Lavita Williams

My CSTA Story

I joined CSTA in 2016 when I started teaching computer science and was the only CS teacher in my school. I was seeking a supportive community and professional development to strengthen my teaching and bring relevant skills to my students. CSTA gave me the resources, connections, and confidence to grow. I later led my district’s CS professional learning community and now serve as the Computer Science Program Lead at the Georgia Department of Education, where I advocate for equitable access to high-quality CS education while remaining rooted in the community that started it all.

My Story

Lavita Williams is an experienced educator and passionate advocate for equitable computer science (CS) education. With over 20 years in education, Lavita began teaching computer science in 2016 and quickly recognized the need for a strong professional community and quality professional development. As the only CS teacher in her school—and one of the few in her district—she joined the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) to deepen her content knowledge, refine her teaching practice, and connect with fellow educators across the country.

Her leadership in CS education grew as she led her district’s Computer Science Professional Learning Community, providing support and collaboration opportunities for educators expanding access to CS. Today, Lavita serves as the Computer Science Program Lead at the Georgia Department of Education, where she oversees statewide initiatives, supports educators, and works to ensure all students—regardless of background or zip code—have access to rigorous and relevant CS instruction.

Lavita is a CS4GA backbone member, a graduate of the GaDOE Aspiring Leaders cohort, and a dedicated contributor to state and national efforts to reimagine CS pathways for students. She has developed professional learning resources for school administrators and counselors to better support and promote CS education and regularly presents at conferences, including Georgia EdTech and CS Con.

Lavita’s work is grounded in her belief that computer science is for everyone and that empowering educators is key to unlocking opportunities for all students in our rapidly evolving digital world.