The CSTA Teacher Inquiry Groups are a semester-long program that combines asynchronous online PD with facilitated bi-monthly community of practice (CoPs) sessions that engage a consistent group of CS educators in discussing identity-inclusive CS topics, practicing safe conversations, and building community. These facilitator-led sessions will help teachers better understand topics in a more intimate environment than traditional PD, allowing them to collaborate and engage in deep conversations with other group members. 

We are accepting applications for the Spring 2025 program through December 2, 2024.

Approach & Goals

Each month, participants will complete portions of the asynchronous Identity Inclusion for K-12 CS Educators online PD course before they discuss related content at the synchronous Community of Practice (CoPs) sessions. This hybrid approach allows participants with varying understanding of identity-inclusive topics to learn foundational topics without impacting the pace and learning experience of the overall inquiry group. Participants will practice engaging in safe and courageous conversations about equity issues impacting their classrooms and communities. 

This experience will prepare teachers to meet the following objectives:

  • Get to know yourself and how your intersectionality translates to privilege and marginalization.
  • Explore the race construct and examine the cycle of oppression.
  • Reflect on race perspectives & facilitate safe conversations.
  • Combat implicit biases and promote inclusivity.
Benefits
  • Participate in PD to develop equitable and inclusive teaching practices
  • Develop and deepen relationships with other CS educators in your region
  • Receive a $500 stipend, plus some great swag
Responsibilities
  • Complete portions of asynchronous online PD before each community of practice meeting (about 4 hours x 3 months = 12 hours total)
  • Actively participate in community of practice sessions (about 10 hours total, see schedules below)
  • Create an action plan to implement identity inclusive practices in your classroom

Schedule

CSTA will host two Teacher Inquiry Groups in the 2024-2025 school year. The cohorts will meet twice per month on Wednesday evenings (6 x 1.5 hours each). See the table below for the specific dates for the CoP meetings.

Fall 2024
  • Wednesday, Sept. 25 – Kick-Off Sesion
  • Wednesday, Oct. 9 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Oct. 23 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Nov. 6 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Nov. 20 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Dec. 18 – CoP Meeting
Spring 2025
  • Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 – Kick-Off Session
  • Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025 – CoP Meeting
  • Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – CoP Meeting

Eligibility Criteria

  • Current K-12 teacher who teaches or integrates computer science
    OR: another educator role who works closely with K-12 computer science teachers
  • Willingness and ability to meet the responsibilities listed above
  • Interest in developing one’s own equity-related knowledge/skills
  • Ability to critically self-reflect

FAQs

Program Support

Alliance for Identity Inclusive Computing Education logoThis program is a project of the Alliance for Identity Inclusive Computing Education (AiiCE), led by Dr. Nicki Washington and Dr. Shani Daily at Duke University. It is supported by Alliance members who are leading training projects on identity-inclusive computing topics.NSF Logo

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2118453. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.