About CSTA NJ | CSTA New Jersey

WHO ARE WE?

CSTA New Jersey was established in 2021 as the centralized computer science community for New Jersey. Previously, there were four chapters serving the state. By combining, we seek to streamline communications with various stakeholders in the state. We still offer regional meetings. Feel free to contact any of the executive officers below for more information.

CSTA New Jersey President -

Ben Isecke

I have been a Computer Science teacher for ten years. I currently teach at the Bergen County Academies. I was excited to get involved with CSTA, and to help merge our four chapters together into one, new chapter. I headed the committee that wrote our new Bylaws, and I would love to help see our new organization through its new beginnings. I want CSTANJ to do a lot for New Jersey's computer science teachers.

CSTA New Jersey Vice President -

Michelle Wendt

Michelle Wendt:

I have been a member of CSTA for 7 years and served as webmaster & chapter secretary for the Southern New Jersey Chapter. I also served two years on the Chapter Leadership Committee for the CSTA.

In the recent past, I have organized the participants for the CSTASNJ annual programming contest for four years, and for two hackathons that were hosted by Stockton University and CSTASNJ volunteers. I initiated and planned two full-day CS Professional Development opportunities at the SRI&ETTC, where I am a Technology Integrationist. I also have helped manage the membership of our Google group. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

CSTA New Jersey Secretary -

Paige Besthoff

I have been a Computer Science teacher for 23 years, teaching elementary Computer Science for 7 of those years, and have been a CSTA member for 5 years. Formerly from NYC, I currently teach in Spotswood, NJ. I facilitate workshops in partnership with Code.org and the TCNJ Central New Jersey Computer Science Education Hub, Rutgers CS Hub, and the Kean University CS Hub. I frequently present at CSTA, ISTE, and other CS and technology education conferences across the country and partner with CS4NJ presenting the new NJ standards and sharing sample lessons as well as moderating their Twitter page. I serve as a K-5 representative on the 2023 CSTA national conference committee, am the co-chair of CSTA New Jersey CSPD Week and a member of the CSTA New Jersey K-8 Steering Committee. I look forward to supporting all New Jersey CS teachers.

CSTA New Jersey Treasurer -

Lee Hayden

I teach computer science and robotics at Roxbury High School in Succasunna NJ and been active with the central and northern CSTA chapters of New Jersey since 2011, including serving as the president of the northern chapter between 2015 and 2020, and serving on the steering committee that resulted in the new consolidated chapter. As the lead FIRST Robotics coach at my high school between 2012 and 2019, I managed a $25,000+ budget each year, so I am experienced in managing the funding of a large education-based organization, and worked closely with a booster club with 501c3 status . After a school year that seemed to facilitate professional isolation at school, being able to collaborate with my fellow computer science educators outside of school hours was a professional lifeline for me throughout the pandemic, and I look forward to being a CSTA NJ team member in the coming years!

Bio

CSTA NJ Chaper Leader - Webmaster

Kimberly Curran Smith

I have over 25 years of experience teaching Computer Science. I teach K to 8 Computer Science & Design Thinking at Saint Raphael School in Hamilton, NJ. Besides teaching, one of my roles is acting as an Instructional Innovator to teachers for CS and STEM.

I have been a webmaster of the CSTANJ since 2017. I serve on the CSTANJ leadership committee and Co-Chair the K - 8 subcommittee. In 2022 I helped with the CSPDWeek Steering Committee. I serve on the CSTA National Committee for Reflective Teachers.I look forward to the opportunity to help teachers apply the CSTA Teachers Standards to their teaching tools.

CSTA New Jersey Chapter Leader -

Anne Kohart

I have been teaching CS Principles and CS A for the past 4 years at Burlington Township High School in Burlington, NJ. I joined the Central NJ chapter 4 years ago. Two years ago, I created a chapter that met in Mt Laurel, NJ to serve the south west portion of the state. I am excited to serve on this board. It is my passion to expose as many students as possible to the field of computer science.

CSTA New Jersey Chapter Leader -

Daryl Detrick

Daryl has been a leader of the Computer Science Education movement in New Jersey since 2012. He is the past president and a founding member of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) of Central NJ, a former NJ representative to the CSTA Advocacy Leadership Team (CSALT) and a member of NJ Governors Computer Science Advisory Board that developed the NJ State Computer Science Education Action Plan. He received the NCWIT NJ Educator Award, the NJSPN Advocate of the Year, and CSTA National Advocate of Year. Daryl is proud of the Computer Science program that he’s worked so hard to develop. His students use their passion for Computer Science to inspire youth through near-peer mentoring programs such as CodingWithKids, the Digital Lending Library, and GirlsCodingWithGirls, which was recognized by Code.org and CSTA with the 2018 Champions of CS award. Warren Hills Computer Science has strong female participation, with numerous awards through NCWIT and the GirlsGo Cyberstart Competition.

Daryl is active in community service including Warren County Habitat for Humanity and local trail maintenance. He is the Chess Club advisor and a mentor with the school’s FIRST Robotics Team. Daryl graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering."

ALWAYS A GREAT DAY TO BE A BLUE STREAK!