CSTA Announces New Leadership Team
New York, NY (PRWEB) June 22, 2015 -- Today, the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), the membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science, announced its new executive leadership team. Dr. Mark R. Nelson was named CSTA's new Executive Director and Lissa Clayborn was named Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.
Nelson is an accomplished scholar, teacher, and executive, with a collaborative leadership style and a passion for “missions that matter.” Most recently Nelson’s work focused on supporting associations and educational institutions. In prior positions he received awards for research, teaching, and practice, including recognition by his peers as an innovation star within the association community. Nelson will begin on June 22 and will be officially introduced to the entire CSTA community during CSTA’s annual conference in July in Texas.
Clayborn, who has served as CSTA's Acting Executive Director since May 2014, will assume her new role as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer. Over the past year, Clayborn has elevated CSTA, computer science education, and the importance of supporting computer science educators to great heights through her tireless work. She has been instrumental in helping CSTA grow and expand its membership by more than 3,000 members.
“We could not be more pleased to have Mark and Lissa heading the team,” said CSTA Chair Deborah Seehorn. “Now more than ever computer science teachers need strong advocates in the classroom and in the community. We look forward to working toward their collective vision, supporting current and future computer science educators and providing access to quality computer science education to all students.”
Since 2004 CSTA has been the voice of computer science teachers across the country. In recent years, computer science education has won more attention from educators, parents and policymakers. Research has shown that there are not enough students being offered high-quality computer science courses and there are not enough students taking computer science courses to fill the jobs forecasted to be available in the coming years. Nelson understands the need for more computer science in the country’s schools, as well as the associated teacher preparation, certification and credentialing issues that must be addressed to grow access to the courses that will give young people limitless professional and academic opportunities.
Nelson readily admits that he owes much of his professional success to his first college degree--in computer science. “I am looking forward to engaging with the CSTA community to further its mission,” said Nelson.
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About The Computer Science Teachers Association
The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K–12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.
Lissa Clayborn, Computer Science Teachers Association, +1 (703) 304-1377, [email protected]
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