Teaching in an economically disadvantaged community, Darren believes in the power of tech to help kids break out of generational poverty. He’s dedicated to helping his students pursue high-quality educations and careers, using computer science as the springboard. “The biggest lesson I try to teach my students,” he says, “is to never say no to themselves. Make someone else say it to you.”

Meet #IMPACTFellow Darren Ehrhardt, a determined CS teacher who built his school's computer science program from the ground up.

Read his full profile on The Voice: buff.ly/Vr8Nskk

The Words We Choose: Reflections on Teaching Inclusion in CS Classrooms. Written by Jacqueline Edwards

"As educators, the words we use in our classrooms shape who feels welcome, who feels seen, and who feels left out, and as educators, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to choose them thoughtfully."

Read the full #IMPACTFellow article on The Voice: buff.ly/lh8behb

“Engagement comes from letting students take ownership of their learning.” To that end, Jacqueline helps her students find the projects and platforms that best align with their interests, whether that’s designing a personal website, simulating a dice roll for tabletop gaming, or building a to-do list app to help them stay on top of their busy lives. [...] The true measure of her success is the students who continue to sign up for more CS work, or who return after graduation to tell her that they plan to continue in tech. “That’s when I know I’m making a lasting impact,” she says.

Meet #IMPACTFellow Jacqueline Edwards, a 9–12 programming instructor at the East Baton Rouge Career and Technical Education Center.

Read her full profile now on The Voice: buff.ly/uAbS7ZE

Celebrating Black STEM Pioneers in Elementary, Written by Bettie Mushatt-Parker. Photo of Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.

#IMPACTFellow Bettie Mushatt-Parker challenges teachers to move beyond the "one-month unit" and weave Black STEM pioneers into everyday learning — from Lewis Latimer to Gladys West. Your students deserve to see themselves in STEM.

Read the full article on The Voice:
buff.ly/mpEGk7u

Bettie believes in the power of computer science to push people to gain new skills and overcome obstacles. A student who had been notorious for getting into trouble flourished in Bettie’s CS classes, becoming one of the school’s top programmers. Her confidence blossomed as fellow students came to know her as a gifted coder, rather than a troublemaker, and Bettie recognized her further by making her a CS student ambassador.

Meet #IMPACTFellow Bettie Mushatt-Parker, a Brooklyn-based CS and STEM teacher whose teaching practice centers the joy of creative critical thinking.

Read her full profile on The Voice: buff.ly/h6H2gR6

Javier’s passionate about bringing coding to the youngest students, establishing a strong foundation for them to continue learning CS throughout their education. He visits the PK–1 classrooms at least once a week to teach ScratchJr and encourage students to use their creativity and develop their passion for coding. “We want to pursue the idea that any student can start learning programming at any age,” he says. “Practice, curiosity, and creativity are vital aspects when the students use Scratch and ScratchJr. More importantly, they have fun when learning coding.”

Meet #IMPACTFellow Javier Aguilar, a bilingual technology applications/computer science teacher and robotics coach for preK–5 students.

Read his profile on The Voice: buff.ly/O5ArrD3

Empowering Every Teacher to Be a Computer Science Teacher Written by Brianne Caplan

"Students don’t need their teachers to be experts in computer science. They need their teachers to be brave enough to try. And when teachers try, students follow."

Read #IMPACTFellow Brianne Caplan's call to build the future of technology, one classroom at a time: buff.ly/gvUGaSh

Bri founded Code Your Dreams to reduce barriers to entry that might prevent underrepresented kids from accessing computer science. The organization brings programming to schools, community centers, afterschool programs, and correctional facilities, and they’re intentional about designing for kids who are traditionally left out of CS.

Meet #IMPACTFellow Brianne Caplan a former data scientist who founded Code Your Dreams, a global nonprofit that provides community-centered computer science education to students from underserved communities.

Read her profile now on The Voice: buff.ly/u2MpfDl

Iterate to Innovate: Using Agile Methods to Build Student Engagement, Written by Christina Quinn.

"Agile methods [...] not only mirror the real world of computing, but also foster essential 21st-century skills: communication, adaptability, and creative problem-solving."

Read #IMPACTFellow Christina Quinn's article on The Voice: buff.ly/jNoOgPk

Christina makes it a point to invite students from all different backgrounds to see themselves in tech, and she’s intentional about using inclusive language and showcasing female, BIPOC, disabled, and ESL role models in her classes. She keeps a close eye on her students to make sure that they’re thriving, and she celebrates successes of all kinds—not just writing perfect code. “Achievement is more than a test score,” she says. “It’s about growth, confidence, and the ability to apply skills in meaningful ways.”

"Teaching CS isn’t just about syntax; it’s about unlocking potential.”

Read CSTA #IMPACTFellow Christina Quinn's full profile on The Voice: buff.ly/dzTLJMI

#CSTA2025 was a great time of networking and learning! Met a bunch of new people, recorded for the podcast, and hung out with friends and colleagues. #csta #csisamazing #impactfellow