One Voice in CS Podcast

In this episode of One Voice in CS, host Julie York talks with Anthony Barba, a 26-year teaching veteran and CS teacher at East Valley High in Yakima, Washington, about the "disengagement gap" — a 2025 Brookings Institution finding that only 26% of 10th graders find school interesting or relevant. Anthony walks through the four modes of student engagement (passenger, achiever, resister, explorer) and shares how a trauma-informed, choice-driven classroom — physical computing tools, calming aesthetics, student-set grading benchmarks, and his "untutorial" approach with tiered technical menus — can move students toward the explorer mode. He also discusses shifting the teacher's role from technical expert to "lead designer," and describes using AI (via the PRIM model: predict, run, investigate/modify, make) to help students debug and deepen their understanding while giving teachers more bandwidth in a classroom of 27–30 students.

In this episode of One Voice in CS, host Shawn Patrick Higgins sits down with Vicky Sedgwick, Dan Blier, and Sara Gifford to talk about Using the CSTA Student Standards for CS to improve practice, and a new free, self-paced course that helps teachers reflect on their practice through the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers. Vicky and Dan have been part of the Reflective Teachers work group since 2019 and explain why a course was always the goal: there are only so many conference sessions two people can give, and every teacher, with or without a local chapter, deserves a way in whenever they are ready. Sara piloted the course as a middle school CS teacher and shares what happened when she picked one standard, worked through it with an AI thought partner instead of a discussion board, and brought the ideas back to the class that was giving her the hardest time. Along the way the three talk about how teacher feedback reshaped the materials, how chapters can take the course together, and what changes now that the 2026 PK-12 student standards are here.

Dr. Marcus Borders, a learning innovation specialist with EdFarm, shares how a parent's generosity in his Title I elementary classroom sparked a lifelong commitment to empowering families with technology. Drawing on 17 years in education and his doctoral research — a qualitative case study with parents of elementary-age students — Marcus explores how teachers, parents, and coaches all need personalized, human-centered support when it comes to ed tech. He emphasizes meeting people where they are, building empathy through research and lived experience, and finding creative low-barrier strategies (including the memorable "Potty PD") to keep communication alive and innovation moving forward.

What happens when artificial intelligence can generate answers in seconds, but students still need to learn how to think critically, make decisions, and solve real-world problems?

In this episode of One Voice in CS, hosts Dr. Marcus Borders, Bettie Mustatt-Parker, and Shanna Bohrer sit down with educator, filmmaker, and AI innovator Tarquinn Curry to explore one of the most important questions facing education today: How do we design learning experiences that remain meaningful in the age of AI?

Tarquinn introduces his "Prediction Zone vs. Judgment Zone" framework, challenging educators to rethink assignments, assessments, and classroom experiences in a world where AI can predict and generate content with increasing accuracy. Together, the group discusses how educators can move beyond simply detecting AI use and instead create learning opportunities that prioritize human reasoning, creativity, reflection, and decision-making.

The conversation explores responsible AI integration, equitable access to emerging technologies, and practical strategies educators can use to help students develop the skills that machines cannot easily replicate. Whether you're new to AI or already experimenting with it in your classroom, this episode offers a thoughtful and actionable look at what teaching and learning can become when we focus less on what AI can do and more on what learners should do.

This episode of One Voice in CS features host Julie York in conversation with Anindita Nath, an interdisciplinary data scientist with deep roots in AI/ML and a strong commitment to CS education. Anindita shares her journey from a humble background in India — where her parents were her first and most important mentors — through a pivotal coding competition that bridged her love of abstract mathematics with computer science, to earning a full scholarship for a PhD program at the University of Texas at El Paso. Along the way, she credits a series of mentors (including a substitute teacher and her PhD advisor) for opening doors she didn't know existed. Now established in her field, she gives back through programs like Microsoft TEALS, Girls Who Code, CodePath, and Data for Impact, with a particular focus on supporting women and underrepresented groups in STEM. The conversation centers on the compounding power of mentorship, the importance of belonging in CS classrooms, and practical advice for teachers on guiding students toward resources and visibility.

How do we create learning experiences where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed?

In this episode of One Voice in CS, hosts Dr. Marcus Borders, Bettie Mustatt-Parker, and Shanna Bohrer sit down with educator and learning designer Spence Ray to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, accessibility, and human-centered learning.

Drawing from experiences in both traditional and virtual learning environments, Spence shares insights on designing classrooms that prioritize belonging, support neurodivergent learners, and leverage technology in ways that enhance — not replace — meaningful human connection. The conversation examines how educators can thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies while maintaining a focus on equity, student agency, and authentic learning experiences.

Together, the hosts and Spence discuss the importance of creating inclusive spaces where learners can thrive, the role of empathy in educational design, and practical considerations for educators navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in education. Whether you're a classroom teacher, instructional coach, district leader, or simply curious about the future of learning, this episode offers valuable perspectives on keeping people at the center of innovation.

In this episode of One Voice in CS, host Shawn Patrick Higgins sits down with three CSTA equity fellows — Michelle, Leah, and Coach Hicks — to discuss their collaboratively built course, Empowering CS for New Teachers. All three came to CS teaching without a CS background, each receiving their own version of "the phone call" that landed them in a classroom they hadn't planned for. Drawing on those lived experiences, they designed the course to address the most common pain points for new CS teachers: navigating available curriculum, combating isolation, building a professional network, and overcoming imposter syndrome. The conversation moves beyond logistics into something deeper — all three reflect on how their most effective teaching moments came not from mastering content, but from prioritizing relationships, creating safe and structured environments, and connecting students to real-world relevance. The episode closes with a resonant shared message: every teacher is a CS teacher, and no one has to figure it out alone.

In this episode of One Voice in CS, host Julie York speaks with Allison Braley, Computer Science Specialist at the Maine Department of Education and former middle school CS teacher. Allison shares how her classroom experiences, from rethinking the importance of HTML to witnessing a struggling student thrive through coding, shaped a philosophy centered on computational thinking, failure recovery, and equitable access over programming expertise. She discusses the unique collaboration happening in Maine between CS and AI education, the challenge of supporting K–8 generalist teachers who feel unqualified to teach CS, and why getting students , especially girls and special education students, into computer science early is the most powerful equity tool available.

Recorded live at the CAL-MSCS Models of Practice Summit in beautiful Monterey, CA, this episode features candid interviews with educators and leaders across California who are helping to reimagine and expand access to computer science. Hear from classroom teachers Garrett Lloyd, Aimee Lee, and Justin Jimenez as they share their growth as CS beginners and what they’re eager to bring back to their students.

Principal Kip Glazer offers powerful insight on resilience, purpose, and leading with heart. Steering committee members and statewide CS champions Rudy Escobar, Lilibeth Mora, Doug Henderson, and Shaina Glass discuss identity, access, and collaboration across diverse communities. From entry points to equity, from resources to real talk—this episode captures the collective momentum toward ensuring CS is for all.

Host Shawn Patrick Higgins edits the interview between Justine Chavez-Crespin and Evan Shieh, Executive Director of the Young Data Scientist League, whose work centers on data justice and critical AI literacy. Evan shares how his organization's Data Is Power program puts students from underrepresented communities in the driver's seat on AI ethics — analyzing bias in language models, studying unequal tech access, and presenting findings at international conferences. He reflects on his own path into CS, from feeling like an outsider in college to building machine learning models during ACL rehab, and makes the case that the most important skills in the AI era aren't advanced math or coding — they're curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking, and the ability to connect technical work to real human communities.