WeTeach_CS Summit 2025: Full Schedule

June 9-10, 2025
Renaissance Austin Hotel - 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
Click HERE to access the WTCS Summit registration page

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9:45am CDT

CSforEL: Empowering English Learners within Computer Science

Monday June 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

Nueces (Upstairs)

Byte, bug, boot, bot - how do educators provide the support needed for both the technical and academic language demands within a CS classroom? Nearly 20% of K-12 public school students in Texas are classified as English Learners yet they are one of the most underrepresented student populations within Computer Science education.

Join us for a hands-on introduction to 'CSforEL' - a CSTA program that leverages inclusive instructional strategies to close gaps and support both content and language skills for ELs in CS.

CS and/or Cybersecurity Content Knowledge Level Required: Everyone. No prior knowledge required.

Presenters

Devon Marano

Lead Facilitator, CSTA

I consider myself a 'compulsive hand raiser' - eagerly volunteering for workshops, committees, grad school, and any other professional learning opportunity that comes my way. From 2014 - 2024, I taught at a Title 1 school in San Diego. During my 2nd year, despite having virtually... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Nueces (Upstairs)

Broadening Participation, High School

12:45pm CDT

CS and Multilingual Learners: Curriculum, Professional Development, and Community Engagement

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

Nueces (Upstairs)

In this session, we will center on tools for multilingual learners, while also focusing on the components of professional development that support CS programs and allow participation of students whose first language is Spanish. We will also discuss important aspects of community involvement and professional development, providing tools and best practices to support CS programs. We will share about the effect of Cognitive Load Theory on multilingual learners, sharing tools that can alleviate that load. Lastly, we will share how technology can help engage multilingual households and how we can support them in their learners’ CS journey.

CS and/or Cybersecurity Content Knowledge Level Required: Everyone. No prior knowledge required.

Presenters

Rudy Escobar

STEM and Computer Science Coordinator, Stanislaus County Office of Education

Rudy Escobar is a passionate STEM and Computer Science Coordinator with over a decade of experience advancing inclusive PreK–12 education. With expertise in computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, physical computing, project-based learning, and NGSS-aligned science... Read More →

Sofia De Jesús

Associate Program Manager, CMU CS Academy

BlueSky(https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdygeek.bsky.social) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-de-jesus-m-s-7b637415/)

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
Nueces (Upstairs)

Broadening Participation, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)

2:00pm CDT

Culturally Responsive Teaching: Empowering Students Through Representation and Relevance

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Nueces (Upstairs)

Discover how culturally responsive teaching transforms classrooms into spaces where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered. This session, led by Victor Hicks and Yaritza Villalba, explores practical strategies for incorporating students’ cultural identities into STEM and computer science instruction. Participants will learn to design lessons that leverage representation and relevance to boost engagement and achievement in CS and beyond. Real-world examples from Coding with Culture and McKenzie’s Adventures will illustrate how educators can use students’ unique experiences to broaden participation and bridge gaps in STEM education.

CS and/or Cybersecurity Content Knowledge Level Required: Everyone. No prior knowledge required.

Presenters

Victor Hicks

Founder & CEO, Coding with Culture

Victor “Coach” Hicks is a nationally recognized computer science educator, curriculum developer, and cultural strategist dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, culturally responsive STEM education for Black and Brown youth. As the founder and director of Coding with Culture... Read More →

Yaritza (Ja-Reet-Zah) Villalba

CEO & Founder, McKenzie's Adventures

Yaritza Villalba is an award-winning global Education Consultant, Speaker, and the CEO of McKenzie’s Adventures. With over a decade of experience, she is dedicated to creating an equitable and inclusive educational landscape. Yaritza's innovative approach has earned her the prestigious... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Nueces (Upstairs)

Broadening Participation, K-12

10:00am CDT

Harmonizing Identity and Innovation: Using AI as a Tool to Create Self-Expression Through Music

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Nueces (Upstairs)

Discover how AI can help learners create personalized music that reflects their unique identities. This session integrates the TEKS for Computer Science to showcase how AI can foster creativity, inclusivity, and belonging. This session will highlight creative ways to integrate art into CS classes to foster a deeper sense of CS belonging. Participants will gain hands-on experience with AI tools, practical strategies for classroom implementation, and resources to enhance student engagement through culturally meaningful music creation. Participants will gain strategies for integrating AI-powered tools into their curriculum to enhance student engagement, promote computational thinking, and cultivate cultural awareness.

CS and/or Cybersecurity Content Knowledge Level Required: Everyone. No prior knowledge required.

Presenters

Keya Belt Robinson

Program Design and Innovation Manager, National Math and Science Initiative

Michelle Stie

VP, Program Design & Innovation, National Math and Science Initiative

I oversee a national STEM teacher development program designed to support teacher and student success in advanced STEM classrooms.

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Nueces (Upstairs)

Integrating Computational Thinking / Computer Science / Cybersecurity into other subjects, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)

11:15am CDT

Coding Through Music: Engaging Students from Elementary to High School

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Nueces (Upstairs)

Discover how to integrate music and computer science to engage students of all ages in coding. This session explores Code.org’s Music Lab for introducing loops, variables, and algorithms in elementary classrooms, as well as EarSketch, which uses Python and JavaScript for advanced music production in middle and high school. Participants will gain hands-on experience coding musical compositions, fostering computational thinking and creativity. Learn how these tools make CS accessible and meaningful, breaking barriers to participation in STEM.

CS and/or Cybersecurity Content Knowledge Level Required: Everyone. No prior knowledge required.

Presenters

Victor Hicks

Founder & CEO, Coding with Culture

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Nueces (Upstairs)

Integrating Computational Thinking / Computer Science / Cybersecurity into other subjects, K-12

1:30pm CDT

Why Sense of Belonging Matters (And How to Increase It)

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Nueces (Upstairs)

Building students’ sense of belonging is critical to recruiting, engaging, and retaining them in computer science (CS). When students feel they belong, they are ready to engage on a deeper level. However, girls often feel they do not belong in CS classes. Our research lab has been studying when and why these gender gaps emerge in CS to help teachers address them. Teachers will be presented with research findings in a simple, actionable, and fun way to discuss in a community of practice. Teachers will leave with an action plan to promote their students' belonging.

CS and/or Cybersecurity Content Knowledge Level Required: Everyone. No prior knowledge required.

Presenters

Summer Robinson

Graduate Student/Research Assistant, University of Houston

Hi, my name is Summer Robinson! I am a Ph.D. student in the Measurement, Quantitative Methods, and Learning Sciences program at the University of Houston. I am an educator with experience as a classroom teacher, creating video lessons for local television, and a district-level instructional... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Nueces (Upstairs)

Broadening Participation, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)