About Us
WHO ARE WE?
CSTA Central Texas was established as your local computer science community. This chapter was built to connect you with other computer science teachers, provide professional development to help you improve your craft, and connect your local voice to the national computer science education community.
Chapter President - Sylvia Wood
Sylvia was introduced to STEM Education many years before it was known as STEM. Her introduction to computer science was through the former middle school course: Computer Literacy. Fast-forward ten years, she found herself teaching AP Computer Science A in Turbo Pascal. In the first 15 years of her teaching career, she also taught several levels of math, as well as, Technology Applications courses. Sylvia also has taught CS 1 (Introduction to CS), AP Computer Science Principles, Digital Forensics, and Foundations of Cybersecurity. Most of her teaching experience has been in the Klein ISD school district. She currently teaches at a small private school in North Austin. In addition to teaching, she is a Code.org Facilitator for APCS Principles & APCS A. Sylvia has been a volunteer for FIRST Robotics where she has served as a team mentor, regional/world judge, and steering committee member, Her professional memberships include: ISTE, TCEA, CS4TX, CSforAll, Beyond 100Kin10, and of course CSTA.
Chapter Vice President - Mark Emry
Mark has taught are: Exploring Computer Science, Cybersecurity, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP), Mobile Application Development, Digital Forensics, and Cybersecurity Capstone.
He has served as a Assistant Chief Reader, Question Leader or Table leader for the reading of the AP CSP exam since its inception in 2017. In addition, as part of the Research Experiences for Teachers grant, Mr. Emry developed a Cybersecurity curriculum which has been implemented in high schools across South Dakota, and recently was awarded the 2019 & 2023 NCWIT Aspirations Educator Award.
Mark believes that meaningful learning is relevant to students' lives and is rigorous enough to challenge them. His student-centered classrooms are engaging and are built upon inquiry and questioning. Mark is the Denim Club member for the G100 global think tank, Cybersecurity wing. Lastly, he understands that building solid relationships with his students is at the core of meaningful learning.
He has served as a Assistant Chief Reader, Question Leader or Table leader for the reading of the AP CSP exam since its inception in 2017. In addition, as part of the Research Experiences for Teachers grant, Mr. Emry developed a Cybersecurity curriculum which has been implemented in high schools across South Dakota, and recently was awarded the 2019 & 2023 NCWIT Aspirations Educator Award.
Mark believes that meaningful learning is relevant to students' lives and is rigorous enough to challenge them. His student-centered classrooms are engaging and are built upon inquiry and questioning. Mark is the Denim Club member for the G100 global think tank, Cybersecurity wing. Lastly, he understands that building solid relationships with his students is at the core of meaningful learning.
Chapter Treasurer - Gentry Atkins
Joining the faculty of St. Edwards University has been an incredible step forward for me as an educator and computer scientist. This institution puts great effort into educating its students and I couldn't be more proud to part of that process.
I enjoyed my time at Texas State University as a PhD student and as an instructional assistant. The opportunities I had to teach young (or beginning) computer science students were awesome and conducting research in machine learning was equal parts frustrating and fascinating. But it was the fascinating parts that kept me motivated.
I recently reached the end of a period of service with the US Army. That time was challenging but very rewarding. I operated, diagnosed, and maintained a wide variety of wireless, tactical systems. One of my days could have been IT support and network administration just as easily as it could have been building an FM re-transmission station in a remote location.
I studied Computer Science at Texas State University in San, Marcos TX. I earned my degree summa cum laude in 2014. While studying there I was privileged to participate in active research in computer vision and virtual pedagogy, resulting in the production of the Musing iOS app. I also studied Computer Information Systems at Portland Community College, earning an AAS in 2010.
I am fascinated by anything robotic or robot-related.
I enjoyed my time at Texas State University as a PhD student and as an instructional assistant. The opportunities I had to teach young (or beginning) computer science students were awesome and conducting research in machine learning was equal parts frustrating and fascinating. But it was the fascinating parts that kept me motivated.
I recently reached the end of a period of service with the US Army. That time was challenging but very rewarding. I operated, diagnosed, and maintained a wide variety of wireless, tactical systems. One of my days could have been IT support and network administration just as easily as it could have been building an FM re-transmission station in a remote location.
I studied Computer Science at Texas State University in San, Marcos TX. I earned my degree summa cum laude in 2014. While studying there I was privileged to participate in active research in computer vision and virtual pedagogy, resulting in the production of the Musing iOS app. I also studied Computer Information Systems at Portland Community College, earning an AAS in 2010.
I am fascinated by anything robotic or robot-related.
Chapter Secretary - Nicole Alexander
Nicole has a Bachelors of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University and a Masters of Education in Digital Learning in Leading from Lamar University.
Nicole currently teaches at Rouse HS in Leander ISD. She loves all things technology, creative, and fun. Her goal as an educator is to make sure my kids know that they are #1 LOVED no matter what and #2 able to take risks and explore because my room is a safe space. Nicole strives to make sure my kids know that we all make mistakes, even she, and we must learn and grow from them – that’s the fun part! They talk about change and growth constantly in her classroom. She has also coached 8th Grade girls Volleyball. She grew up playing the sport and loves passing her knowledge on to the next generation of players. They have even taught her a thing or two!
Nicole currently teaches at Rouse HS in Leander ISD. She loves all things technology, creative, and fun. Her goal as an educator is to make sure my kids know that they are #1 LOVED no matter what and #2 able to take risks and explore because my room is a safe space. Nicole strives to make sure my kids know that we all make mistakes, even she, and we must learn and grow from them – that’s the fun part! They talk about change and growth constantly in her classroom. She has also coached 8th Grade girls Volleyball. She grew up playing the sport and loves passing her knowledge on to the next generation of players. They have even taught her a thing or two!