1917 Results
CSHS Committee Member
Sylvia Wood
My CSTA Story
In 2017, I joined a group in Texas to support CS and Cyber Education. In the process, I became aware of several national organizations that champion CS Education. I became a member of CSTA in order to help me support CS in my school and district. Since then, I have been asked to serve as an officer for my local chapter and have established an CSHS Chapter at my high school. Through CSTA, I have found meaningful resources, established friendships, and have found my inner CS Hero!
My Story
Sylvia current teaches Computer Science and Cyber courses at St. Dominic Savio CHS in Austin, TX. She has been an educator for more than 30 years. Education is in her blood – including her grandmother, uncles, and sister. Sylvia holds a Master’s Degree from Texas Tech in Career Education with an emphasis on Instructional Technology. In addition to her teaching career, Sylvia is a Code.org Facilitator (CSP & CSA), APCSA Reader, and an occasional contributor to Albert.io resources.
Elementary Subcommittee, 2025 Conference Committee; Reflective Teachers Committee Chair; Past Conference Committee Chair
Vicky Sedgwick
My CSTA Story
My first involvement with CSTA was in 2012 when I happened upon the website as I was searching online for what K-8 students might be able to do with programming. I had taken a job as the technology teacher at my daughter’s school a little over a year before and was tired of just teaching productivity applications and watching students type during their classes with me. I had a background as a programmer and systems analyst and thought that there might be a way to bring that into my classes but wasn’t sure where to start. I found the CSTA standards and began adding computer science to the classes I taught. I joined CSTA shortly after I found the site because I wanted to be connected to what was happening at CSTA and with others teaching computer science to kids. I’ve been a CSTA+ member since it’s inception because I believe in supporting organizations that support me.
My Story
Vicky Sedgwick is a retired elementary educator from Los Angeles who is passionate about teaching computer science (including artificial intelligence) in elementary school.
Vicky served as a K-8 representative on the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Board of Directors from 2017 to 2021 and has been on the CSTA Conference Committee since 2017. She is currently a chapter leader with CSTA Greater Los Angeles Chapter and a co-chair of the CUE Computer Science Learning Network. Vicky moderated the #csk8 chat on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month during the school year on Twitter from 2015 until June 2023. She was a writer on the CSTA K-12 2017 Standards and on the CSTA Standards for CS Educators and was the K-2 Grade Band Lead on the AI for K12 Initiative. Vicky is also currently a member of the AI for CA project of CSforCA.
Chapter Leader Committee Member
Willy Orozco
My CSTA Story
I started my teaching career as a science teacher and at some point was asked if I wanted to teach CS. I agreed and that same summer I attended my first CSTA conference. I immediately feel in love with the organization. Back then there was no chapter in Miami, and when the opportunity arose to start one, I immediately jumped in. I am no longer in the classroom, but still heavily involved in CS education. I could not be able to make the impact I do today if it was not for CSTA. I am who I am, thanks to CSTA!
My Story
Willy is the FL Regional Manager for the Microsoft Philanthropies Program TEALS and President of CSTA Miami. Willy helps build sustainable computer science (CS) programs in high schools with a focus on serving students excluded from learning CS because of race, gender and geography, and classroom teachers to learn to teach CS on their own by pairing them with industry volunteers and proven curricula. With CSTA Miami he focuses on building the community of CS educators and improving CS education in general. Prior to joining TEALS, Willy was the Chair of the Engineering and Computer Science department at one of the most prominent independent schools in SoFL. He earned his bachelor in Earth Science Education from FIU. He has 3D printed prosthetic hands for kids, and is a Magic Wheelchair builder. Willy lives in Miami, FL with his wife Yvy, son Mateo, daughter Luna Mia, two dogs, Lobo and Peppa.
Elementary Subcommittee Member, Conference Committee
Wonjin Yu
My CSTA Story
As an elementary school teacher who taught computer science in South Korea, he has also offered a lot of free and fun computer science activities to community kids both in South Korea and the U.S. Now, he is in the U.S. to study abroad, so he has expanded the scope of his interest in computer science in a broader context. In this context, he has been engaged in the CSTA conference since 2021 and served as a conference committee member in an elementary sub-committee for 2024 and 2025.
My Story
Wonjin is a PhD student in Learning Design and Technology at Purdue University in the United States. He has worked in South Korea as an elementary school teacher in Daegu city since 2012 and as a university lecturer at Daegu National University of Education (DNUE) in 2021. He taught computer science education, including software education and EdTech, to pre-and in-service teachers in South Korea. His interests include computational thinking and various emerging technologies in education, with a current focus on AI education.
Data Analyst
Catherine Tabor (She/Her)
CONTACT CAT ABOUT
• PD Passport Questions
• Membership Questions
My CSTA Story
When Cat attended her first CSTA conference in 2019, she knew she had finally found her people. As one of only a handful of CS teachers in her area, she had really not had a lot of support in trying to expand CS pathways in her region. Since then, she’s become the founding president of CSTA Paso del Norte, a facilitator for the CSforEL project, served on the CSHS Advisory board, been a frequent volunteer, and received a CS Teaching Excellence Award. Now, she is excited to join CSTA as their first-ever data analyst.
My Story
Cat began her journey as a CS Teacher in 1996. CS was not very popular at the time and CS teachers were not in demand. She was one of the few in her entire area. Since then, she has expanded CS pathways in her region and became the first president of the CSTA Paso del Norte chapter. She has won numerous awards for teaching computer science and helps teachers become certified in CS.
In her free time, Cat loves to read, watch movies, and program and has an obsession with dinosaurs. She is currently working on her PhD in Computer Science and is a proud mother of two human and two furry children and the grandmother of one human child.
Regional Chapter Support Coordinator, East
Ciara Pervall (She/Her)
CONTACT CIARA ABOUT
• Planning and supporting chapter events
• CSTA awareness and recruiting efforts
• Attaining chapter goals, growth metrics, and grant funding
My CSTA Story
Ciara began her computer science journey in 2017 at a summer professional development summit. She was a first-year business and IT teacher who wanted to bring something new back to her classroom. Ciara learned so much and fell in love with CS concepts and the CS community!
My Story
Ciara became an educator as a career switcher in 2015. She started as a substitute teacher, went on to teach career and technical education for five years, and is presently a work-based learning coordinator for Chesapeake Public Schools. She has worked for organizations such as CodeVA and the College of William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education, and she has also taught robotics for a district-wide cybersecurity camp in partnership with Old Dominion University. Ciara currently serves as the president of CSTA Tidewater Virginia and is the first CodeVA board member to serve as representation for all active classroom teachers.
In her free time, she loves traveling, volunteering, and spending time with her family, her friends, and her pup, Chino.
Event Manager
Dana Weingartner, CMP (She/Her)
CONTACT DANA ABOUT
• CSTA Annual Conference
• CSTA Summits
• CSTA Grant-Funded Events
My CSTA Story
Dana joined CSTA in 2021 and has learned so much about CS education since! She is inspired every day by the work CSTA members are doing within and outside of the classroom to ensure that students have access to an equitable CS education. She feels very lucky to get to play a part in supporting CSTA’s mission.
My Story
Dana is the event manager for CSTA. With a background in event and volunteer management, she has experience coordinating both large and small-scale events in the for-profit and nonprofit spaces. She holds a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership from the University of Denver and is a Certified Meeting Professional. Dana is passionate about community building and loves being able to support the people who love helping others!
Outside of work, you can find her watching professional wrestling, hanging out with her cat and dog, and enjoying the plethora of themed entertainment that Orlando has to offer.
Professional Learning Manager
Dr. DaQuan Bashir (He/Him)
CONTACT DR. BASHIR ABOUT
• CSTA Professional Learning Series
• MENTORS in CS
• CSTA Equity Fellowship
My CSTA Story
Before joining CSTA as a staff member, Dr. Bashir worked very closely with the members of his local CSTA chapter in New Jersey. Being connected to so many likeminded individuals helped Dr. Bashir realize that he was not alone in his CS advocacy. CSTA has shown him that there are others doing this work, and together they can be the driving force to create real change in CS education.
My Story
As a professional learning manager, Dr. Bashir works with CSTA Equity Fellows, the Professional Learning Series, online professional development, and coordinating CS teacher-mentor relationships. Dr. Bashir is passionate about helping educators create high-quality computer science learning experiences in their classrooms.
In his free time, he enjoys going for runs and spending time with his family.
Digital Marketing and Communications Intern
Elizabeth Ely (She/Her)
CONTACT LIZ ABOUT
• CSTA Marketing
• CSTA Social Media
• CSTA Communications
My Story
Liz is a current student at University of Wisconsin – Madison specializing in communications and doing a minor in digital studies. Through this internship, she is excited to develop a stronger niche for communications and marketing and strives to use her skill set to further growth in education and be involved in making an impact on today’s youth.
In her free time, Liz enjoys traveling, hiking, writing, and being involved in the Jewish community. She also loves volunteering and spending time with her family and friends.
Executive Assistant
Erin Adams (She/Her)
CONTACT ERIN ABOUT
• Invoice / Accounts Payable Questions
• Executive Scheduling Requests
My CSTA Story
Erin joined CSTA in 2024 with a passion for equity in education. Erin believes that education is the first and most fundamental place to make meaningful change for a more equitable world. She is excited to support the mission of CSTA in her role as Executive Assistant.
My Story
Dedicated to supporting executives in their mission to create positive change, Erin brings a unique blend of administrative expertise and a deep commitment to social justice and equity. With a background in executive assistance, event planning, and marketing and a passion for driving meaningful impact, she loves to serve in education-based nonprofits that are improving lives.
Erin brings nine years of administrative experience and is a 5-year member of the American Society in Administrative professionals where she earned her Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence.
Erin believes that effective executive assistance goes beyond administrative support; it involves anticipating needs, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, and serving as a trusted partner in the pursuit of organizational success.
Erin is a nature enthusiast. She loves birding, basket weaving, herbal medicine and anything that involves deepening her relationship to the natural world. She also has a beloved dog, Swayze, who accompanies her on all her adventures.
Regional Chapter Support Coordinator, Central
Henry Ramirez (He/Him)
CONTACT HENRY ABOUT
• CSTA Central Region Support
• CSTA Policy/Advocacy
My CSTA Story
Henry retired from teaching on September 21, 2021, with thirty years’ experience in education (nine years as a bilingual/ESL teacher, seventeen as an instructional technology specialist, and four as an MS CS teacher). He served as the vice president of CSTA Greater Houston for four years.
Upon retiring, Henry was asked to consider the regional support position, a great opportunity to continue supporting CS integration. Serving the central region chapters allows him to provide support and assistance wherever needed. It’s an honor to work with the central region chapters.
My Story
When not helping his incredible central region chapters, or pursuing every opportunity to get involved with promoting computer science in his home state of Texas, Henry is a soccer nerd (assignor and referee) in northeast Houston, a movie and music fan, and a proud dad to his son and daughter, both currently located in Dallas. The rest of the time, he’s usually chasing his Dutch Shepherd mix, Beth, around the neighborhood.
Chief Finance & Operating Officer
Honna George (She/Her)
CONTACT HONNA ABOUT
• High-level inquiries
• CSTA financial, people, and operational matters
• No sales inquiries, please!
My CSTA Story
Honna joined CSTA in 2024 with a passion for the education community and the association industry. Her personal and professional values resonate with CSTA’s mission to build community for CS teachers and advocate for equity in CS education. As a daughter and partner to teachers, she brings a deep appreciation for the vital and challenging role educators play shaping our world.
My Story
Honna George is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) through the American Society of Association Executives. Her work is centered in a people-first approach and she specializes in developing backend infrastructure and systems to sustain organizational growth. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family in nature and learning about recent discoveries from the JWST telescope.