Teaching students about computer science is my passion!
In the 2002, I graduated from the Graduate School of Education at UMass-Boston with a Masters Degree and a license to teach Special Education. After spending the prior 15 years as an information technology professional, the transition to teaching was not easy. However, I have been able to bring my previous experience into the classroom so that today I teach cybersecurity and programming as well as continue working in special education classrooms.
I tell my students that I grew up in a world that existed before smartphones, tablets, the World Wide Web and persistent high-speed Internet connections.
I've been honored to win several awards for my teaching. 2015 - PAEMST - the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching is the nations highest recognition for STEM educators. Administered by the National Science Foundation, I was treated to a trip to the Washington DC and got to visit the White House. 2022 - Cyber Educator of the Year - Cyber.org gave me one of the inaugural cyber educators awards for my efforts to grow cybersecurity education in our schools. Some of the lessons that I wrote has been incorporated in their nationally available curriculum. 2023 - Aspirations in Computing - NCWIT Affiliate Educator Winner The National Center for Women and Information Technology strives to provide opportunities for girls and women in computing. My award recognizes the efforts I have made to encourage my students to study and work in STEM fields.
I have presented at many workshops and conferences both in Massachusetts and nationally. These include annual meetings of the CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) in Texas, San Diego, and Baltimore.
Several years ago I founded the Cybersecurity Educators group on Facebook. With over 1500 members, it is a premier location for teachers to share ideas and find support for this exciting area of computer science.