Dr. Christina Pierce

Zoom meeting with Dr. Christina Pierce. The discussion focused on the Alta Loma School District's computer science (CS) education initiatives, driven by the Educator Workforce Investment Grant. Dr. Christina Pierce highlighted the integration of CS into the curriculum, starting with sixth graders moving to junior highs and expanding to seventh and eighth grades. The district also offers CS enrichment at the elementary level. Key strategies include professional development workshops, collaboration with feeder schools, and involving diverse educational partners like counselors. The conversation also emphasized the importance of equitable CS education, addressing barriers, and fostering a community of practice to enhance teaching and learning.

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Dr. Christina Pierce

SPEAKERS

Christina Pierce, Tonya Coats, Omar Shepherd, Sonal Patel

Sonal Patel  00:14

Hello and welcome to sbcss, digital learning bits and bytes inspired by our dedication for equitable educational technology and computer science education. I'm Sonal Patel, and with me today I have, I'm going to turn it over to you, Omar, 

Omar Shepherd  00:29

Hi I'm so excited to be here. My name is Omar Shepherd. I have the honor of serving as a project specialist in computer science education here with the digital learning team at sbcss.

Sonal Patel  00:41

Thank you.  And Tanya, 

Tonya Coats  00:43

hi. My name is Tonya Coats. I am also a project specialist here at the Digital Learning Services, and I am so happy to be here with you today.

Sonal Patel  00:52

And today, I woul d like to introduce our awesome guest speaker who actually used to work with us here at spcss. It's Doctor Christina Pierce, go ahead. Dr Pierce, please say hello.

Christina Pierce  01:04

Hello everyone. I am. Dr Pierce, thank you for that wonderful introduction. Dr Patel, I am the Assistant Superintendent in the Alta Loma School District.

Sonal Patel  01:13

Awesome. Thank you. And Dr Pierce is here to talk to us about her computer science approach at Alta Loma School District, and we're looking forward to learning more about that in just a moment. But before that, I wanted to share with our listeners today that our county, as many of you know, is the CO recipient of the educator workforce investment grant along with Sacramento County Office of Education, and this allows for us to provide high quality CS professional learning experiences for K 12 educator that is educators that is aligned to the CACS content standards. But I'm going to turn it over to Omar Shepard, who's really leading these efforts to share some of the key components of this grant. Over to you, Omar, 

Omar Shepherd  01:59

Thank You Thank you. You know, one of the exciting opportunities this grant has provided is a chance for us to really work towards building capacity amongst educators, really throughout the state, to support them with integrating computer science in their classroom, either as standalone computer science education, or ways they can integrate computer science into what they're already teaching. Computer science is the thing that we believe that all teachers can teach and all students can learn. And in fact, right here in San Bernardino, we've had the honor of being able to bring some high quality professional learning right here from our workshop, where we are exploring opportunities for teachers to help students learn how they can do their bit with microbit, or where we can introduce educators to being able to learn more about Google. CS, first, in fact, right here in San Bernardino, at our Weston Educational Service Center, we had a great workshop being led by our very own Tanya Coats, in addition to from the Rancho Cucamonga School District, Darren Alcala to really engage educators and learning ways they can integrate computer science into what they're teaching. And one of the hallmarks of professional learning through the educator workforce investment grant is ensuring these three things, one that the opportunities for educators to learn elevates a alignment to the quality professional learning standards, which really ensures high quality professional learning, number two, that the professional learning is aligned with the California K 12 computer science standards. And number three, an opportunity to ensure that we're elevating culturally responsive pedagogical practices that are elevated through the equity framework developed by the Kapoor center. It's been very exciting. Sonal,

Sonal Patel  03:45

thank you so much, Omar. And I also wanted to kind of pass it back over to you in a moment, Omar, because we understand that one big component of this grant is to involve multiple educational partners in this work. So not just teachers who are educators, but also administrators, like the amazing Dr Pierce is here, who will be sharing about her experience. How would you say we've engaged additional educational partners from diverse backgrounds in this work, in addition to the teachers that we've engaged?

Omar Shepherd  04:16

That's a really great question. You know from collaborating with partners such as the center x at UCLA to engaging with our collaboration with CSTA, we've been able to really engage educators in ways to support them where they are with being able to implement computer science education.

Sonal Patel  04:37

Thank you so much. And you know, as I mentioned, one of our partners includes Dr Pierce, and we're fortunate to have her here today to share some strategies broadening participation, experience and access to CS instruction. Dr Pierce attended csbcss hosted CS for All script training last year, where she and her team thought carefully about their vision, mission and goals. As it relates to CS, Dr Pierce, could you share more about your key takeaways from the script training and what you're able to accomplish as a result? Please. 

Christina Pierce  05:09

Absolutley Well, first and foremost, I just want to say thank you, and we are very appreciative of that opportunity. It was myself. We brought in some site leaders and a few teachers to really talk about and brainstorm alongside you guys. What, what could computer science look like? For Alta Loma, we're in a place where, although we do very well, we have wonderful, competent, strong teachers and great community and students, we do have the need to grow and elevate and so we had been looking at, how can we integrate computer science on a limited budget? So that workshop absolutely brought us new insights, connections. We were able to collaborate with our feeder schools. Chafee unified and just brought just a whole new sense of ideas for us to explore.

Sonal Patel  06:00

And you did something very unique. Dr Pierce in actually, I will tell you at our cspd week, which was a one week a week long professional learning event that we had planned as part of our seasons of CS project this summer, you had a number of educators participated participate in one workshop, the CS discoveries workshop, could you tell us a little bit about your plan for scaling CS instruction across your schools? You know, as it relates to these educators participating in these workshops? 

Christina Pierce  06:32

Absolutley so one of the steps that Alta Loma took this year was moving our sixth grade classes to our junior highs, which allowed us more flexibility with scheduling. And so what we decided to do with the support of our sixth grade teachers at the junior high was attend the actual computer science week, and they were so appreciative and learned so much. And so they came back, and what we did with that information is that we embedded it in our sixth grade elective wheel. So they worked very closely together. We have two junior highs, so they work together at their sites, and then they came together to say, okay, how can we align this so that we are both in alignment with what we're teaching and how we're teaching and integrating computer science? So that was at the sixth grade level, and then we also included seventh and eighth grade elective teachers. So we're very proud now that we actually have what we call a very strong computer science program at our junior highs, ranging from sixth grade, where all students have access to it, and then elective offerings in seventh and eighth grade, and then at our elementaries, because we are limited in resources and staffing our Margot Cruz our wonderful assessment and accountability and technology coordinators actually working with our site technology liaisons at the elementary to provide enrichment opportunities to our elementary students this year.

Sonal Patel  07:54

That's so awesome. Thank you them, and you knew I was going to ask about elementary yeah, there's a lot of research to suggest that we do need to start CS instruction at the elementary level in order to inspire that interest and join computer science when they get to middle and high school. So I appreciate that you're you're thinking about that, and of course, Margot Cruz has been, you know, instrumental in this, and she also attended one of our recent instructional coaching events for computer science education. So we know that there's a lot happening at OTA Loma School District, and it's truly very exciting. One, one additional question that I had, and this is honestly based on the question I just asked Omar about involving diverse educational partners, and it's something that is very that I'm very passionate about. It was actually my dissertation focus where we talked about the experience that people got from CS for All the CS for All script training, and how that helped us to take the systematic approach of including diverse educational partners. When we say diverse educational partners, we're not just seeing their background in terms of their race and gender, but we're also seeing roles, actual roles. You didn't mention anything about counselors being involved in this, these efforts, you speak a little bit about how counselors might help to inform some of your efforts at Alta Loma School District,

Christina Pierce  09:10

yes, we just recently added counselors last year so and we only added them at the elementary levels last year, but this year we expanded to the junior highs, and so one of Our next steps is to ensure that they have a full understanding of what computer science is, what interest skill sets, and ensuring the way by diverse set of students actually, excuse my, excuse me, accessing classes, specifically at the junior highs. And so we'll be working with them closely. We do. You know, I believe in the systemic approach. So I believe that from the top right, from the district level to the site level, to the principals and to the support staff like counselors, all need to be involved to make sure that we're promoting our CS program and letting and helping students understand anyone can access computer science. That's

Sonal Patel  09:58

a listen. Thank you. Dr Pearson, as I understand it, I know that the teachers that participated in seasons of CS will also be continuing to, you know, expand their learning through the academic year workshops, which is a community of practice type event that will help them to continue their learning, continue to build community and so forth. So I appreciate that you're in so much support of that, because that, that is what makes the dream happen, the CS I call it the CS dream happen. So I'm gonna there was another workshop at that event, the cspd week event, that I was talking about, and that was a workshop that was led by Tonya Coats. Tonya, would you mind sharing some of your key nuggets from the equity minded instruction in computer science workshop that you hosted at cspd week in Anaheim this year. So

Tonya Coats  10:51

I was so excited to help facilitate this workshop. We had a few people that came as guest speakers. The workshop was also included the co author, Sharita Chan as well as Bella. This workshop was like an intentional focus on identifying and addressing barriers that prevent marginalized and underrepresented groups from fully accessing and participating computer science. Our workshop involved not just helping educators, but also creating that equal access in computer science that involves creating spaces where everyone feels included and everyone thrives. We kind of tailored the support to meet specific needs and just acknowledge in that course that there's lots of systematic inequities that may exist in our spaces that we're teaching in. So I think this was relevant, because a lot of times, you know, we don't see everyone included in a space like women, people of color, also students that come from low economic communities. We We engaged in many topics like such as, like student identity, implicit bias and ways that we could teach computer science in a way that everyone has full access to. This course has been really a place almost like therapeutic we are continuing our Community of Practice Group, as you mentioned earlier, throughout the school year, with a series of academic workshops where we're continuing to enhance and understand the practices that we learned during the summer, and then we also hope to have this again available during cspd Week next year.

Sonal Patel  12:41

Thank you so much, Tonya, you were instrumental in the success of that workshop. We had so much positive feedback. And Omar will concur the feedback for that particular workshop and all the other workshops was so phenomenal. But I think people really appreciated the community building. You know, the your approach to CS in that if we don't make it an equitable experience for all of our students, especially our students who are underserved in computer science education, then we're likely to continue that that same, you know, tradition of not all students are accessing computer science at the level that we want to access it, in terms of the experience that they're getting in the classroom. So we really appreciate everything that you've done to make that an impactful workshop. I'm going to continue with you, Tonya, and I know that you because I know that you've had a lot of involvement with the grant in terms of your regional work here at the county. How have you helped us to how have you helped to support leadership and educators that a you know, that a continuing to access some of these regional offerings

Tonya Coats  13:44

well, so I have helped, like develop some of the professional development opportunities, some of the workshop, some of the collaborative spaces to enhance their in a their understanding of integration in computer science. A big part of this grant has been creating and fostering a community of practice, and this is basically ongoing spaces where educators can share their best practices, challenges, innovate ideas and just build that sense of community in computer science, I've been able to support Leadership Development, also helping districts and site leaders understand the value of computer science, and just equipping them with the tools to advocate for the integration of CS programs at various grade level spaces, one thing I've been very excited to be a part of is helping develop a CS coaching group within our region, and basically This is a community of practice where educators are empowered by classroom level coaches, and this plays a critical role in supporting educators and developing high quality and also cultural responsive teaching. 

Sonal Patel  14:56

Thank You, and I think, I believe that's the one that Margo attended over the. Some of the coaching workshop, yes, bringing that up. And you know, I know that you put a lot of work into kind of that the regional, regional space, and I know that you're doing this in collaboration with some amazing partners, including Dr Baines at Riverside County Office of Education, and Mark Landsberger at San Diego County Office of Education. And then we've got the amazing Fernando from Imperial Valley, and then I think it's Zach from Orange County, Office of Education. Yes, that right, Omar, Yeah, yeah. So we're welcoming Zach, because he's quite new into this space, but we look forward to additional regional offerings happening. I'm going to actually turn it over to Omar now to share some exciting things as it relates to seasons of Cs that is happening across our state. And, yeah, yeah, go for it. Omar.

Omar Shepherd  15:50

No thanks. I really appreciate the opportunity to share, but also to hear some of the, I would say, momentum that's being built. It's really exciting to hear Dr Pierce, how you were able to make such strategic shifts within your district, having your sixth grade as a part of your secondary path, and now thinking about the benefits of cspd week, and how this really was an opportunity to develop secondary educators to be able to support them as they're getting ready to integrate and implement computer science education. But one of the really exciting things is that the seasons of CS marches on through the seasons, that is, as we are able to really look forward to continuing to provide high quality professional learning, whether that's through us looking at ways we can bring together administrators to support them in developing their leadership through the mindset around computer science and partnership with UCLA, or how we at sbcss are really leading the charge forward to bring together counselors to support them as they're beginning to think about ways they can be counselors for computing as we partner with organizations such as NCWIT, that's the National Council for Women in Technology, it's a great opportunity to really be intentional, to make sure we're elevating high quality professional learning providers and resources to ensure that we help to build capacity across the state. So what's coming? Well, what's coming, in addition to our regional workshops, which are basically workshops happening across the state, are also our upcoming summer of CS where we'll have an opportunity for elementary focused workshop, because we know that's a great way to help students identities around computer science be cultivated as they have chances to engage in CS learning, as well as with our upcoming cspd week in the summer of 2025 but we'll welcome secondary educators to join us one more time as we continue to build capacity across the state, because we believe, as said right there in our standards, that all teachers can teach CS and all students can Learn CS. 

Sonal Patel  18:00

Wow Omar, that was a total Mic drop. Thank you for bringing up some of the additional offerings that we plan to offer this year, including the counselors workshop and the admin workshop. I saw Doctor Pierce getting very excited about that, and we're looking forward to again involving her in all of those efforts. I want to pass it over to you for a moment, Doctor Pierce, if you wanted to add any final words before we conclude today, I invite you to do so absolutely.

Christina Pierce  18:26

I think you know as to my colleagues out there, anyone who's looking at integrating CS and thinks, oh, I don't have the resources, or I don't have the staffing, or teachers won't buy into this. I really think the support that you guys provide, the collaborative workshops that we can hear what other people are doing are very helpful. We are a small district with limited funds. We are, you know, dead last when it comes to state funding. We're number 33 out of 33 school districts, and so I we very much appreciate, on behalf of the board and our superintendent our teachers, the fact that you guys were over to help us with funding, provided the professional development to our teachers over the summer, allowed them an opportunity to stay, you know, and work together and collaborate and just the other you know, opportunities that are out there to bring in equipment activities, just because we are limited with our fundings, we're always looking for that extra, you know, grant money that's available to help us grow our program. So we very much. Thank you Guys

Sonal Patel  19:31

Thank you so much. Dr Pierce, and I want to you know thank you for all of the partnerships that you've you know, be able to have with us, not just with yourself, but with with members of your team, like Margo and you know, your educators, and also the partnership you had when you were here within our county. I was just sharing with the rest of the team that you worked really closely with us when you were over here, and you really helped to drive these efforts, which is continuing to happen now that collaboration. With ESS and lots of other departments, makes this dream and reality happen as it relates to computer science education.

Christina Pierce  20:07

Well, what's funny is, I do remember you and I left the county office and you said, Are you going to be doing computer science? And every few months I'd get a text, are you doing computer science? And give me a year, Sonal, and I promise you, I promise you, that we will completely turn it up a notch, and Alta Loma will definitely bring it in, but we just needed some time to plan and get people on board and train right. Those things do take time. It's not something can just do a turnaround. But here we are, two years later, 

Sonal Patel  20:36

You held your promise. We appreciate you holding your promise. Thank you so much. And you know, I also, you know, applaud you for, you know, as you know, Assistant Superintendent, being involved. Like I said, it's really important that we have all educational partners involved in these efforts. And you as assistant superintendent, I mean, you're busy. I know you're busy because it's hard to get a response via text from you anymore, but you you do it and you make this a reality. So thank you very much. And I, you know, Omar Tanya, do you have any final thoughts? You know I before we conclude today? 

Omar Shepherd  21:16

Well thank you for the opportunity to just learn more about an approach of utilizing the script workshop as a vehicle to help be able to inform systemic change and to be able to get a glimpse of the impact of that work as the years go on, as you unfold the plan that you put together to begin to implement computer Science in Alta Loma, Thank you

Sonal Patel  21:41

Thank you, Tanya. 

21:43

And I just look forward to working with the entire county in developing like their computer science curriculums. There are a lot of things happening in our spaces and workshops being developed, and I just hope to continue spreading computer science across the county and having that partnership with various members of our community.

Sonal Patel  22:06

Thank you, and as we continue to celebrate our efforts with seasons of CS, which, by the way, I mentioned Sacramento County Office of Education, but we also have our amazing partners at UCLA Center X and CDEF foundation involved in this work, as well as our California Department of Education, who continue to be great collaborators as we continue to expand and broaden access to and participation experience in computer science education for K through 12 educators. That concludes today's digital learning bits and bytes podcast. Thank you everyone for your participation, see you soon.