How did you get into CS?

While I was teaching Tech Ed at Woodlawn in Baltimore, I had the opportunity to come back to Frederick County, where I had previously lived and worked. I thought I was interviewing for a Tech Ed position at Frederick high, but it turned out they wanted me to do Computer Science. I have an undergrad in information systems with a minor in business administration, and then got my grad degree from Hood College in management information systems. So while I had the background, it had been at least 10 years since I’d done any CS, but they said ‘That's all right, you have the skill set, you can do it!’ That was in 2021 and I’ve been teaching CS since.

What are some successes and challenges that you've experienced in CS ed?

I think there are always challenges when you’re a minority or female - and in my case, being a hijabi as well. Sometimes people underestimate you or don’t know what to make of you due to their own biases or stereotypes. Not to say that I experience that everywhere, but with some people and in some places I do, and so I'm always going to push myself above and beyond what’s expected - not just to prove to them, but to prove to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. 

Another challenge was having imposter syndrome after not doing computer science for 10 years, wondering if I would be the best choice for my students. I knew in the back of my head that I could do it, but as each day, each month, each year progressed, my confidence increased. Seeing the successes of my students, seeing them understand the material and have those aha moments supported me through the challenges of learning to teach CS, through my self-doubt and the doubt of others. That experience really reinforced that I can do anything I set my mind to.

What do you find compelling about computer science?

There are so many patterns; I love patterns. Plus there's so many different ways to solve problems, and it helps you do a lot of computational thinking, which teaches you to think outside the box. It can also be a great collaborative experience; there are a lot of misconceptions about CS being a solitary experience where you just sit behind a computer and program by yourself, but there's so many aspects to CS and different things you can do with it. You have artificial intelligence, cryptography, cybersecurity - there's just so many pathways, and if your brain is good with one thing, then you can focus on that. It doesn't have to just be programming; you can combine CS with math, English, whatever subjects are the best fit for you, and I like that about it.

What are you currently working on?

I have a lot going on in addition to teaching! I’m a robotics mentor; we did our second competition March 13-15, 2025 . The Robotics Club introduces students to electrical and mechanical engineering, physics, and math. It also encourages them to learn about marketing, fundraising, and programming. It's a lot of different kinds of STEM. Every year, the students get to build a huge FRC robot that does all kinds of game-related goals and tasks. Getting them excited about the hands-on activities is really nice.   

I also run the Computer Science Honor Society. A few weeks ago, we went to one of our feeder schools to encourage elementary students to find their path through to computer science and think about how it relates to their lives. The area I live and teach in is lower income and some students don't necessarily have a lot of opportunities, so by going to them, introducing CS, and showing them how it impacts their lives, we’re hoping to encourage them to pursue it in middle school and then hopefully continue through high school, when some of them will end up with us at Frederick High.  

Besides that, I’m mentoring new teachers, and I'll be presenting at the CSTA conference. So there's a lot of different ways for me to share what I know - but also to help the students embrace what they know, because sometimes they don't realize how important or smart they are, or how much talent they have.

Any advice?

It’s human to doubt yourself, but never, ever, ever, ever give up; keep persisting. No matter how many challenges there are or how many other people don't believe in you, you can accomplish anything if you have a support system. Look to mentors, or people in your department, or your family. Keep working hard, keep your goal in sight, and keep in mind you're making yourself better for your students. You’re working to be someone they can see themselves in and look up to; you’re finding ways to support them, to give them resources and opportunities that you might not have had. Never give up on that, because if you do, it’ll be apparent. 

It’s also important to believe in your students and learn how to connect with them, especially when you have different backgrounds. When I first started teaching, I thought the students at a city school would eat me alive, but they didn’t; they’re just rough around the edges. At the end of the day, all students are children who are trying to find themselves, and what they need most are teachers who want to reach out and are willing to understand and take a chance on them. When I was hired to teach tech ed at Woodlawn and told them I didn’t know about engineering, they said ‘Yes, but we see something in you.’  Having somebody see something in me and believe I could do it gave me the confidence to succeed. Just like the school saw something in me in a new teacher, try to find that in your students. It's important for teachers to do that for themselves, too - to branch off and learn new things and be willing to take chances. If you can model that, then the students that you teach are going to be more willing to themselves. Try to understand them, make it so they can see themselves in you, and help them learn to see themselves in others. Introduce them to people of color, to LGBTQIA people, to Muslim, Jewish, or Hindu people who have influenced computer science. You'll reach more students and be a better, more well-rounded teacher.

What resources would you like to see more of?

When I first started, I was very blessed in a lot of ways. Doing all that training had helped, and I had some skeleton templates to work off of, but I still didn't have full lesson plans or much of a curriculum. When I asked a couple of teachers I knew for help, they directed me towards some of the top people in CS. They graciously gave me their lessons and said, ‘Follow my class and you'll have everything you need to get started.’ Having that structure, I could learn from how they taught and get my own ideas for what I might want to add or do differently as I went. I think every teacher who comes into CS should have that; there should be a repository of full lessons, not just fill-in-the-blank templates, so new teachers can pick and choose from premade lessons or curricula from a variety of experienced teachers. If I know there's a new teacher, I'll give them my whole lessons so they can see everything I've done and direct them to websites I've found useful. It would have helped me to have more resources like that ready and available in one central location. 

I’d also like to have more ways for my students to network with companies so that they can see how CS fits into different jobs. That way, when they start college or go into work study, they’ll have an understanding of what different companies do and where they might be able to find the types of opportunities they’re interested in. 

Anything else on your mind?

I think that the programs that MCCE and CSTA offer are so important, especially for new teachers. When I first came to Frederick High after not doing anything with programming for 10 years, I did code.org training, I went to MCCE training, I went and did all the trainings under the sun so I could be a good teacher for my students. MCCE and CSTA are a backbone to anybody who hasn’t done much teaching or didn't major in computer science.