2024 CSforALL Summit

Vivian Dinh

High School Senior

New Berlin West High School

I'm a current high school senior at New Berlin West High School planning on majoring in Computer Science for college. I've taken CS classes since middle school.

• 2:40 - 3:55 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  The Next Generation of Tech: A Student's Perspective

Allison Scott

CEO

Kapor Center

Dr. Allison Scott is the CEO of the Kapor Foundation, which focuses at the intersection of racial justice and technology and works to remove barriers in access and opportunity, such that the promise and potential of technology can be harnessed to create a more equitable future. At the Foundation, Dr. Scott leads a team which works to: (a) expand equity in K-12 computer science education, (b) expand diversity within tech companies and VC firms, and (c) advance key policies to transform the technology ecosystem. The work of the Foundation under her leadership spans areas including research, strategic grantmaking, advocacy, and investing. Dr. Scott is currently a Principal Investigator on multiple national grants to expand equity in computer science education and in her previous role as the Chief Research Officer, authored foundational research on disparities in tech, inequity in CS education, and interventions to improve STEM education outcomes for students of color. Previous positions included: Chief Research Officer at the Kapor Center; Program Leader for the National Institutes of Health’s Enhancing the Diversity of the Biomedical Workforce Initiative; Director of Research and Evaluation for the Level Playing Field Institute, and Data Analyst for the Education Trust-West. Dr. Scott holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hampton University.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  From Leaders in the Community: Challenges and Opportunities for CS Education

Daniel Voloch

Chief Program Officer

Girls Who Code

Daniel joined Girls Who Code in 2021 as their first Chief Program Officer, and in this role he oversees programs spanning elementary grades through early career and reaching over 100,000 students each year. Prior to joining Girls Who Code, Daniel served as the Vice President of Curriculum and Instruction for New Visions for Public Schools, where he supported the development of full-course high school curricula and curriculum-based professional learning. He also held a variety of positions at the City University of New York, including as the director of a dual enrollment program in the South Bronx and as the founding director of a citywide program preparing community college-bound students. He began his career as a history and English teacher. Daniel holds a B.A. in English from Columbia University, an M.A. in English from Brown University, and a Ph.D. in urban education with a concentration in education policy and leadership from the CUNY Graduate Center.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  From Leaders in the Community: Challenges and Opportunities for CS Education

Tamika Tretu

Vice President of Programs

Black Girls Code

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  From Leaders in the Community: Challenges and Opportunities for CS Education

Jake Baskin

Executive Director

Computer Science Teachers Association

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  From Leaders in the Community: Challenges and Opportunities for CS Education

Danny Shapiro

Chief Program Officer

Mouse.org

Danny Shapiro is the Chief Program Officer at Mouse, a nonprofit dedicated to disrupting opportunities for students in tech. He has led educators through large scale change and community professional development initiatives from the public, private, and nonprofit education sectors. He began as a middle school teacher in 2012 in Oakland, California after transitioning from a previous career in international development. Danny has dedicated his career to helping educators feel supported and sustainable, so that students succeed. Danny lives in Philadelphia with his husband Carl and their two cats, Bobby & Whitney.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  AI Education: Developing Explainable AI for Teachers, Students, and Policymakers

Sean Roberts

Vice President, U.S. Strategy

Code.org

Sean Roberts is the Vice President of US Strategy for Code.org. His goal is to ensure every student in the US has access to foundational computer science, and leads the policy, acquisitions, and program teams for the organization. Under Sean's leadership, the majority of US states now require computer science to be taught in their schools. Prior to joining Code.org, Sean led nonprofits on state and local levels that shaped policy through strong partnerships, research-based best practices, and innovation. He began his career as a paraprofessional in the classroom, is a Leadership for Educational Equity Fellow, and a baseball writer in his spare time.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  AI Education: Developing Explainable AI for Teachers, Students, and Policymakers

Nadiyah Johnson, PhD

CEO

Jet Constellations & Milky Way Tech Hub

Nadiyah Johnson is a 3x graduate of Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a master’s degree in computational science and a Ph.D. in computer science. Her doctoral research focuses on artificial intelligence and has granted her recognition at several conferences around the globe. She currently serves as a professor in the computer science department at Marquette.

Nadiyah’s passion for diversity in STEM fueled the launch of her company, Jet Constellations, a Milwaukee-based technology company. Jet Constellations’ social impact initiative, the Milky Way Tech Hub, functions to promote racial diversity in the tech industry through STEM education and entrepreneurship programming as well as building a nurturing ecosystem of diverse techies and entrepreneurs.

As the founder of a for-profit company as well as an impact-driven initiative, Nadiyah is propelled by a desire to uplift her community, including the 53206 ZIP code in Milwaukee, which incarcerates the most Black men in the nation. Her efforts currently focus on educational and technological investments, and she aspires to one day replicate this model in other communities around the U.S. She is currently realizing the vision of Milwaukee as the “Milky Way Tech Hub,” a tech ecosystem that represents and serves all parts of Milwaukee’s diverse population.

Prior to launching Jet Constellations and the Milky Way Tech Hub, Nadiyah worked at GE HealthCare as a technical product manager with a specialty in data science. In 2020, Nadiyah was named to the Milwaukee Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list, and in 2022, she was given one of the same publication’s Diversity in Business awards. In 2022, Nadiyah and her company were recipients of the Jrue & Lauren Holiday Fund’s Social Impact Fund grant.

In her free time, Nadiyah is an artist. She enjoys painting on canvas as well as creating digital art; she occasionally sells her art in pop-up shops and at local art fairs. When she is not painting or working in the community, she is spending quality time with her family, likely beating them at chess.

• 9:30 - 10:45 AM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  2024 Summit Main Stage Kicks Off

Sofía De Jesús

Associate Program Manager, CMU CS Academy

Carnegie Mellon University

Sofía De Jesús is the author of Applied Computational Thinking with Python, a practical book for developers that includes chapters on machine learning and artificial intelligence and which published its second edition in December of 2023. She is an educator with over 24 years of experience both in the classroom and in educational publishing, working as a Mathematics and Computational Thinking teacher as well as an Editorial Director throughout her career. She has built STEM/STEAM programs and Computational Thinking programs in schools as a teacher and developed curriculum and assessments for multiple national and international organizations. She is currently the Associate Program Manager for CMU CS Academy, where she leads the Spanish translation initiatives and has expanded her work in equity and accessibility. She is a 23-24 CSTA Equity Fellow. Sofía earned a BS in General Sciences with a concentration in Mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico, and an MS in Teacher Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton. She also completed 64 credit hours for an EdD program in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction (abd). Sofía has presented in multiple national and international conferences, including (but not limited to) SXSW Edu, EDULEARN, CSTA, NSTA, and FETC. Her areas of interest, research, and advocacy include ethical Artificial Intelligence implementation in K12, broadening participation in computing, equitable CS classrooms, and building language-inclusive classrooms.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  AI Education: Developing Explainable AI for Teachers, Students, and Policymakers

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  Creating a Community of Practice: A Working Group On Identity in the Field of K-12 CS Education

Rachel Wilson

Fifth Year CS Student at Carnegie Mellon University

CMU CS Academy

Rachel Wilson is a passionate computer scientist, educator, and language-learner. After four years studying computer science with a minor in Spanish, Wilson is dedicating her Fifth Year Scholarship to studying the effects of a speaker's native language on the process of learning to code. Her research is in part inspired by the translation and teaching work she has done with CMU CS Academy, who translate their CS curricula to Spanish. As an aspiring professor of computer science herself, Wilson hopes to understand the perspectives often left out of the CS Educational landscape, and use that to shape the future of Computer Science!

• 2:40 - 3:55 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  The Next Generation of Tech: A Student's Perspective

Teddy Lampert

High School Junior

Congressional App Challenge

Teddy Lampert is a high school junior at the Latin School of Chicago interested in computer science and AI. He serves as a co-head of his school's Tech Club, and as a Digital Editor for his school newspaper The Forum. Furthermore, he is a member of his school's First Tech Challenge robotics team, and his school's CyberPatriot team. Teddy is a Congressional App Challenge alumni, having won in Illinois' 5th district in 2022 for his app WeRecycle, which taught kids how to recycle through a series of games. He has remained involved in the Congressional App Challenge as a Director of Content Development for Debugged, the challenge's official alumni podcast. Additionally, he is a winner of the 2024 Apple Swift Student Challenge for his app Beepo CV, which helps demystify the inner workings of AI through an interactive experience that culminates in making your own image recognition model.

• 2:40 - 3:55 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  The Next Generation of Tech: A Student's Perspective

Maria Camarena

Computer Science Teacher

Maywood Center for Enriched Studies

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - E

  Reimagining High School Computer Science Pathways

Jake Koressel

K-12 Standards Project Manager

Computer Science Teachers Association

Jake Koressel is a former high school CS teacher and state department of education CS lead. He currently serves as the K-12 Standards Project Manager at the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) where he is leading the CSTA K-12 Standards revision process. Jake is also pursuing his PhD from Indiana University where his research interests focus on state CS education policy and barriers to equitable K-12 CS education implementation.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - E

  Reimagining High School Computer Science Pathways

Joe Meléndez

Program Leader, SCRIPT

CSforALL

Joe A. Meléndez, SCRIPT Program Lead, specializes in broadening STEM and Computer Science access through community-driven methods. As the former Director of K12 Coaching Initiatives at Cornell Tech, he spearheaded the K12 Computer Science Coaching Toolkit, conducted coaching workshops, and supported stakeholders in CS education. With vast experience in curriculum design and program management, Joe has held positions at the NYC Department of Education, ExpandED Schools, New York Academy of Sciences, and Liberty Science Center. His commitment to equitable CS education and collaboration has led to lasting, positive impacts on students, teachers, and schools.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  SWOT Analysis of School Districts’ Engagement and Implementation of CS

Tina Lemmens

Math and Digital Learning Specialist

CESA7

Tina Lemmens, an advocate for computer science education for all learners, has 30 years of experience in the education field serving as a secondary mathematics and computer science teacher, instructional coach, and regional education leader. As a Cooperative Learning Educational Service Math and Digital Learning Specialist, Tina collaborates with both state and district partners in building educator capacity around computer science leadership, standard alignment, instructional resource adoption and implementation, as well as equitable instructional strategies through the facilitation of professional development workshops, professional learning networks, and individualized coaching. As a regional computer science leader and CS4ALL SCRIPT facilitator, Tina supports districts in building individualized targeted equitable K-12 computer science programming.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  SWOT Analysis of School Districts’ Engagement and Implementation of CS

Amy Bires

Computer Science and Digital Learning Innovation Consultant

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Amy is the Computer Science and Digital Learning Education Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. She enjoys connecting with educators to hear about their experiences and find ways to assist in integrating CS and digital learning into the classroom, even if it is one lesson plan at a time.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  SWOT Analysis of School Districts’ Engagement and Implementation of CS

Gwen Moore

Congresswoman

Wisconsin

Congresswoman Gwen Moore was elected to represent Wisconsin’s 4th Congressional District in 2004, making her the first African American elected to Congress from the State of Wisconsin. She is a member of the esteemed House Ways and Means Committee, which is the oldest committee in the United States Congress and has jurisdiction over the Social Security system, Medicare, the Foster Care System, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Unemployment Insurance, and all taxation, tariffs, and revenue-raising measures. She serves on the Tax, Oversight, and Work and Welfare Subcommittees. She also serves on the Joint Economic Committee.
A strong advocate for measures that focus on improving the economic and employment conditions in low-income communities, she has fought to curb predatory lending in minority neighborhoods, led efforts to help small businesses grow and advance the creation of new jobs, pushed for affordable housing, and advocated for compliance with respect to the non-discriminatory hiring of minority-owned businesses for government contracts.
She has been an ardent supporter of initiatives that put low-income students on the path to educational success. The Congresswoman has consistently supported legislation to ensure low-income students have school access to three nutritious meals a day, year-round, as good nutrition has been proven to improve children’s attendance and attentiveness. Congresswoman Moore is an alumnus and strong advocate for the Federal TRIO programs, which are designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds and help them get to college. TRIO includes six outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students – and students with disabilities – to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1951, Congresswoman Moore was raised in Milwaukee. The eighth of nine children, Congresswoman Moore’s father was a union factory worker, and her mother was a public-school teacher. Congresswoman Moore attended North Division High School in Milwaukee, where she served as Student Council President. After graduation, she started college at Marquette University as a single, expectant mother on welfare who could only complete her education with the help of TRIO. Congresswoman Moore earned a B.A. in Political Science from Marquette and went on to serve as a community leader spearheading the start-up of a community credit union as a VISTA volunteer for which she earned the national “VISTA Volunteer of the Decade” award from 1976-1986. She was also a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate before serving in Congress.
She served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1993-2004. Prior to her election to the Senate, Congresswoman Moore served two consecutive terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1989-1992. In 2000, Congresswoman Moore earned a Harvard University Certificate for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. As a state legislator, Congresswoman Moore was a champion for progressive and social issues and has continued to stand up as a voice for every constituent and region across the city. She applied her career expertise to help create jobs and build communities. She made a positive impact in critical issues related to welfare, education, and criminal justice. A tireless advocate for women's rights and civil rights, Congresswoman Moore led the fight against racial profiling, domestic abuse, and voting rights violations.

• 9:30 - 10:45 AM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  2024 Summit Main Stage Kicks Off

Amy Pechacek

Secretary

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek has focused her career on public service, with an emphasis on government administration strategy, and crisis and risk management. Before joining DWD in September 2020, she served as Deputy Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and previously directed numerous public programs for Milwaukee County.
Amy's early efforts at DWD turned the tide on a backlog of unemployment insurance benefit claims that arose during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, through her leadership, the department is continuing its comprehensive modernization efforts – improving customer service with tools ranging from machine learning and multi-language translation to an ongoing overhaul of a decades-old mainframe system.
During her tenure, Wisconsin's economy has achieved record low unemployment, a record high number of jobs, and a labor force participation rate that has remained at least 2 percentage points above the national average. Thanks to Gov. Tony Evers' historic investment in workforce development, Amy has integrated strategic new initiatives with longstanding DWD programs to reduce employment barriers and address a worker quantity challenge arising from demographic trends that have been decades in the making.
She received her master's degree in public policy and public administration from Northwestern University and her undergraduate degree from UW-Madison in sociology and criminal justice. Amy is also a graduate of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service's Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia.

• 9:30 - 10:45 AM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  2024 Summit Main Stage Kicks Off

Tania Mishra

Junior at Marquette University (Class of 2026), Founder and President of Divas in Technology

Divas in Technology, Marquette University

Tania Mishra is a current junior at Marquette University, where she is majoring in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, with minors in Dance and Gender and Sexualities Studies and a certificate in Innovation Leadership. She has founded and is the president of Divas in Technology, a non-profit organization aimed to lead more girls into the tech field. Through this organization, she has run multiple introductory coding programs for middle and upper elementary schoolers. Tania has been interested in technology since her first digital exploration class in 6th grade. Since then, she has been involved in multiple programs focused on empowering and inspiring girls in tech, such as ProjectCSGirls and Girls Who Code. Tania is also a 2021 National Winner and 3-times Wisconsin Affiliate winner for NCWIT's Aspirations in Computing Award. She has interned at Northwestern Mutual as a high schooler and college student. This past summer, she studied abroad in South Korea to broaden her educational experience and better understand other cultures.

• 2:40 - 3:55 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  The Next Generation of Tech: A Student's Perspective

Dr. Jill Underly

Superintendent

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Dr. Jill Underly was elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction on April 6th, 2021. Dr. Underly has a deep background in public education, since 1999, she has worked in all facets of public education: at the college level, but also at both the state and district levels as a teacher and administrator.

With over twenty-five years of public education experience, Dr. Underly has been committed to ensuring that every child, every day, has the opportunity for a first-class public education in the State of Wisconsin.

Dr. Underly received bachelor’s degrees in history and sociology from Indiana University-Bloomington, master’s degrees from both IUPUI and UW Madison, and her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the parent of two children, both in high school, and she lives with her family in southwestern Wisconsin.

• 9:30 - 10:45 AM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  2024 Summit Main Stage Kicks Off

Joshua Childs

Associate Professor

University of Texas at Austin

Joshua Childs is an assistant professor in the Educational Policy and Planning program in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. His research examines the role of inter-organizational networks and cross-sector collaborations to address complex educational issues. He also investigates collaborative approaches involving organizations (local, state, and national) that have the potential to improve academic achievement and opportunities for students in urban and rural schools. This includes ways to improve student engagement and attendance in school, interscholastic athletics, and expanding educational opportunities through concentrated policy design and implementation.

Joshua graduated from Plano West High School, ran track & field and received a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Tulsa, earned an M.A. in Education Foundations, Policy, and Practice from University of Colorado-Boulder, and PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy from the University of Pittsburgh.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Moving Beyond Access: Using CS Education Frameworks to Set Goals to Impact BPC

Kalisha Davis

Project Director

Kapor Foundation

Kalisha Davis serves on Kapor’s Equity Program Team, guiding initiatives that strive to achieve equity in K12 computer science education. Her current work includes conceptualizing the CSforDetroit Initiative – a multi-year endeavor designed to create culturally responsive learning practices in CS learning environments, both in school and out. She is the former Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at the Detroit Historical Society where she co-created the now nationally award-winning initiative, Detroit 67 Project: Looking Back to Move Forward. A legacy Detroiter, she returned home in 2015 and continues to live and serve in the community.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Moving Beyond Access: Using CS Education Frameworks to Set Goals to Impact BPC

Monica McGill

Founder/CEO

Institute for Advancing Computing Education

Monica McGill, EdD, founded the non-profit research institute, Institute for Advancing Computing Education, to advance K-12 computer science education for all children through evidence. Monica earned her B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, M.S. in Computer Science from George Washington University, and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University. Prior to forming IACE, she worked for several years in industry as a computer scientist and then as a twice-tenured professor of computer science and game design/development for over 15 years. Monica blends her experiences working in industry with her experiences conducting equity-focused education research to break down barriers for students and enable research and retention of marginalized students. She has been conducting computing education research for over a decade. She has authored/co-authored over 80 articles related to computing education and is currently working as a primary investigator on several National Science Foundation (NSF) grants exploring CS education in the US. She also served as inaugural chair for the ACM-W North America committee, as a member of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Board and Sjögren’s Foundation board and as an associate editor of the ACM Transactions on Computing Education.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Moving Beyond Access: Using CS Education Frameworks to Set Goals to Impact BPC

Shana V. White

Director, CS Equity Initiatives

Kapor Foundation

Shana V. White is the Director, CS Equity Initiatives at the Kapor Center. Shana is a passionate educator who works as an advocate for marginalized groups in education and has an unwavering commitment to providing opportunities for historically marginalized students to engage in unique and relevant learning experiences. She believes in purposeful disruption of the status quo and encourages teachers to exercise autonomy and humanize schools for students. At the Kapor Center, she leads, advocates for, and supports local and national level work around culturally responsive-sustaining computer science pedagogy, teacher professional development, K12 CS curricula, racial justice work in K12 computer science education, and equitable K12 computer science school/district partnerships.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Moving Beyond Access: Using CS Education Frameworks to Set Goals to Impact BPC

Alexa Fradella

Vice President, Tech for Social Good

JPMorgan Chase

Alexa Fradella is a Vice President on the Tech for Social Good team at JPMorganChase. Tech for Social Good drives impact in the social sector and communities through the skills of JPMorganChase’s tech workforce. She supports the Client Discovery & Advisory Function as well as leads various Ideation & Education programming. Alexa began her career at JPMorganChase in 2015 as an intern and has had various roles within the firm including the Americas Lead for Youth programming and a Program Manager for Force for Good. Outside of work, Alexa enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  JPMorganChase Fireside Chat – Tech for Social Good

Morgan Chumacas

Vice President, Tech for Social Good

JPMorgan Chase

Morgan Chumacas is a Vice President on the Tech for Social Good team at JPMorganChase, supporting the Ideation & Education programming. She joined the JPMorganChase in 2016 with a background in organizational development and learning management. Through her work on the Tech for Social Good team, Morgan aims to help innovate for the social sector and provide hands on educational experiences for our communities. Morgan is based in Jersey City with JPMorganChase and resides in New York. In her free time Morgan enjoys exploring national parks, reading, and finding the best sandwiches across the city.

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  JPMorganChase Fireside Chat – Tech for Social Good

Katie Hendrickson

Chief of Staff

Code.org

Dr. Katie Hendrickson is Chief of Staff for Code.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access to K-12 computer science. She works closely with the President to lead the organization’s strategy and operations. Previously, Dr. Hendrickson served as President of the Code.org Advocacy Coalition, leading government affairs efforts across multiple states. She is a 2024-15 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow and a former secondary mathematics teacher.

• 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  From Leaders in the Community: Challenges and Opportunities for CS Education

Sajal Shukla

Student

University of Illinois Chicago

My name is Sajal, and I am a second-year undergraduate studying computer science at the University of Illinois Chicago. After having so many meaningful experiences pursuing computer science in high school, including participating in the Congressional App Challenge back in 2021, I developed a passion for CS and its applications to healthcare and government. It has also been immensely fulfilling to be able to advocate for diversity in tech through giving a TEDxYouth talk on reducing the gender gap in STEM back in 2023 and being a part of female empowerment-focused tech student organizations at my high school and college campuses.

• 2:40 - 3:55 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  The Next Generation of Tech: A Student's Perspective

Michael Jaber

Coordinator of Instructional Technology

Sheboygan Area School District

Michael Jaber, AKA “GoogleMan,” has been in education since 1994, teaching subjects such as U.S. History, Civics, World Studies, and Psychology at the middle and high school levels. In 2013 he joined the Sheboygan Area School District in Wisconsin to lead them as their Technology Coordinator and brought “Google Goodness” with him. Michael loves learning about new technologies and resources that can be utilized in classrooms, as well as working with staff and students on making classroom instruction meaningful and enjoyable! He has partnered closely with the Google Edu Team over the past 14 years to fully leverage the power of Google in the EDU space, as well as being a leading advocate of using Chromebooks in the classroom nationally. Michael is a Google Certified Trainer and Google Innovator and has done several nationally broadcasted webinars along with presenting at numerous conferences. Michael is always on the cutting edge of new technologies and always brings them to his district so that teachers and students can be exposed to new ways of learning!

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  LEGO Education Fireside Chat — Enhancing Learning Outcomes: Hands-On Learning in Computer Science Across Age Groups

Dr. Jenny Nash

Director, Educational Impact

LEGO Education

Dr. Jenny Nash serves as Head of Education Impact in the U.S. for LEGO® Education, where she provides leadership in delivering meaningful learning experiences for students. As an advocate for playful hands-on learning, she is focused on instilling confidence in learning in students and teachers to build academic and 21st-century skills that will create active, collaborative, lifelong learners.

She has worked in various levels of education, including as a K-12 STEM teacher, teaching at the university level, professional development provider, and educational specialist. Dr. Jenny has presented at SXSW EDU, ISTE, CSTA, and NSTA among others; been quoted in publications such as Fast Company, TODAY, and District Administration; and was recognized as an Influential Woman in STEM and Tech.

Dr. Nash received her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Florida, along with her master’s in teaching and bachelor’s in accounting from Marshall University. Dr. Nash is based in Wisconsin and enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  LEGO Education Fireside Chat — Enhancing Learning Outcomes: Hands-On Learning in Computer Science Across Age Groups

Dr. Leanna Prater

Sr. Professional Learning Manager

LEGO Education

As the Professional Learning Services Manager for the US, Leanna helps provide thought leadership and strategic solutioning for professional learning to support educators in bringing hands on playful learning to their classrooms. She is a former elementary teacher, district technology specialist and adjunct professor at Georgetown College in KY. In 2015, she was named Kentucky Outstanding Technology Leader. Leanna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Charleston, a Master of Arts in Education/Gifted Education from Georgetown College, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Administration with a focus on Instructional Systems Design from the University of Kentucky. As an advocate for STEM and computer science for all, she enjoys supporting classroom teachers and students in areas such as robotics and creative computing.

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  LEGO Education Fireside Chat — Enhancing Learning Outcomes: Hands-On Learning in Computer Science Across Age Groups

Amy Dekker

Instructional Technology Coach

Sheboygan Area School District

Amy Dekker is an Instructional Technology Coach with the Sheboygan Area School District, where she supports 10 schools, from 4-year-old kindergarten to high school seniors. With four years in her current role, Amy brings extensive experience from her previous teaching positions across elementary, middle, and high school levels. She is also a proud LEGO Education Ambassador, promoting innovative learning through hands-on educational tools.

• 4:00 - 5:00 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  LEGO Education Fireside Chat — Enhancing Learning Outcomes: Hands-On Learning in Computer Science Across Age Groups

Aman Yadav

Lappan-Phillips Professor of Computing Education

Michigan State University

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Moving Beyond Access: Using CS Education Frameworks to Set Goals to Impact BPC

Alicia Verweij

School & Community Partnerships Manager

Maker Maven

Alicia Verweij is a seasoned educator with various published works who is passionate about teaching children to think critically and problem-solve in preparation for future careers. She is committed to collaborative, engaging learning techniques and assisting educators in implementing them. In addition to decades of classroom experience, she holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership, a B.S. in Business Management, and an endorsement in Gifted Education and Business. She has received numerous grants and awards for her success in the classroom. She continues to share her passion for integrating STEM and Project-based learning at local, state, regional, national, and international levels. She has leveraged her expertise to make EdTech practical for all as an educational influencer and founder of EDGEucating LLC and School and Community Partnerships Manager for Maker Maven.

• 1:15 - 2:30 PM, October 24, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  AI Education: Developing Explainable AI for Teachers, Students, and Policymakers

Dr. Muhsinah L. Morris

Director; CEO/Founder

Morehouse Metaverse Programs; Metaverse United

Metaversity Director, XR/AI SME, Innovator, Chemist, Educator, Speaker, Autism Advocate, Author, Wife, Mom

Meet the first-ever Metaversity Director, Dr. Muhsinah Lateefah Morris. She is a Morehouse Professor and Director of Morehouse in the Metaverse. She is a proud member of the inaugural HBCU IP Futures Collaborative: Powered by Michelson IP and inaugural HBCU Faculty Fellow for the Propel Center funded by Southern Company and Apple. A BS chemistry graduate of the HBCU Clark Atlanta University. She obtained an MS & PhD from the Harvard of the South, Emory University in Biomolecular Chemistry. Dr. Morris has been part of and leading Morehouse’s Metaversity project since the Spring of 2021. She’s won awards for Teaching Excellence at Morehouse College, Best Emerging Technology and Innovation from CBRE, First Place Unconventional Innovation in Industry by T-Mobile, and Educator of the Year for 2022 by STEM Women Atlanta. She resides in McDonough GA with her husband and five sons. One of her sons has autism and she advocates for the entire autism community as a member of the Community Advisory Council and advocacy Ambassadors for Autism Speaks. She’s a VR pioneer in education and is transforming learning globally. She is affectionately known as Dr. M.O.M. (Molder of Minds) by all her students. She continues to mold the minds of educators and students globally in the Metaverse. She is a member of the XR Advisory Council for the XR Association and Futurist Council for Jobs for the Future (JFF). A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she was named a Top 100 Woman of the Future for 2023 by Women of the Future, and has been featured on CNN International, The Next Frontier. As the 2024 XR Women Global’s Trailblazer of the Year, her goal is to authentically transform the educational system for our future leaders using emerging technologies like XR and AI. She currently trains both pre-service and in-service educators on how to create and optimize their own institutional Metaverse Culture. More recently, she founded Metaverse United, LLC where she helps people find where they belong in the embodiment of the internet called the Metaverse. Learn more at UnitetheMetaverse.com.

• 11:45 AM - 1:30 PM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  Mainstage Activities Begin

Trina Clark James

Microsoft

Microsoft Philanthropies- TEALS East & Partner Lead

Trina Clark James, a native of St. Louis who grew up in the Ville neighborhood, is the TEALS East & Partner Lead for the Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS (Technology Education and Learning Support) Program. Based in Atlanta, GA, she leads the expansion and strategic execution of the TEALS Program across the eastern half of the United States helping to build and grow equitable computer science (CS) education programs in high schools.

She joined Microsoft following four years as the Regional Director for NPower St. Louis where she first combined her two professional paths in computer technology and public education to lead the efforts of expanding and growing the free IT training program for under-resourced young adults into the St. Louis community.

Prior to NPower, she worked in urban public education as the Founder/CEO of Jamaa Learning Center, the Executive Director of St. Louisans United To Attract KIPP (SUTAK), and as a Broad Resident at St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS).

She began her career in the San Francisco Bay Area as an engineer at Solectron then at Pinnacle Systems. She spent the majority of her engineering career in a variety of roles at Apple Computer, Inc.

She earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, a MS in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University, and an MBA at University of California, Davis.

She is a proud mother to three beautiful and bright children- Khalani, Liya, and Rhadi. She credits her drive and accomplishments to the love and support of her grandparents, parents, siblings, and children and her faith in God.

• 8:45 - 9:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  Microsoft Fireside Chat

Megan Kearns

picoCTF Program Director

Carnegie Mellon University

Megan Kearns, a University of Pittsburgh graduate, has been with Carnegie Mellon University's CyLab Security and Privacy Institute since 2011. Since leading picoCTF in 2017, she has transformed it from a stand alone annual competition into a dynamic, year-round cybersecurity education platform. Now, participants can continuously learn, practice, and compete, making picoCTF a global hub for students interested in cybersecurity. Megan’s leadership has expanded the program's reach and impact, helping to shape the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

• 12:30 PM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  Cybersecurity Students Share Their Stories

Sophia Liu

Computer Science Student

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

I am a junior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Technology & Management at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). My academic interests focus on computer security, automation, and cybersecurity education. As the former President of my university's Women in CyberSecurity student chapter, I led initiatives to foster knowledge sharing and professional development. Currently, I am conducting security research on email spoofing at UIUC. This past summer, I interned as a Security Engineer at Microsoft, where I automated methods to improve OS security. As an Alumni Advisory Board member for the Congressional App Challenge, I work to enhance the alumni experience by organizing technical workshops and community events. I have participated in several cybersecurity panels and enjoy guiding aspiring students in cybersecurity.

• 12:30 PM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  Cybersecurity Students Share Their Stories

Vaidehi Ramachandrula

Computer Science Panelist

NCWIT

Vaidehi is a Junior at Brookfield Central, where she has been pursuing her passion for technology since elementary school. She enjoys exploring the vast realm of computer science by being part of programs such as the MKE Tech Hub Internship, NCWIT, and FTC Robotics. Beyond her academic pursuits, Vaidehi is a strong advocate for educational equity, especially when it comes to technology and computer science. She has volunteered for the Divas in Technology Program and she is a leader in the North South Foundation organization, where she helps provide scholarships for underrepresented students in India. Vaidehi enjoys dancing, which she has been doing for 11 years. Recently, she gave a solo recital where she raised $4,000 for Ovarian Cancer research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, which helps fund medical AI research. In the future, Vaidehi aspires to become a data scientist, specifically focusing on medical AI, while continuing to be a learner and leader in computer science.

• 12:30 PM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  Cybersecurity Students Share Their Stories

Taylor McCampbell

Information Security Master's Student

Carnegie Mellon University

Taylor is an Information Security Master's Student at Carnegie Mellon heavily involved in picoCTF outreach through GenCyber. He also enjoys learning about systems security and exploring different food cultures.

• 12:30 PM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  Cybersecurity Students Share Their Stories

Dr. Laurie Salvail

Executive Director

CYBER.ORG

Laurie leads the CYBER.ORG team as they seek to bring cyber education to all K-12 teachers across the United States. She has over 12 years classroom experience and has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Louisiana State University. She is passionate about implementing innovative research-based strategies to impact education across the country.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  Cyber.org Fireside Chat — Sparking Conversations around Student Online Safety

Dr. Dominick Sanders

Co-Founder & Managing Partner

Sanders and Summers

Dr. Dominick Sanders is an experienced educational leader with a proven track record in developing and implementing innovative programs. He is the co-founder of Sanders and Summers, alongside Ron Summers, with the mission of transforming educational experiences through strategic systems leadership. With a strong passion for non-profit work, Dr. Sanders has successfully led initiatives at organizations such as Code Nation (Chief Product and Program Officer), the South Carolina Department of Education (Computer Science State Supervisor), and Vanderbilt University. His efforts have consistently driven positive change, improving student outcomes through the development of impactful educational programs.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - E

  Leveraging the APCEPI Framework: A Tactical Roadmap for System-level Equitable CS and AI Education Strategy

Ron Summers

Cofounder & Managing Director

Sanders and Summers

Ron Summers is the co-founder of Sanders & Summers, LLC. He brings extensive leadership expertise from his twenty-year career in the K-12 education and technology sectors. As CEO of Code Nation, Ron was charged with turning around a company that publicly was thriving, but was failing internally and had limited time left. After launching an executive plan to assess the health of the org and its future viability, he successfully implemented a “graceful wind down” strategy that dissolved the company, honored the legacy of the work, and completed all school year commitments to students. Prior to Code Nation, Ron worked at the NYC Department of Education for 17 years, where he last served as the Executive Director of Computer Science Education, overseeing the 10-year CS4ALL initiative, the largest public-private strategic partnership ($80M) for CS Education in the United States. He led the organization’s long-term strategy to operationalize connected K-12 programming and student learning across 1,800 schools to reach the city’s 1 million students. His work increased access to CS offerings from about 5% in 2016 to 91% in 2022. He currently is a strategic advisor to government, school districts, and organizations specializing in CS & AI education, career pathways, and strategic planning and implementation. He believes that we can’t solve equitable access alone, so he’s always willing to help.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - E

  Leveraging the APCEPI Framework: A Tactical Roadmap for System-level Equitable CS and AI Education Strategy

Charlene Cooper

Director of Curriculum

CYBER.ORG

Charlene Cooper is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Early Adolescent Science with over 20 years of experience as a public-school educator. She has a master’s degree in educational leadership and a Cyber Education Graduate Certificate from Louisiana Tech. Charlene taught science, STEM, and robotics in Title One schools. She then served as a middle school Instructional Coach providing instructional support and guidance to teachers with the goal of improving achievement for all students.

As the Director of Curriculum for CYBER.ORG, she leads the curriculum team in creating cybersecurity content and delivering professional development to educators nationwide.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  Cyber.org Fireside Chat — Sparking Conversations around Student Online Safety

Rohit Mittal

Computer Science Student

University of Wisconsin-Madison

I'm Rohit Mittal, a freshman at University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a degree in Computer Science. My interests include web development, cybersecurity, and computer science education. I used to work at Code Ninjas where I taught kids how to code in blocks, JavaScript, and C#. Currently, I am a project developer for a club at Madison where we are collaborating with a nonprofit to build a website for them.

• 12:30 PM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom C

  Cybersecurity Students Share Their Stories

Angela Oechslie

Director, Project>Login

Educate Maine

Angela’s background is in economic and workforce development and has worked on several jobs-related federal grant programs. Through partnership and collaboration she leads the Project>Login program to meet the needs of both students and employers. Angela is a CSforALL SCRIPT facilitator, a regional partner for Code.org, is the community partner for Girls Who Code in Maine, serves on the CSTA Reimagining Pathways project, is a member of the CSTA Maine chapter, and is a Microsoft TechSpark Fellow.

• 8:45 - 9:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  Microsoft Fireside Chat

Katie DiFonzo

St. Joan Antida High School

• 8:45 - 9:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Ballroom B

  Microsoft Fireside Chat

Alexis Cobo, Ed.D.

Research Fellow

CSforALL

Alexis received her Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Educational Technology at the University of Florida (UF). While at UF, she served as a graduate research assistant at the Creative Technology Research Lab (CTRL) and shared a unique perspective as a practitioner-researcher. Prior to joining CSforALL, Alexis spent eleven of her sixteen years in education, supporting teachers and students integrating computer science (CS) in Elementary education. At CSforALL, Alexis leads research initiatives serving as Principal Investigator (PI) on several National Science Foundation (NSF) grants such as the BPC-Alliance analyzing how members’ actions result in equitable and inclusive student level outcomes across the CS education landscape, and the SCRIPT Crew TN RPP seeking to leverage the CSforALL SCRIPT program across the state of Tennessee in partnership with local practice partners CodeCrew. Alexis’s personal research interests include inclusive and equitable pedagogies as a means to reduce barriers to the inclusion of students with disabilities in K-12 CS education.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  Creating a Community of Practice: A Working Group On Identity in the Field of K-12 CS Education

Bernell Murray

Program Leader, Accelerator

CSforALL

As the Program Lead for the CSforALL Accelerator, Mr. (Bernell) Murray is at the forefront of national efforts to expand computer science education in underserved communities. Focused on locally increasing awareness, building educator capacity, and enhancing student access to interest-driven CS learning opportunities, Mr. Murray leads initiatives that empower students to engage meaningfully with 21st-century technologies.

With expertise in digital transformation and AI integration, Mr. Murray has developed sustainable strategies for expanding equitable access to computer science education in communities nationwide. His work ensures that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to explore and thrive in computer science.

• 9:15 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  Accelerating CS Education with Collaboration and Networking + Special Presentation from The Hidden Genius Project

Jabari Alii

Oakland Site Director

The Hidden Genius Project

Game developer and music composer, Jabari Alii is an Oakland native and the Oakland Site Director at The Hidden Genius Project. He believes in using art and technology to give voice and agency to underserved youth. His work is fueled by a mission to have the Black community play a larger role in the global impact of technology and media. Emerging technology has always been Jabari's passion, as he previously worked as a sound designer for Facebook and a video game design instructor for the David E. Glover Technology Center. In his spare time, Jabari enjoys playing chess and the piano.

• 9:15 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - A

  Accelerating CS Education with Collaboration and Networking + Special Presentation from The Hidden Genius Project

Rudy Escobar

STEM and Computer Science Coordinator

Stanislaus County Office of Education

Rudy is a STEM Coordinator with a proven track record in education, specializing in Computer Science and Science Coaching, as well as STEM PreK-12 Education, Artificial Intelligence, Physical Computing, Robotics, Curriculum Design, and Engineering Project-based Learning. As a Micro:bit Champion, Rudy has made significant contributions to the field of physical computing. Rudy's dedication to advancing STEM and Computer Science education is evident through diverse roles and impactful contributions to the community.
In addition to his educational expertise, Rudy serves as the Technology Manager for CSTA Sacramento and the Communications Manager for CCCUE, actively contributing to CSforCA, AIforCA, and the NGSS Collaborative. His leadership extends both nationally and statewide, holding positions as a CSTA Board at Large and Executive Board representative, CSTA policy committee liaison, 23-24 CSTA Equity Fellow, CSforCA Policy Workgroup liaison, CSMP Computer Science Integration Coordinator, CASE Region 1 director, CASE Advocacy Committee Co-chair, and ISTE U AI course Instructor and coach.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  Creating a Community of Practice: A Working Group On Identity in the Field of K-12 CS Education

Steve Kass

CTE Instructor (Former REMC1 Director of Instructional Technology)

Copper Country Intermediate School District

Steve is a Copper Country native and graduate of Northern Michigan University. Over the course of his career he has worked as a product trainer for a technology company, a high school teacher, instructional technology specialist, director of instructional technology and now most recently a CTE instructor and associate work-based learning coordinator. Steve enjoys finding ways to leverage the power of technology and showing others how it can be used in meaningful ways.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Building Sustainable CS Programs in Rural Schools

Emily Geiger

Western U.P. MiSTEM Network Director

MiSTEM Network

Emily serves as the Western Upper Peninsula (Region 16) MiSTEM Network Director who began her work with the Copper Country Intermediate School District and Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District. Dr. Emily Geiger grew up in Muskegon, MI and moved to the Western U.P. 16 years ago to attend Michigan Tech. During her time at MTU, she obtained a bachelor's degree and a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Emily's background is in biochemistry and molecular biology; specifically environmental remediation and fermentation science. She has worked for 12 years as a Staff Microbiologist for a local brewery and has personally owned and operated her own businesses related to fermentation science. Emily was a Finlandia University Associate Professor of Biochemistry and has worked as a Gogebic Community College Biochemistry instructor. She most recently collaborated with a group of parents to open a childcare center in Hancock. Emily's current role includes developing and implementing initiatives to enhance STEM education in the region.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - B

  Building Sustainable CS Programs in Rural Schools

Carla Strickland

Digital Curriculum Development Manager

The University of Chicago

Carla Strickland is an expert in digitally enhanced STEM teaching and learning. Born and raised in the southern Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, she has lived experience with the glories and challenges faced by young Black children whose academic giftings defy expectations. Her STEM+CS education research is informed by two decades of teaching mathematics and computer science in K–12 classrooms. In her 16 years at the University of Chicago, she has worked with elementary teachers and administrators to integrate computer science and digital technologies into their existing STEM curriculum and instruction, with a particular focus on culturally responsive pedagogy. Carla’s multilingual and multicultural upbringing engendered her audacious and passionate perspective on language and learning.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM, October 25, 2024 Baird Convention Center: Room S102 - D

  Creating a Community of Practice: A Working Group On Identity in the Field of K-12 CS Education