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At-Large Representative, (July 2022 – June 2024)

Nimmi Arunachalam

My CSTA Story

Nimmi joined CSTA as a new computer science educator in 2014, and she credits her growth in the art and science of computing education to the outstanding support she received from CSTA and its members. She is deeply invested in broadening participation in computing in the K–12 and post-secondary environments. Nimmi serves as the president of CSTA PBC/Broward, where she continues to learn and grow through her association with computing educators across the country.

My Story

Nimmi Arunachalam is the program director of Break Through Tech at Florida International University, where she works to increase diversity and gender equity in Miami’s tech ecosystem. Prior to holding this position, Nimmi worked for the School District of Palm Beach County, where she served as the CTE specialist (cybersecurity), and she was previously a CS teacher at Olympic Heights High School. Nimmi has taught AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A and was a master teacher for Project Lead The Way engineering and CS courses. She has industry experience as a business analyst in the software industry in Chennai, India.

Nimmi holds Florida professional certifications in Educational Leadership, Mathematics (6–12), Technology Education (6–12), and Computer Science (K–12). She has won numerous awards and praise for her work in computer science education. She is the current president of the CSTA PBC/Broward, as well as the at-large representative of the national CSTA Board of Directors. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s degree in business administration from Pondicherry Central University, India, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Pilani, India. Nimmi is currently pursuing a PhD in computer science education through FIU’s SUCCEED graduate program.

Past Board Chair (July 2023 – June 2024), School District Representative (July 2019 – June 2024)

Dan Blier

My CSTA Story

Since joining CSTA in 2018, Dan has enjoyed the learning and collaboration that comes along with membership. In 2019, he was elected to serve as the district representative on the CSTA Board of Directors. He was selected as the chair-elect in July 2020 and has served as board chair for the past two years.

My Story

A public education teacher for twenty years, Dan Blier spent the last seven years as the computer science curriculum specialist for Plano Independent School District. As of July 2023, he was promoted to the position of career and technical education coordinator in the STEM career cluster, which includes computer science, engineering, and robotics.

State Department Representative (July 2022 – June 2024)

Cindi Chang

My CSTA Story

As a new high school teacher and a member of CSTA since 2006, Cindi values the resources, networking, and enrichment opportunities this organization has provided throughout her career. She was a founding member of Nevada’s Silver State CSTA chapter and supports the leadership team in her current position at the Nevada Department of Education. Cindi is serving her second term as the state department representative on the CSTA Board of Directors. In this capacity, she serves on different focus groups to build standards-aligned resources for administrators and educators, provides a state-level perspective on the policy committee, and co-facilitates quarterly State CS Supervisor meetings. 

My Story

Cindi is the interim director of CTE and IT programs at the Nevada Department of Education. She is an award-winning former high school CS teacher, standards author, curriculum developer, state and national presenter, former industry programmer, web developer, and technology business owner, and recent Association for Computing Machinery–published author. Cindi is also an adjunct professor of computer science education at Touro University Nevada, where she prepares teachers to earn their CS endorsement and to teach CS in unique and exciting ways. She has also traveled internationally to support educators in Europe and Africa.

With her undergraduate, graduate, and industry experience in computer science, business, education, and administration, Cindi is uniquely positioned to evaluate and redesign innovative systems to elevate CTE and CS education to a variety of stakeholders, for the benefit of all students everywhere.

Cindi enjoys traveling internationally, reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.

Admin/Coaches Subcommittee, 2025 Conference Committee; At-Large Representative (July 2023 – June 2025)

Rudy Escobar

My CSTA Story

Since joining CSTA, Rudy has been an active member of CSTA Sacramento and CSTA California Far North. As a tech manager, he provides technical support and promotes equitable access to computer science education. Rudy is also a leader in the CSTA LatinX Affinity Group and a member of the CSTA Policy Committee, contributing to discussions on advocacy, policy, and professional development. He is committed to CSTA’s mission of promoting high-quality CS education for all students.

My Story

Rudy Escobar is a STEM and computer science coordinator with expertise in STEM, particularly science, computer science, and engineering. With over a decade of experience, he is a highly accomplished educator who consistently advocates for equitable access to computer science and STEM education. Prior to his career in education, Rudy worked in the pharmaceutical, environmental, and food industries using his engineering, science, and computer science background. Rudy specializes in PreK–12 computer science, STEM, physical computing, robotics, project-based learning (PBL), engineering, science, NGSS assessments, and PBL curriculum development.

Rudy promotes computer science and STEM education in California through conferences, workshops, and initiatives, advocating for equitable opportunities for all students, particularly underrepresented ones. As a micro:bit champion he has directed micro:bit and science conferences. Rudy has developed resources, provided professional development, and created partnerships to promote computer science and STEM education throughout the state. He has developed distance learning resources and organized C-STEM camps for underrepresented students. Rudy has also collaborated with local universities to support future educators and tutors in STEM and computer science.

Rudy has also partnered with organizations to advocate for and develop project-based STEM lessons. He has provided support for English=language learners, Universal Design for Learning, and social-emotional learning in K–2 science and engineering lessons for the California Department of Education. Rudy’s expertise has been instrumental in evaluating and revising training tools and incorporating current trends and data into the standard curricula for science, computer science, and engineering.

K–8 Teacher Representative (July 2022 – June 2024)

Dr. Abigail Joseph

My CSTA Story

Since joining CSTA as a member in 2013, Abigail continues to grow her involvement with the organization and her commitment to championing equity and access to excellent inclusive CS education. In 2016 she helped found CSTA San Mateo County, and was she part of the inaugural cohort of CSTA Equity Fellows in 2019. She has served on the CSTA Board of Directors since 2021 as an appointed board member and is now the K–8 teacher representative. In 2020 she joined the PD Committee, where she has been serving as the co-chair.

My Story

Dr. Abigail Joseph (she/her) has an extensive career in the California Bay Area as a teacher, coach, facilitator, and speaker. A recent career highlight is a TEDx talk she gave at Gunn High School (Palo Alto, CA) titled “Ubuntu Innovation: A Beacon for Humanity.” Abigail currently works as an instructor for the Oracle Education Foundation, where she designs project-based high school CS experiences that integrate design thinking and futures thinking. She is a CSTA Equity Fellow Alumna and serves on the board of directors for Maker Nexus, a Silicon Valley community makerspace. Beyond teaching, making, and the arts, her current passion as an innovation consultant is helping adults discover everyday innovation. She inspires and empowers communities to use innovation to design and live connected lives filled with play, joy, and wonder.  She enjoys exploring the possibilities of tomorrow with her husband in California. Follow her on social media at @drabigailjoseph.

Chapter Leader Committee Member

Adam Lueken

My CSTA Story

CSTA has played a pivotal role, providing a supportive community, professional development opportunities, and a platform to advocate for computer science education, ultimately empowering me to enrich the learning experiences of countless students.

My Story

Over the past decade, I’ve transformed from teaching one small AP class to leading over 250 students in computer science, driven by active engagement with CSTA, NCWIT, Girls Who Code, and creating my own coding camps for K-8 students!

High School Subcommittee, Conference Committee

Adrian “Edge” Angeles

My Story

Edge is currently a teacher of Computer Science at the high school level. He has been teaching Computer Science and Computer education since 2005. He has taught at several of the premier private high schools in the Philippines and spent a considerable amount of time teaching theoretical Computer Science and software development at the tertiary level. He contributed to the recommendations for the curricula of BS Computer Science and BS Entertainment and Multimedia Computing while employed at the university level. He is now participating in generating Computer Science content and curricula for the elementary, middle, and high school. Edge is currently a licensed professional teacher of Computer Science.

Editorial Board Chair; Policy Committee Chair

Alexandra Holter

My CSTA Story

Alexandra found her home with CSTA in 2019 when she was seeking more ways to bring computer science into an elementary school setting. She loved the community of equity-focused lifelong learners found within CSTA. Through their support and collaboration, she has uncovered innovative strategies and practices to further her mission. Alexandra has continued to grow as a computer science leader who appreciates the professionals she is able to find within CSTA.

My Story

Alexandra Holter is a Computer Science Coordinator, K-12, for Bloomington Public Schools in Bloomington Minnesota. She has been an educator for the past 14 years. Her career started in Tulsa Oklahoma where she obtained her BA and Masters of Science in Mathematics and Science Education. Then she first taught her first class of 7th grade science and has been committed to eliminating young people’s barriers to STEM ever since. In 2015 she completed her Ph.D.in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Oklahoma State University. In her current role she supports K-12 teachers and schools with building their individual and site level CS capacity so that CS really can be for all. She is a current member of the CSTA Policy Committee, CSTA Editorial Board, and SciMathMN Board Member.

Policy Committee Member

Alexis Cobo

My CSTA Story

Focused on supporting CS professional learning communities, Alexis looks towards CSTA as a guiding light for resources, standards, and like-minded educators. Alexis has presented at numerous CSTA conferences and summits, and looks forward to continued services through volunteer opportunities.

My Story

Alexis is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Educational Technology at the University of Florida. Additionally, she is the Research Fellow at CSforAll. Alexis spent the last eleven of her sixteen years in education, supporting teachers and students in integrating Computer Science in elementary education. She serves as a graduate research assistant in the Creative Technology Research Lab at the University of Florida and shares a unique perspective as a practitioner-researcher. Alexis’s passion for high-quality teacher professional development led her to organize the South Florida Scratch Educator Meetup. Through the support of the Scratch Foundation, Alexis recently launched Creating Pathways, a virtual Scratch Educator Meetup centered on equity, inclusion, and accessibility through the lens of Scratch. Alexis’s 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.

High School Subcommittee Member, Conference Committee

Alfred Thompson

My Story

Alfred Thompson is a retired high school computer science teacher. He has written several CS textbooks, helped write the national K12 CS Framework and several state CS standards. He is a past member of the national CSTA Board of Directors and current member of the leadership team of CSTA NH.