Meet the 2022–2023 CodeHS Inspire Fellows
Five Passionate Educators Who Are Expanding Participation in Computer Science for Black, Latino, and Native American Students
In 2020, we launched the CodeHS Inspire Fellowship to support educators expanding computer science participation among Black, Latino, and Native American students. Selected fellows receive a CodeHS Pro sponsorship, professional development, and resources for their proposed project.
Today, we are thrilled to announce the second year of Inspire fellows and introduce the 5 outstanding CodeHS Inspire Fellows for the 2022–2023 school year!
Leon Tynes
Xavier College Preparatory- Phoenix, Arizona
Leon Tynes teaches computer science and robotics to Xavier College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. He is working to transform STEM education within the diverse community that he serves through student participation in STEM challenges, student innovation, and scientific advocacy.
“My AP CSP class recently created a large group project that promotes maker education on campus through a food waste/composting campaign. Our students are developing a separate food waste collection system and will develop a natural system of composting on campus.”
Shenica Bridges-Mathieu
Arabia Mountain High School Academy of Engineering, Energy and Environment- Lithonia, Georgia
Shenica Bridges — Mathieu is a teacher, skilled workshop leader, actress, author, and speaker with a lively personality and a keen sense of humor. She teaches at Arabia Mountain High School Academy of Engineering, Energy and Environment. She teaches computer science within the context of the Engineering Pathway, allowing students to code for robotics and software development apps. In 2020, her class won the Congressional App Challenge.
“My students love to compete. They compete in virtual competitions, and live competitions throughout the U.S.A. In total, we compete in over 50 competitions per year.”
Mary Ann McKenney
Lithia Springs Comprehensive High School- Lithia Springs, Georgia
After working in the industry as a programmer, integrator, tester, and in support for 35 years, Mary Ann McKenney became a math teacher. Fourteen years later she became a computer science teacher and teaches Introduction to Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, Introduction to CyberSecurity and Advanced CyberSecurity. Her high school is a STEM school with a high level of students who will be the first in their families to attend college.
“The seniors I taught last year had been with me as freshmen (pre-pandemic), as juniors (during pandemic with most at home, some in school), and as seniors (post-pandemic). We spoke a lot more about feelings, mental health, and fears than we normally discuss — and it amazed me when they thanked me for caring. I mean, it just seemed like what should happen.”
Matt Ernst
Aiken New Tech High School- Cincinnati, Ohio
Matt Ernst is teaching AP-CSP for the first time this school year. He brings more than 30 years of work experience in the IT industry to his classroom. He taught CPS in Career Tech-IT for five years prior to his AP-CSP classroom. He is also a licensed drone pilot and a fifth year adviser to the High School Drone Club.
“I have 19 students that I can’t say enough good things about. They are well motivated and enjoy the classroom rivalry. Some of my students are quite competitive when it comes to GPA, class rankings, graduation seals, and Industry credentials, I have noticed how much smack talk has become involved.”
Suraia Fattah
W.A. Cunningham- Brooklyn, New York
Suraia is a math teacher who is incorporating computer science into her curriculum. This is her 23rd year teaching and she is excited to marry math and computer science. She has seen many students struggle with basic mathematical concepts and convince themselves that math is too hard, too weird and too meaningless to keep working at. She believes through coding, she will be able to help them persevere in problem solving and develop a stay in the game attitude.
“I had a truant student that just didn’t see why coming to school was necessary. Everything in school was meaningless. She happened to be in my class when we were working on a virtual robot. She was hooked. She was in the driver seat and was eager to learn and TEACH programming.”
Congratulations to the 2022–2023 CodeHS Inspire Fellows!
We are excited to work together to expand Black, Latino, and Native American student participation in computer science. Stay tuned for project updates throughout the school year.
To learn more about the fellowship, visit codehs.com/inspire_fellowship.
