Yep, that’s me! My name is Amanda Chapin and I am a Business and Career Technology Education teacher in my first year of teaching. Previously, for more than 18 years, I have been a graphic designer, SEO and analytics professional, web/content manager, product photography, and any other type of marketing/advertising I could get my hands on.
However, in the past few years I became a mother to two beautiful girls named Scarlett (7 years) and Ivy (5 years). So, I thought I would have my midlife crisis early (I’m now 37) and go into education so I could have “more time” with my daughters. I have never worked so hard in my life and truly enjoyed my career until now.
I teach in North Little Rock, Arkansas at an Alternative Learning Educational (ALE) facility for “at risk” youth. I am truly honored to be their teacher and helping these students to have brighter futures. I will do anything and everything I can do to expose them to every career opportunity available to them.
This year has been an amazing ride and I can’t wait to see where it takes me. I look forward to using Code.org in further detail for my students for next year. Code.org’s “Hour of Code” has been an amazing success for my 7th graders in this past year and I’ve even had a few high school students who have expressed an interest in programming.
I look forward to meeting you all and learning from this experience. Technology is part of my background as well as a loved past-time. I am married to a .Net web developer so if I can’t figure it out…then I know he can.
My name is Blanca Bustamante. For the past seven years I have taught in the computer science department at John Marshall High in LAUSD. I’ve taught Introduction to Computer Science, Digital Imaging, and Web Design. I started my career as an English as a Second Language teacher. In the 90s our ESL program had a federal grant to explore the integration of computers in ESL classes.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, going to the movies, and making jewelry.
My name is Jim Winn. I am excited about code.org and I have used it this past year. My students seem to really enjoy what they learned and it has been able to keep their attention and they seem to be able to work through the curriculum independently which is important to me. I have taught at Sugar Salem high school for the last 20 years. I teach professional technical Computer sequence. At this point my sequence includes two computer classes. I also teach Junior English and dual credit Health and wellness courses. I have seen a lot of changes over the years and professional technical courses and what is expected in Idaho. It is nice to meet Hollowview. I am excited for summer conference and training. Hopefully, everything will go well. I appreciate learning new things and being able to meet new people. See you at conference.
I’m Amber Inscoe. I’m nearing the end of my 11th year teaching Business Education at Fike High School in Wilson, NC. I have some computer science experience in courses I’ve taken in undergrad and with professional development I’ve participated in over the years. I teach a variety of classes: Microsoft IT Academy - Word and PowerPoint, Business Law, Personal Finance, Principles of Business and Finance, Computer Programming I (Visual Basic), and Computer Programming II (C#) to a mixture of 9th-12th graders. I’m looking forward to learning more about the ECS curriculum. Beyond “school stuff” I enjoy road trips, seeing movies, taking pictures, and seeing live music of various genres. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone.
Hi Everyone!
I’m Beth Rueger. I live north of Atlanta where I have been teaching math and AP CSA for 3 years. Prior to this career, I was an aerospace software engineer, launched a biomed product, applications engineer, and stay-at-home mom. My tennis friends think I’m unusual because I like to code and solve math problems! I look forward to learning with all of you at our Code.org workshop
Hello all. I am Kelsey Wright form Notus Idaho (small town by Boise). I currently teach robotics, math, and academic decathlon. This is my third year teaching. I like Volleyball (second year coaching HS volleyball), camping, and anything outdoors. I hope to develop a computer science program at my high school, which we currently do not have.
Hi Everyone!
My name is Risa Goldman. I am in my 9th year of teaching. I currently teach Algebra 2 at Western High school in Broward County, FL. In a previous life I was a Database Analyst for 25 years!
I am looking forward to teaching ECS.
Some of my hobbies include, beading, gardening (just joined an organic community garden in Delray Bch), and bike riding.
Hi all. My name is Dennis Thompson and I am excited to be bringing ECS to my campus this fall. I spent a dozen years as a programmer/analyst and corporate IT trainer, followed by 9 years as a stay-at-home father before becoming an elementary school teacher. After 2 years at the elementary level I moved to high school to teach math, and now get to introduce high school students to programming. I’ve just finished my 10th year as a teacher, and this is the most exciting thing I’ve done as a teacher. I’m projecting great success and demand for ECS, after which I’m I’m hoping to bring AP CS to my school in a few years.
Hi! My name is Jamie Godby. I have taught Business and Computer Science in north Georgia for 11 years. Most of my courses have focused on Web Design, but next year I will primarily be teaching a general intro to Computer Science course. I am excited to use the ECS curriculum with my students.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy watching sports and a variety of TV shows and movies.
Hello. I am Jim Hunter and I have taught Computer Science at the high school level for 16 years. My first year teaching they gave me a Pascal class and I have been teaching programming ever since. I have taught APCS for the past 11 years. This is the first year my county started using the ECS program.
I coach baseball at the school and I love to play golf whenever I get a chance.
Hello my name is Denise Snow. I am currently a Career and Technology (CTE) teacher at a Las Vegas, Nevada High School in which I teach classes in Graphic Design, Web Design, Digital Photography and Video Production. I am proud to be one of the few teachers in Las Vegas that teaches classes for The National Foundation Academy (NAF) in the Information Technology Academy offered at my school. NAF is a non-profit organization that teams up with high schools nationwide to provide curriculum and teacher resources to prepare high school students for college and career success.
Before diving in as a high school instructor, I was a full-time instructor at a for-profit design college where I taught Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Fundamentals of Design, Marketing Design, Advertising Design, Collateral Design, Typography, Environmental Design, Digital Photography and Portfolio Development. For over 8 years I was an instructor, academic advisor, online advocate and study abroad teacher. During this time I earned a Master Degree in Post-Secondary and Higher Education with an emphasis in online teaching and blended learning teaching techniques.
My name is Elizabeth Oberleitner and I have been in education for 7 years. I have taught various levels of mathematics at both alternative and traditional high schools. I currently work at Caldwell High School in Idaho teaching Algebra II and a College Prep math course. While I have never taught a computer science class I look forward to the challenge.
Hello. My name is Charles, and this year I have been teaching New Media. Teaching ECS should prove to be an adventure, and I am looking forward to it. A few of my hobbies include: reading, writing non-fiction, listening to old cowboy western theme songs, fishing in creeks and streams flowing through the woods, and visiting college/university campuses.
Hello Everyone, My name is Anne Trachsel. (pronounced Trok-sel). I teach high school science and computer science. This year I taught Enriched Chem, as well as Introduction to Engineering Design, and two dual-enrollment computer science courses through Columbus State. I am excited to be teaching ECS this fall! My first career was as a computer software engineer with AT&T (Bell Labs, Lucent, additional company name changes …). I also enjoy reading, music, learning, outdoor activities, and laughing with family and friends.
Hello everyone! My name is Adriana De Lap. Next school year will be my 3rd year teaching in the classroom. I am history teacher (US history and AP Government) I am very excited to have the opportunity to teach a CS course! Although my educational background doesn’t stem from computer science, I have always gone out of my way to learn as much as I can about technology.
Hello, I’m Jennifer Bearce. I’ve been teaching for 34 years. My undergrad work was in Fashion Merchandising, but my passion was teaching. I started teaching, on a provisional certificate, as a Junior High Mathematics teacher. In my second year I developed a mastery program for my mathematics classes which was highly praised by my principal and curriculum specialist, however even that didn’t save me from the layoffs at the end of the year - being non-tenured I was one of the first to go. I then found work in another county, where the principal asked if anyone wanted to split from math and teach only CS…I think my hand went up faster than a speeding bullet, because I LOVED the challenge. I took courses, learned about 10 (now extinct) languages and continued to teach myself about computer science and programming to be able to teach it to my students.
My most successful teaching strategy was letting the students decide when and what we needed to learn. I got them interested in programming simple games using Visual Basic at the time and as questions like “Ms. Bearce, is it possible to…” came up we all stopped and I taught the concept to them. They were so engaged and interested that it made my job very easy and rewarding. I’m hoping to recapture that ability using the ECS program. I think if I weren’t a teacher, I’d be a programmer because I love puzzles and programming is just a way of solving puzzles (problems).
Hello, I am Marie Robinson. I have taught in the area of business and computer science for over 10 years. I am currently teaching: Web Design, Introduction to Business and Technology, Introduction to Digital Technology, and Computer Science Principles. I love what I teach because it gives me a chance to learn something new constantly and it gives my students a chance to prepare for their futures in technology and/or business.
When I am not teaching, I love to read, decorate, and travel.
Hello Everyone, My name is Lynda Jeffers and I am a teacher at the Homewood Center in Howard County. I have been here for 4 years however, I have been teaching for 15 years total. My focus is Computer Science and Business Education. My background is in Management Information Systems. My hobbies are exercising and cooking and I just started a company that focuses on natural hair and skin care products.
I am excited about this curriculum because it will focus more on programming. Previous curriculum i have taught only offer programming at a few units.
Hello All,
My name is Bobbe Flint. I am an Instructor Specialist with the State of Idaho, Department of Juvenile Corrections. I began as a networking specialist and was asked if I would like to teach. YES! Thank you. I have enjoyed 15 plus years at the Juvenile Corrections Center. I began a curriculum loosely based around the A+ program and implemented ECIS and HTML and some computer history into the Lot. I am now merging keyboarding, and Microsoft 2010 into the lab as well. We teach year round and have about 12 weeks of 2 hour classes with our vocational students. I am excited to learn more programming and refresh my brain with forthcoming information. I love numbers, they just don’t love me.
I am a mother of four grown men and have three grandchildren. One of whom lives with me full-time. I would like to get healthy this year and enjoy life. I enjoy eating.
Hello my name is Andrea LeShea and I currently teach Business and Computer Science courses at both the high school and technical college levels in Georgia. I have been teaching technology related courses for 18 years and I am looking forward to learning more about the computer programming aspect of the computer science field.
I like to take on home improvement projects in my free time and I enjoy learning how to use new power tools. I also love to travel and try to go somewhere new and exciting each summer.
I teach high school science and computer science. This year I taught Enriched Chem, as well as Introduction to Engineering Design, and two dual-enrollment computer science courses through Columbus State. I am excited to be teaching ECS this fall! My first career was as a computer software engineer with AT&T (Bell Labs, Lucent, additional company name changes …). I also enjoy reading, music, learning, outdoor activities, and laughing with family and friends.