Counselors for Computing Consultants

Kim Crumbley

Kim Crumbley has experienced education at the elementary, middle, and high school levels during her sixteen years in education. Eight years ago she felt as though she found her niche when she became the school counselor at Parkside School. Kim’s creative flair and excitement make her guidance classes magical and memorable. Kim’s school, Parkside School, recently gained international attention for their exceptional culture and climate when Warner Brothers, the Today Show, and the cast of the Harry Potter movies visited the school. Kim earned her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of West Alabama. She has also worked as an advocate and educator for parents of special needs children. She is a mom of two boys and one granddaughter! She lives in Fairview, Alabama, with her husband, son, and Australian Shepard. Kim has spoken nationally at multiple conferences on topics ranging from data, climate and culture, using virtual reality to teach careers, and many other topics! She and her colleague, Laura, have recently started a podcast and video podcast where they discuss all things school counseling.

Tiffany Davis

Dedicated School Counselor at Union Springs Elementary in Bullock County School District, holding a bachelor’s degree in political science and advanced degrees—an M.A. and Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health. My initial passion for Computer Science, rooted in high school, fueled my college major, despite language barriers with professors. Committed to fostering a positive learning environment for students. I am a Mother of two sets of twins 23 & 12 year olds who enjoy spending time with family.

Veronica Jefferson

As a counselor, I am dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion and understanding. My expertise in middle and high school counseling has grown my development in personalized strategies for emotional growth and resilience. My approach combines evidence-based techniques with a supportive, non-judgemental environment to empower students toward lasting change and growth. I believe in the importance of building trust and providing a safe space for self-discovery and healing.

Laura Rankhorn

Laura Rankhorn worked in other professions before finding her love for education. She is the school counselor at Good Hope Middle School and holds an EdS in school counseling from the University of West Alabama, a Masters degree in School Counseling from the University of North Alabama, and a BBA from Middle Tennessee State University. Laura has spoken nationally at multiple conferences on topics ranging from data, climate and culture, using virtual reality to teach careers, and many other topics! She and her colleague, Kim, wrote a book, Growing Your Program for School Counselors, and they host the Counselor Accents Podcast, which was recently named the #1 school counseling podcast in the nation!

Twitter: @LauraRankhorn
Instagram: @Counseloraccents

Kelli Dockery

My name is Kelli Dockery, and I’m a new C4C consultant!  This is my 25th year as an educator.  I taught third grade for 6 years, and I have been an elementary school counselor for 19 years!  My passion in life is spending time with my family,  chasing after my 3-year old nephew helping others in need.  

I’m truly excited to be a member of the NCWIT family and to have the opportunity to help students and teachers learn about various STEM opportunities in order to advance to their next levels and quality of life.

Debra Myton

Debra Myton is enthusiastic about helping young girls with STEM, as well as, consulting and training counselors/teachers for computing. Going into her 29^th year as an educator, she has previously served as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in various school districts in the State of Arkansas. She is currently working as a high school counselor in the Little Rock School District in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has served as the secretary of the Arkansas Counseling Association, and she is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Debra holds degrees in Business Education; Business Marketing; Office Systems Management; and Administration and Supervision. Debra achieved National Board Certification in Early Childhood through Young Adulthood School Guidance and Counseling, Teacher of the Year in the Little Rock School District as a School Counselor and became the author of the book Bound by Faith. 

In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and Jamaica; grandson Akil, and the family dog (Husky/Lab Mix).

Nathan Watkins

I am Nathan Watkins. I am a school counselor in Arkansas. I serve many socioeconomic disadvantaged students. I have a wife and two sons. I love to travel and learn new things. Also, I love the Razorbacks too!

Patrick Chen

Patrick Chen has spent his life using his lived and professional experiences to support his students with their educational journeys. As an immigrant and first generation college graduate, he knows how critical the role a school counselor plays in a student’s life. He currently works as a district head counselor for the San Diego Unified School District coordinating the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education program. Prior to this role, he worked as a resource counselor for students experiencing homelessness, in the foster care system, who are military-connected, and with refugee/newcomer status. He had also spent time working as a high school counselor. Patrick is new to being a consultant for C4C and he is excited to expand his student advocacy work to include advocating CS for underrepresented and underserved students.

Shirley Miranda

Shirley Miranda earned her B.S. in Computer Engineering at UCSD then worked as a software development engineer creating front-end and back-end business software for government and private industry. Her continued volunteer work with high school students through the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) inspired her to go into teaching. She is a Computer Science and Engineering Resource Teacher (K-12) at San Diego Unified School District, San Diego County Teacher of the Year, and an author.

Andreanna Murphy

Andreanna Murphy is celebrating her 24th year in education. She started her career as a middle school science teacher and has worked as a middle school and high school counselor. For the past eight years, she has worked as a District Head Counselor for the San Diego Unified School District. She has led programs in social emotion, academic and career learning. As a parent of school-aged children, former teacher and current school counselor, Andreanna has a comprehensive approach to improve student learning and engagement. She strongly believes in the importance of developing the whole child and encouraging others in education to do the same.

Katherine Velliquette

Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt)-Retired Katherine Velliquette is an immigrant from Colombia and was raised in Queens, NY from the age of four. She graduated from Newtown High School, Queens, NY in June 1996. She began college but thought joining the Marine Corps was a better idea. GySgt Velliquette went to Recruit Training, Parris Island, Beaufort, South Carolina on April 18th, 2000. While on active duty, GySgt Velliquette completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland, University College.

Upon completion of Recruit Training, Marine Combat Training, and Field Radio Operator Course in 2000, GySgt Velliquette reported to 9th Communication Battalion, Marine Headquarters Group, Camp Pendleton, CA where she served as a Field Radio Operator. GySgt Velliquette had the honor of being attached to various units and participating in deployments with the Command Element, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During that time, she assisted in Operation Anaconda in support of Operation Enduring Freedom immediately following the September 11 attacks. She later went on to support the Force Service Support Group 31, Headquarters and Service Company in Okinawa Japan, and the MEU Service Support Group 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. GySgt Velliquette served in units such as Marine Wing Communication Squadron 18, I Marine Air Wing in Okinawa, Japan, Marine Wing Communication Squadron 38, III Marine Air Wing, in Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California. GySgt Velliquette served in roles such as Platoon Sergeant, Substance Abuse Control Officer, Uniformed Victim Advocate, Spectrum Manager, and Communication Chief.

After retiring from the military, Ms. Velliquette was hired by Tyco SimplexGrinnell as a Project Manager in the Fire Alarm division. There, she accurately tracked simultaneous schedules for Fire Alarm, Security, Intercom, and Public Address project scopes, to meet Fire Code requirements. Furthermore, Ms. Velliquette ran risk analyses, generated risk reports, and provided recommendations for risk mitigation to deliver a safe environment by conducting site inspections and construction surveys.

After Ms. Velliquette attended the University of San Diego’s School of Business and completed her Master of Science in Global Leadership, she realized she belonged in the classroom. She began working for the Sweetwater Union High School District in Chula Vista, California as a Career and Technical Education teacher in the Information and Communication Technology Pathway and as a Career and Technical Education in Business and Finance Pathway at Launch Virtual Academy. Ms. Velliquette had the privilege of mentoring students through the STEAM Summer Bridge Programs, such as VEX Robotics, Qualcomm’s Thinkabit Lab camps, and AirForce Association’s CyberCamp.

Sandy Austin

Sandy Austin is a Colorado school counselor at Brady High School, Jefferson County Public School District. She has been a school counselor for 24 years and a teacher for 10 years. Sandy served two terms as President of the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA) and one term as President of the Guidance and Career Division of the Colorado Association of Career and Technical Educators. Sandy was named a finalist for National School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association in 2011, and was Colorado High School Counselor of the Year in 2007.

Sandy has written three books and numerous articles, and has spoken across the country at conferences and in radio and television interviews, about counseling in response to tragedies affecting school communities.

Sandy supervises the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team (Believe It Or Not I Care) school club, which empowers students to reach out to support struggling peers who are new, sick, bullied, hospitalized, or lose loved ones, and staff and school communities suffering with tragedies from suicides to gun violence. B.I.O.N.I.C. clubs, now supported by Sandy’s nonprofit, have had over 2,300 schools (elementary through college) across the world inquiring about B.I.O.N.I.C.

Meredith Chicklas

I am Meredith Chicklas, a school counselor in Jefferson County, Colorado. I attended Michigan State University for my bachelor’s in Biological Science interdepartmental with Education and taught science at both the middle school and high school level for 7 years. I attended the University of Colorado Denver to complete my Master of Arts in school counseling and have been a high school counselor since 2021. I am also working towards obtaining my Licensure to become a Professional Clinical Counselor. 

As a school counselor and advocate, I provide support to students in their academics, career, and social/emotional development. As a Counselors for Computing (C4C) Consultant, I recognize the vital role that counselors play in promoting computer science education and hope to provide guidance and encouragement to my students about the benefits and opportunities within the computing field.

Patricia Swanz-Reiners

Pati Swanz-Reiners is an Elementary School Counselor at N.B. Cook Elementary School of the Arts in Escambia County, Pensacola, FL. She is a graduate of South Dakota State University where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development and her undergraduate degree in Sociology. Pati has over 14 years of experience in the area of K-12 school counseling and has had the honor of working in South Dakota, Iowa, and Florida.

Recently, Pati received her third Grant for Excellence from the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation as well as an additional Teacher Assist grant from State Farm. Pati believes that the future of education is changing, and her grants, Google Expeditions: Voyage into the Unknown and Mission: Possible with LEGO, and STEAM Work makes the Dream Work, will be the catalyst for the change at her school. Pati is a firm believer that providing technological opportunities will be the spark that changes the landscape for her students. She recognizes the most profound benefit of all of her grants is that it levels the educational playing field for ALL students. It provides equity in the classroom regardless of the student’s gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Because of Pati’s efforts in the area of equity, she was named as one of the top four finalists for the 2020 Educator of the Year Award by Reinvented Magazine!

During the summer, Pati also works for the University of West Florida in the Summer Camp program teaching elementary students about LEGO Robotics and coding.

Christy Conley

Christy Conley is a dedicated and compassionate school counselor who has dedicated her career to nurturing students’ academic, emotional, and social growth. With a heart full of empathy and dedication to advocacy, Christy is a beacon of support and guidance for students and their families.

Born and raised with a deep sense of community in rural Georgia, Christy developed an early passion for helping others. Her educational journey led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia, where she discovered her innate ability to connect with people on a personal level. Recognizing her calling to impact young lives positively, Christy pursued a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Columbus State University and a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology for Argosy University, solidifying her commitment to education.

Christy works as a school counselor at North Oconee High School, where she believes that counseling goes beyond academic achievement. She believes in nurturing well-rounded individuals by addressing emotional well-being, personal growth, and future aspirations. Through one-on-one counseling sessions, group workshops, and thoughtful guidance, Christy empowers students to overcome obstacles, develop resilience, and set meaningful goals for their future. With a keen understanding of students’ unique challenges, Christy works tirelessly to create a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and supported. With her as a guiding light, countless students embark on their future journeys with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.

Laura Ross

Laura Ross is the lead counselor at Five Forks Middle School in Lawrenceville, Georgia where her focus is authentically connecting with students to connect them to their education. She has been a school counselor for 17 years. Laura was an elementary school counselor for 8 years and has been a middle school counselor now for 9 years. At her middle school, Laura also serves on the instructional leadership team and as the advisor for Peer Leading, Gay-Straight Alliance, and Cultural Fusion Club. She has presented at the district, state, and national levels on creating school wide teacher-student connections, integrating social studies in counseling lessons, using data in school counseling, harnessing the power of student voice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) topics. Laura currently serves on the Georgia School Counselor Association Executive Board as Immediate Past President and was the 2020 American School Counselor Association School Counselor of the Year.

Twitter: LRossSchCnslr
Instagram: LRossSchCnslr
Blog: www.theconectingcounselor.com

Bradley Fisher

Bradley Fisher has been the technology coordinator at Walt Disney Magnet School, Chicago Public Schools, for 19 years. Bradley has helped infuse technology into Disney’s curriculum in many ways, going from a school with a single computer lab to 18 labs, deploying over 100 interactive whiteboards, 1 in every classroom, and a leading a schoolwide rollout of 2000 iPads. The school’s dual focus of the arts and technology often drives new curricular programs, including the creation of an animation lab, digital music program, and a robust technology infused performing arts program.

Bradley has presented widely on various educational technology topics at many conferences including ISTE, ICE (Illinois Computing Educators), and CPS Tech Talk. Bradley was invited to the Obama White House to present his school’s commitments to expand computer science at the WH CS for All Conference in 2016.

Bradley helped Disney join the first cohort of CPS elementary schools to roll out a school-wide computer science curriculum, and he co-teaches an after school CS club with a volunteer from Apple. Disney students are partnering in the CPS vision program to develop an app that allows users to design their own eyeglass frames, and have them 3D printed in the school’s maker space.

In his free time, Bradley likes to go on bike tours with his daughter, Lilia, who has special needs. He is a volunteer coordinator for “Bike Camping for Everyone!”.

Rachel Madrid

Rachel Madrid is High School Counselor/Alumni Coordinator for Chicago Public Schools and Consultant for the NCWIT’s Counselors 4 Computing (C4C)

Born and raised in Barstow California, after high school she zizagged her way through work, community college and community work making the trek to UCLA where she was an extremely active member within the community and school programs that promoted equitable access and improvement of education.
After graduation from UCLA in 2004 Rachel headed to Chicago pursuing a professional degree without ever having set foot in the city prior. She secured a summer clerkship as the clerk for the Chief Judge of the Cook County Juvenile Court, which planted the seed to explore a possible career change in education. After ten years working and volunteering in the wonderful city she now calls home, she went back to school completing a Master’s Degree in Counseling at DePaul University in 2015 and has been working as a high school counselor for almost 9 years.

Rachel’s most proud accomplishments are the over 592 student drop in office visits, the 47 plus classroom push-in lessons, the over 200+ parent/guardian contacts and the over 300+ alumni contacts she makes throughout each year she works with our wonderful young people of Chicago.

Rachel’s goal in life is to bring quality education and opportunities to all students she encounters directly or indirectly and to help those that educate them through ongoing professional development.

Jane Mason

Jane Mason is a Course Developer at the University of Oklahoma where she works with online master’s programs. Jane received her Master’s in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. In addition, she worked as the program manager of CSforIN, an initiative to empower all Hoosier students from kindergarten through high school to learn computer science and be equipped with the computational thinking skills they need to thrive in a digitally powered economy.

(Twitter: @CSforIN, @BomkampJane).

Alexandria Dean

Ali Dean is from Colorado and currently makes her home in Calvert County, Maryland. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from University of Northern Colorado (Go Bears!) and her Master’s in School Counseling from Loyola University Maryland.

Ali Dean is a School Counselor for Windy Hill Middle School. She has been a counselor for 8 years, and prior to that worked in Higher Education in Academic Advising and New Student Enrollment. She has been working with C4C since the 2016 Professional Development at the Colorado School of Mines. She loves presenting as well as providing 1:1 support for promoting

Leslie Schroeck

Leslie Schroeck is a retired educator who worked 32 years for Charles County Public Schools in Maryland. During her tenure, she served as a middle school mathematics teacher, school counselor, and high school instructional resource teacher. She currently works part time as a mentor for new teachers in addition to recently starting as a Counselors for Computing consultant.

MaKenzie Johnson

MaKenzie has been a school counselor for 12 years working with students in grades 6-12. In 2019, she attended a CS for All Summit in Pennsylvania after first being exposed to CS at the MN School Counselors Association Conference. Since that time she has become a consultant for Counselors for Computing, a program developed by NCWIT, to help counselors join the front line of the computing conversation. She joined the C4C team as Content Developer in 2022 and enjoys the behind the scenes work of research and development of programs. 

She is passionate about CS and the opportunities it has for all students and the community in which she lives. She hopes to help educate other counselors and teachers on their role in exposing students to CS. She spends her time hiking the vast trails in Duluth with her husband, two daughter and puppy Lester. 

LinkedIn: MaKenzie Johnson

Instagram: @kenz55806

Jill Vollmers

Jill Vollmers has been a school counselor for 14 years, 11 of those years have been at  St. Mary’s Central High School, Bismarck, ND..  

In the summer of 2019, Jill attended the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) K-12 CS Alignment in Dallas, TX where she was exposed to C4C and had the opportunity to listen to the programming that C4C offers.  As a result of this exposure Jill became a consultant for C4C – Counselors for Computing a subsidiary of NCWIT – National Center for Women & Information Technology helping to encourage the next computer scientists.

Jill was the recipient of North Dakota State University’s 2013 Distinguished Education Professional, she also serves as a Board Member and Treasurer for Project  Armchair, an organization that reads to children in crisis in the Bismarck area.  She stays busy chasing after her family, enjoys reading, binging Netflix, cooking/baking and radiating positivity.

Jennifer Correnti

Jennifer is the Director of School Counseling at Harrison High School and has been a High School Counselor for 16 years after spending 9 years as a History teacher. Empowering students through a growth mindset, she has advocated for new course offerings that break down barriers to post-secondary success including access for all student to STEM programming. An NCWIT’s Counselor for Computing consultant for 5 years, Jennifer is passionate about encouraging school counselors to embracing their role as agents of change. Jennifer Correnti received the 2020 Hudson County Counselor of Year award. She is the President-elect of the New Jersey School Counselor Association and their By-Laws chair. Jennifer’s intentional efforts to broaden participation in computing in her high school is recognized by the College Board with the 2020 and 2023 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, which recognizes schools that expand access to AP computer science.

Jennifer is a member of American School Counselor Association, New Jersey School Counselor Association, New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counselors and New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association.

Snehal Bhatka

Currently, Snehal is a CTE Administrator employed for the 5th largest school district in the country, Clark County School District(CCSD) focusing on ensuring Nevada’s future workforce is prepared for success. Snehal has worked on projects related to increasing student and community participation with National Job Shadow Day, started an Annual Student Workforce & Innovation Summit for seniors, promoted growth of Career & Technical Student Organizations, and leads CCSD’s #GirlsinSTEM and #GirlsinTECH Initiative as well as supporting STEM Equity and Diversity programs across 59 middle and 47 high schools especially for those students that are underserved and underrepresented.

Mr. Bhakta also serves as the Nevada Affiliate Coordinator for NCWIT(National Center for Women & Information Technology), a legislative member for the Society of Information Management(SIM) of Las Vegas, a steering committee member for the Intermountain STEM Steering Committee, and holds board positions on several other local organizations.  In 2017, he was awarded the Top Tech Exec Award in the Education Category by Cox Communications, and in 2019, the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity(NAPE) awarded Snehal the 2019 Rising Star award at their National Summit for Educational Equity in Washington, D.C. and received the COX Business 2019 Top Tech Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with diversity in the workforce in Southern Nevada.  Mr. Bhakta has also been appointed in 2020 to the Governor’s Advisory Board for STEM, Nevada State(NDE) Multicultural Committee, National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity(NAPE) Executive Committee, and the Inclusion, Access, Equity and Diversity Taskforce for the Association of Career and Technical Education(ACTE).

In his free time, he enjoys watching movies in the theater, spending time playing video games with his daughter and walking their rescue dog.

Christy Zamora

Christy Zamora is a school counselor in the Clark Country School District in Henderson, Nevada.

Kristina Holzweiss

Kristina A. Holzweiss is an award-winning educator since 1995, author, speaker, and adjunct professor. She is an ed tech librarian in a New York public high school and has won numerous awards for her teaching including the School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, and a National School Board “20 to Watch” emerging education technology leader. Kristina is also the winner of the NYSCATE Lee Bryant Outstanding Teacher Award and the Long Island Technology Summit Fred Podolski Leadership and Innovation Award. Recently, Kristina as selected to represent librarians in the Princesses with Power Tools STEM calendar.

Kristina is an international speaker on libraries and the Maker Movement, and has presented at conferences including ISTE, AASL, ALA, and NYSCATE. In 2016 she was invited to represent Long Island, NY in Washington, D.C. during the National Week of Making. From 2015 to 2017 she hosted SLIME – Students of Long Island Maker Expo, a regional event where schools, libraries, museums, nonprofit organizations, civic associations, and educational companies celebrated creativity and innovation.

Kristina earned her Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Spanish from Adelphi University, a Master’s degree in English and a certificate in secondary English education from CUNY Queens College, a certificate in educational technology from SUNY Stony Brook University, and her Master’s in Library Science LIU – CW Post Palmer School of Library & Information Science. She is currently pursuing a certificate in computer science education from Molloy University.

Kristina supports new and veteran school librarians through her writings that include The School Library Planner she created in partnership with Demco, and Hacking School Libraries co-written with Stony Evans. She has written 8 makerspace books for Scholastic and 2 transportation books for littles for Rockridge Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster.

Kristina lives by the belief “On a good day I teach. On a great day I learn.” Learn with Kristina through her website bunheadwithducttape.com. Connect with with her on Twitter at @lieberrian, or join her Facebook groups:

School Libraries Rock

Canva Librarians

The School Library Planner Community

Erin Campbell

Erin Campbell is beginning her 11th year as a K-5 School Counselor in the Mifflin County School District in central Pennsylvania. In addition not being a C4C Consultant, she has previously served as a Board Director for the Pennsylvania School Counselor’s Association.

When not engaged in school counseling responsibilities, Erin enjoys spending time with her family and teaching group fitness classes!

Twitter: @erebss
Instagram: @erebss

Christina Green

Dr. Christina U. Green is a passionate school counselor in Pennsylvania with over 19 years experience working in the field of education and counseling. Dr. Green has experience working in rural, urban, and suburban school districts as a school counselor. She has also served as a community mental health counselor and college academic counselor. Dr. Green is currently working in the School District of Philadelphia and also serves as a part-time professor at USC. Dr. Green is a consultant for the National Center or Women and Information Technology Counselors for Computing provides professional school counselors with information and resources they can use to support students as they explore computer science education and careers. Dr. Green is a strong advocate for the profession of school counseling and is a firm believer that school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student achievement and success.

Let’s connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaugreen/

Sylvester Hanner

Native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Sylvester C. Hanner is a recent graduate of Duquesne University’s Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral program. His research initiatives focus on developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive school counseling programs to promote African-American students’ academic success, college and career readiness, and social-emotional growth through social justice frameworks. Dr. Hanner has worked as a school counselor for 10 years and currently serves as a school counselor at Pittsburgh Obama 6-12. His school counseling experiences include working in K-12 public and private school systems and creating and implementing data-driven school counseling programs.

In addition, Dr. Hanner is a trainer for the American School Counseling Association and also serves as a RAMP reviewer.

Jennifer Kirk

Dr. Jennifer N. Kirk is in her 13th year as the Counseling Curriculum Leader at Upper St. Clair High School. Prior to this position she supported students for 14 years as a K-12, Middle and High School Counselor. She is a consultant with NPR and K-12 Dive. Kirk was featured on the NBC Nightly News series “Checking in on America’s high schools in this unprecedented year” throughout the 2020-2021 school year. She has served in various leadership roles; Board Chair and Secretary of PSCA, President of local School Counselor Association, committee chair with PACAC and board director with PASAP. Kirk has presented locally, statewide and nationally on a number of topics including leadership, LGBTQ+ topics, advocacy, mentorship and consultation, mental health and more. She has and continues to work diligently to advocate for all students and create inclusive environments to allow all students access to positive outcomes. Kirk was awarded the 2014 PSCA High School Counselor of the year, 2018 Duquesne University Counseling Supervisor of the Year, and was a 2019 College Board Recognized Counselor.

Alicia Oglesby

Alicia is currently the Associate Director of College Counseling at Winchester Thurston in Pittsburgh. She’s spent the last 10 years working with 9th – 12th grade students using the ASCA model and the social justice framework by Teaching Tolerance, now known as Learning for Justice. She lives in Pittsburgh with her daughter and was state School Counselor of the Year for Washington DC in 2018. She has authored articles for ASCA and NACAC. She is also co-author of “Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling”. Alicia is an avid supporter of Black and brown girls in CS!

Twitter: always_oges
LinkedIn: Alicia Oglesby

Nicole Sayre

Nicki Sayre is currently an elementary counselor in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. She began her career at the elementary level, spent 19 years in middle school, and has since transitioned back to working with elementary students. During her time in middle school, she coached volleyball and softball and served as the building PBIS Coordinator. She was named PA School Counselor Association’s Middle School Counselor of the Year in 2016 and spent three years on the board of the PSCA. She spent ten years as an adjunct professor in the School Counseling Program at Eastern and West Chester Universities.

Nicki began her involvement with C4C after her first summit in June, 2018. She has enjoyed presenting various workshops and promoting equity and inclusion in the field of computer science.

Stephen Sharp

Stephen Sharp is a school counselor and Apple Certified Educator. He has worked to provide students with the knowledge and skills to be healthy and successful in the 21st century. Stephen previously worked in his school district as a technology leader, and served on the governing boards of both his local and state school counseling associations. Stephen completed his M.Ed at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, and BA from Lycoming College.

Stephen was a contributing writer on the use of technology and career exploration in Voices from the Field, Orientation to the Counseling Profession.

Stephen Sharp is a co-founder of the Leadership Summit, a community-based social justice network to provide students the language and tools to understand and combat the many forms of oppression.
Stephen is a Nationally Certified School Suicide Prevention Specialist, and continues to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pilot an electronic behavioral health screening for schools. He works tirelessly across the state to provide education and training on mental health, substance abuse, inequality, and a world changed by technology.

Stephen frequently presents on technology, emerging career skills, mental health and race in education. Stephen was named the 2017 Pennsylvania Middle School Counselor of the Year.

Dana Wile

Dana Wile is a school counselor at Penn Manor High School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Dana began her exploration into the intersections of technology education and a counselor’s role when she was college academic advisor. Dana has been a long-time advocate engaged in anti-racism work in her community and church. She presents to school counselors on topics of social justice, advocacy, and Counselors for Computing. Dana was the 2016 recipient of the Millersville University Alumni Distinguished Civic Leader Award. Dana Wile is a co-founder of the Leadership Summit, a community-based social justice network to provide students the language and tools to understand and combat the many forms of oppression.

Dana has spoken numerous times for Counselors for Computing including the Keynote address at the 2019 Oklahoma School Counselors Association Conference. Dana served as Interim Program Director of C4C in 2021. Dana co-authored Millersville University’s 2022 $400,000 PASmart Grant with Stephen Sharp and Computer Science Professor Dr. Nazli Hardy. She volunteers with the Millersville University’s Aspirations in Computing Award Affiliate.

Thomas Kyle

Tom has been a public school teacher since 2013. He also has 10 years teaching experience at the post-secondary level. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from ECU in Ada, OK, and an MBA from UNLV. Prior to teaching he worked primarily as a computer programmer/analyst and project manager for many years. He’s held many technology jobs, from PC Tech to CIO. He is passionate about teaching, and Computer Science in particular, and looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience in the real world with the next generations. He has sponsored campus clubs for Cyber Security, Computer Science, Robotics, Web Design, and Chess. In 2019 Tom won the WeTeach_CS Changemaker Award. Tom is particularly proud that most of his clubs had members from female and underrepresented minority populations.

Julie Gooden-Petrus

Julie is currently College and Career Counselor for Jack C Hays High School in Buda, Texas. In her 29 years in public education, Julie has taught third and fourth grade, been a school counselor at the elementary school level, and, for the past ten years, has worked in high schools in college and career, grade level and lead counselor positions. She has been the AP, RTI and AVID coordinator at her schools. She approaches all tasks and programs through the lens of “what is best for the child” and “how do we facilitate and support equity and access.”  

Julie is an active member of several counseling organizations including TCA, TCAC and NACAC and is a consultant to the College Board, leading presentations on How to Organize Your AP Administration and How to Build an AP program on your Campus.

Through NCWIT’s C4C program, I have had the privilege of speaking and presenting to many different organizations, including counselors as well as administrators. Also through my quest to spread the word about Computer Science Education, I have been recruited by WeTeach_CS, an association focused on Computer Science education through the University of Texas at Austin. As part of this team, I have presented at CS summits as well as special meetings with school district administrators. 

Latisha Hermosillo

Latisha Hermosillo is in her 18th year of education in Texas. She started out as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher for 2 years and loved every minute of it. Latisha played sports in high school and decided to follow her passion for sports and become a coach/teacher. She coached volleyball, basketball, and track and taught math for 7 years until she became an assistant principal at a magnet elementary school. She had the privilege and honor to be part of an administrative team that transformed her elementary into a full STEAM campus. In the process, she was trained in AVID, Project Lead the Way, Scratch and Scratch Jr Coding, Maker Space, EIE- Engineering in Elementary, Conscious Discipline and became a certified Apple Teacher. As an assistant principal/counselor, Latisha was able to utilize these amazing programs with her students in unique, outside of the classroom settings on a daily basis. She in her 6th year high school counselor in a large 6A Texas school district in the Permian Basin. Outside of education, Latisha likes to surf in California and Florida, read, and play sports.

Twitter: @LHermosillo22, @Rebs_Counselors

Facebook: Latisha Hermosillo, Legacy Counseling

Ruth Kyle

Ruth Kyle was a school counselor for over 20 years at all levels from PreK – high school, as well as having experience in an adolescent residential treatment center. She is currently a private counselor specializing in adolescents. She holds both a Bachelor and Masters degree in Music Education from Southeastern University in Durant OK, and continued with her Masters degrees in School Counseling from East Central University in Ada Ok; Education Administration from Lamar University, and hours to complete her LPC at University of Texas Permian Basin. Ruth is a Counselors for Computing (C4C) consultant who is a cheerleader for how computer science is applicable to every possible career pathway and degree plan, and in particular encourages females of color and those who feel they “can’t do computer science stuff” to give it a try.

Jackie Yekpabo

Jackie Yekpabo currently lives in the Austin, Texas area but considers home to be New York City and/or Washington D.C. area. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s in Education in School Counseling also from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Jackie Yekpabo worked as a school counselor for10 years. After her tenure as a school counselor, she created and now manages the Early College High School programs for the school district for which she works, which blends collegiate coursework with high school courses to award an Associate’s degree in Information Technology or Education upon high school graduation. She lives with her two daughters, one of which will be leaving for University of Houston next year to study Mechanical Engineering, and the most amazing, luscious dog there ever was.

Drexel Pierce

Drexel W. Pierce, Jr. has 15 years of experience as a public school educator in the state of Virginia. Serving in roles as a teacher, 4-H Youth Development specialist, school counselor, director of school counseling and currently as a secondary principal. His educational experiences have afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. Drexel has been working with C4C since the 2018 Professional Development in Duluth, MN. He loves promoting Computer Science and integrating technology into the counseling practice for ALL students.

Vonetta Sanders

Vonetta Sanders is a professional school counselor at Henry E. Lackey High School in Charles County.  She is currently an 11^th grade counselor. She has worked as a high school counselor for six years, transitioning from being middle school science teacher.  As a teacher, she recognized developing student as whole was crucial component for student success, so she decided to enter the counseling field.  As a counselor, she has worked as SST chair, on PBIS team, and on the Achievement Gap team. She also developed two key programs at her school, “I Am My Sister Club” and “Lackey Connect”.  Her second year as a counselor, she attended a powerful Computing for Counselor (C4C) conference in Colorado.  This conference changed her whole outlook on guiding students in continuing their education and career field.  Since that conference she has been on a mission to provide counselors with information and resources they can use to support ALL students as they explore computer science education and careers.  

Maureen Stewart

Dr. Maureen Stewart, Ed.D., NCC/NCSC is the Program Director and Assistant Professor Graduate School Counseling program at Vermont State University. She serves as a liaison to the VTSCA board, is a member of ASCA and has 26 years of school counseling experience in Vermont and Colorado.

Maureen is the Primary Investigator for US Department of Education Mental Health Professional Demonstration grant which provides tuition and internship support for graduate school counseling students in high need, rural Vermont school districts.

Her studies at University of Colorado in Leadership for Educational Equity Latin@ cohort investigated school counselor cultural competencies and social-emotional learning initiatives in Colorado.

As a consultant and community manager, she has been a champion for NCWIT C4C, since 2016. She promotes computer science proficiency to develop social capital for young women and underrepresented populations.

In her free time, she explores the culture and history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Vermont and New Zealand. She also is exploring best practices in Finnish education.

Aside from knitting, she loves playing Scrabble Go and Wordle. You can catch her forest-bathing on the ski slopes or hiking the Long Trail in Vermont. She is making tracks toward completing all segments of the Colorado Trail.