April Pelfrey is a cybersecurity educator at the Fulton County Schools Innovation Academy; she previously taught for eight years with Gwinnett County Public Schools. A second-career teacher, April draws on 15 years of experience as a US Department of Defense contractor specializing in geospatial intelligence. In the summer of 2023, April furthered her mission of equitable CS education by teaching computer science and robotics in Tanzania through the Fulbright Fellowship. April holds a master’s degree in workforce education and is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments that empower the next generation of technology leaders.
During her time with Gwinnett County Public Schools, April taught at a school (Duluth High School) where more than half of the students were multilingual learners (MLLs). Many MLL students were struggling in introductory computer science courses, and their challenges were exacerbated by state-level changes that required an even more accelerated learning process, with the first two classes in the CS pathway being combined into a single course.
Determined not to let her students lose their joy for CS, April worked with the curriculum assistant principal to design and pilot an introductory software course specifically for MLL students, which allowed students to engage with the material at a pace that would accommodate their language needs. April also made it a priority to foster a culture of inclusivity and support within her department, understanding that teacher buy-in was crucial to building an environment that would allow MLL students to thrive.
But April didn’t stop with just the resources she could offer on her own. Knowing that systemic change requires collective effort, she’s worked to build both capacity and community for her students. She worked with the county to bring in professional development tailored to supporting MLL students in career, technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) pathways. The pilot version of this PD was offered at Duluth High School. Since then, April says, “I saw a more intentional approach to supporting MLL students, with teachers integrating strategies from the professional development into their daily instruction.”
April has led district-wide IT advisory board meetings to ensure that her district’s CS pathways were in alignment with industry standards and helped build an in-house CS endorsement course to train and prepare more CS teachers in the district. She also planned and facilitated the Girls in Technology series of webinars, which reached students across the district. Featuring panelists of women from various STEM and CS careers, these webinars aim to inspire and encourage girls to pursue their STEM and CS journeys, emboldened by the example of role models who reflect their own backgrounds.
As a CSTA Equity Fellow, April wants to develop new skills and build on her past successes. She’s eager to expand her network of equity-minded CS professionals, learn how to scale up successful programs, gain insight into emerging trends in the field, and grow as a leader and advocate. “Building these connections will allow me to share insights, learn from others’ experiences, and potentially collaborate on innovative projects that address common challenges,” she says.
One effort that April hopes to pursue is the creation of a peer-led national network for teachers who teach MLL students. She’d like to develop a repository of lesson plans, instructional strategies, and assessment tools, all created to meet the specific educational needs of MLL students. The network would bring together CS professionals who work with this student population, offering virtual workshops and webinars to allow teachers across the country to support each other and share best practices.
“My practice of supporting computer science education,” says April, “is about ensuring that every student, regardless of background or language proficiency, has access to quality education and the support they need to succeed.”
