Lauren Bricker

My CSTA Story

I was hired as a High School CS teacher in 2007 with a PhD but no formal teacher training. I was a “team of 1”, struggling to adapt college curriculum to suit my students in an accessible and inclusive way. Fortunately, I heard about the local (Puget Sound) CSTA chapter forming and was invited to join. I have been a member and part of the leadership team in at-large, secretary, treasurer, and president positions since then. CSTA national and local chapters are invaluable communities for educators who teach computing, and I’m so pleased to be a part of them.

My Story

Dr. Lauren Bricker is in her eighth year as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Allen School at the University of Washington after teaching middle and high school Computer Science (CS) for ten years. She primarily teaches Introductory Computing, Interactions Programming, Web Development, and also facilitates CS teacher training workshops.  Her other passions include 3D Modeling and Printing, designing Makerspaces, and Computer Graphics. Dr. Bricker was recognized as one of three GeekWire STEM Educators of the year in May, 2021, was featured as Geekwire’s “Geek of the Week” in January, 2012, has been invited to give talks at Ignite Seattle, NerdNite, Fremont Women in Tech, and Maker Faire Seattle, and was interviewed as part of Code.org’s Equity in Computer Science video. She is also the president of the Puget Sound Computer Science Teacher’s Association, a chapter of ACM’s CSTA, and serves on their board of directors as the University Representative. Prior to teaching, she worked as a software engineer, consultant and manager for companies large and small. Dr. Bricker holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from University of Washington, and B.S. in Theoretical Math from the University of Michigan. When not working she’ll either be found on her bicycle or running, with a cat on her lap while crafting (mostly knitting or crocheting), or with her family.