Meet the 2023-24 CSTA Equity Fellows – Instructional Allies Cohort!
- Michaela Joaquin De Guzman, Curriculum Developer, at Girls Who Code (New York, NY)
- Sofia De Jesus, Associate Program Manager – CMU CS Academy, at Carnegie Mellon University CS Academy (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Rudy Escobar, STEAM & Computer Science Coordinator, at Stanislaus County Office of Education (Modesto, CA)
- Kip Glazer, Principal, at Mountain View High School (Mountain View, CA)
- Victor G. Hicks, Founder and Director, at Coding with Culture (Decatur, GA)
- Michelle Meier, Computer Science/Media & Instructional Technology Consultant, at Central Rivers AEA (Cedar Falls, IA)
Michaela Joaquin De Guzman
Michaela De Guzman is currently entering her third year as a Curriculum Developer for Girls Who Code. She began her career teaching coding to K-6 in Title I schools for two years where she fell in love with Computer Science Education. Ever since, she has remained committed to students feeling empowered through problem solving and expressing themselves through code. In her time at Girls Who Code, she has co-developed Cybersecurity and Data Science courses focused on social justice, along with activities around creative computing and machine learning. She is dedicated to elevating student voices in the tech space, especially those in historically underrepresented groups such as BIPOC and women. Her dream is for every student to feel empowered to shape our technologies to create more inclusive and equitable designs and therefore a more inclusive, equitable world.
Sofia De Jesus
Sofía De Jesús is the author of Applied Computational Thinking with Python (2nd edition due out 2023), and has over 20 years of experience in education, combining time in the classroom with curriculum design and providing professional development to other educators. Sofía completed Masters in teacher education and all coursework for an EdD (abd). Sofía is the associate program manager and Spanish outreach lead for CMU CS Academy team. She has presented in multiple national and international conferences on equitable CS education, accessibility, and equitable assessment practices.
Rudy Escobar
Rudy Escobar, a STEM and Computer Science Coordinator, and Micro:bit Champion, holds a (M.Ed.) focused in STEAM. With expertise in PreK-12 computer science, science, coding, robotics, engineering, project-based learning, and flipped teaching, he is proficient in creating engaging learning experiences. Rudy serves as the CSTA Sacramento Technology Manager and CCCUE Communications Manager for the respective boards, actively contributing to CSforCA, SCALE CA, AIforCA, and NGSS Collaborative. His role as a micro:bit Champion and integration in science highlights his dedication to promoting innovative technology education. His leadership extends nationally and statewide as a CSTA Board at Large representative, CSTA policy committee Liaison, CASE Region 1 director, and CASE Advocacy Committee Co-chair.
Kip Glazer
Kip Glazer is a long-time public educator and school administrator who is passionate about the proper use of technology for teaching and learning. Currently Principal in Mountain View, CA, she holds a Doctorate in Learning Technologies from Pepperdine. Her dissertation highlighted how game creation improves students’ literacy and numeracy skills. As a public educator, she believes in the mission of public education of creating an educated populace for the protection of democracy, and she has worked on elevating practitioner voices in the educational technology space to fulfill that mission. She was a panel member for the webinar hosted by the US Department of Education on their launch of “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning,” (https://tech.ed.gov/ai-future-of-teaching-and-learning/) and has joined as a member of the Practitioner Advisory Board (https://engageai.org/who-we-are/our-team/) for Engage AI Institute. As proud as she is of her professional accomplishments, she is most proud of her two sons who graduated from West Point and are currently serving in the Army.
Victor G. Hicks
Victor “Coach” Hicks, a luminary based in Atlanta, Georgia, is the distinguished founder of Coding with Culture. Committed to establishing a “Kindergarten through HBCU” pathway in computational and design thinking, Coach Hicks is a fervent advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Through innovative programs in Computer Science/STEM, tailored Professional Development for Teachers, and impactful partnerships, he empowers the next generation. Coach Hicks’ mission is underscored by a dedication to culturally responsive and sustainable pedagogy, revolutionizing STEM education. His accomplishments include recognition in Forbes Magazine and presentations at prominent international and national level ed tech conferences, solidifying his influence in the field.
Michelle Meier
Michelle Meier is a Computer Science Consultant in Waterloo Iowa. Through her work at Central Rivers Area Education Agency, Michelle strives to improve equitable access to quality computer science learning opportunities by working with multiple school districts in the state. This work includes providing assistance in creating and implementing computer science plans, creating and facilitating professional learning and coaching teachers to help them better understand student standards and best practices in computer science education. She expands with with the statewide AEA computer science team as well as the state ECEP group to expand this work and help ensure that quality education is accessible statewide. In addition, Michelle is also involved in a partnership between the AEAs and the University of Northern Iowa to help teachers earn their computer science teaching endorsements.