CSTA New York's Leadership Team

Elizabeth Pegarella, President

Elizabeth Pegarella is a dedicated educator specializing in Mathematics and Computer Science, with experience teaching subjects including Geometry, HTML/CSS, Python, Java, and block-based coding. She focuses on developing strong analytical and computational thinking skills in her students through a blend of traditional math instruction and hands-on coding curriculum. Elizabeth is committed to fostering an engaging, supportive classroom where learners build confidence and real-world problem-solving abilities.

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Tom O'Connell, Treasurer

Tom O’Connell is an educator currently serving at Unity Preparatory Charter School of Brooklyn, where he applies his background from Cornell University to support student learning and academic growth. He is committed to fostering an engaging, inclusive classroom environment that encourages both critical thinking and personal development. Tom brings a strong foundation in educational practice and a passion for helping students succeed.

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Jessica Guthrie, Secretary

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Robin Clapper, Regional Vice President, Capital Region

Robin Clapper teaches Computer Science at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School. Her background in high school and collegiate math directly shapes her approach to computer science, where she guides students through everything from basic block-based coding to Python, Java, SQL, and web development. She also advises the high school's Coding Club, which hosts monthly programming sessions and runs coding outreach at district elementary schools. She is dedicated to demystifying computer science so that every student—regardless of background—feels like they belong. Above all, Robin is passionate about helping students embrace challenges, build resilience, and realize that they have the power to do hard things.

Leon LaSpina, Regional Vice President, Long Island 

Leon LaSpina is a Math and Computer Science teacher with experience educating students in both mathematics and computing disciplines. He has been involved with the Computer Science Teachers Association and has academic ties to SUNY Stony Brook, reflecting his strong foundation in STEM education. Leon is dedicated to fostering analytical thinking and technological fluency in his students through engaging instruction.

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Brandon Milonovich, Regional Vice President, Lower Hudson Valley

Brandon Milonovich is a dedicated computer science and mathematics educator who teaches Computer Science at Ardsley High School in New York, where he works to make computing engaging and accessible for students across multiple course levels. He has helped expand the school’s CS curriculum and extracurricular offerings, including robotics, Girls Who Code, and cybersecurity, to support student exploration and real-world tech skills. Outside the classroom, Brandon is active in professional communities for computer science teachers and brings innovative instructional practices into his teaching.

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Jocelyn Humphries, Regional Vice President, Mid-Hudson Valley

Jocelyn Humphries teaches computer science and business education at John Jay Senior High School. She introduced several new classes to the district including: Computer Game Design, Mobile App Development and AP Computer Science Principles, and encouraged the district to resurrect AP Computer Science A.  Jocelyn advises a vibrant Computer Science Honor Society and assists with a world class First Robotics Team. Jocelyn began her professional career as a software developer and systems integrator at Nestle Foods Corporation before transitioning to elementary education. She spent a decade as a technology manager implementing wired and wireless networks, telephony, administrative systems, and educational technologies. Today, Jocelyn is delighted to have the opportunity to mentor the next generation of innovators to excel at problem solving, systems thinking, and teamwork.

Marisa Laks, Regional Vice President, New York City

Marisa Laks is a computer science teacher and school programmer at the High School for Environmental Studies with the NYC Department of Education, where she brings nearly two decades of teaching experience to her role and supports student engagement in computing. She has served as a Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Impact Fellow and facilitates a Girls Who Code club, and her work on equity and belonging in CS education has been featured by the CSTA. Marisa holds a degree from Cornell University and is passionate about creating inclusive CS classroom environments and expanding access to quality computer science learning for all students.

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Darlene Bowman, Regional Vice President, Staten Island

Darlene Bowman is a longtime educator and advocate for inclusive computer science and technology education, having spent many years teaching students with autism and other cognitive learning differences in New York City public schools and District 75 programs. She is the founder of AusomeTech, a Staten Island-based initiative that provides continuing tech education and internship opportunities for young adults with autism and other learning differences, helping expand access to CS skills beyond traditional K-12 classrooms. Throughout her career, Darlene has also served as a leader in professional communities—including as president of the Staten Island chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association—and continues to support CS learning and equity through community programs and partnerships.

AusomeTech  LinkedIn

Lisa Blank, Regional Vice President, North Country

Lisa Blank is an experienced STEM education leader serving as Director of STEM Programs, a DoW STEM Ambassador, and former Northeast Region Lead for DoWEA Grants, where she championed equity and access to high-quality STEM and computer science learning experiences. She is also a LEAD STEM Fellow with STEM Learning Ecosystems and an NSTA STEM Fellow, bringing over 25 years of experience advancing STEM initiatives, professional development, and community partnerships in education. Lisa frequently collaborates with educators and organizations to expand CS teacher training, innovative curricula, and STEAM engagement for students and educators alike.  

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Tom Naber, Regional Vice President, Western NY

Thomas Naber is a computer science teacher at Orchard Park High School with a strong background in secondary mathematics education. He has extensive experience teaching Common Core mathematics and computer science, along with Algebra I, Financial Math, and AIS math support across multiple school districts. Thomas is passionate about expanding high-quality computer science opportunities while fostering strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills in his students.

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Angel Rivera, Regional Vice President, Central NY

Dr. Angel Rivera is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Utica University, with a special interest in teaching introductory programming and software design, helping novice learners develop robust mental models of computation through visual representations, scaffolded program design, and active-learning pedagogies. Dr. Rivera is also a strong advocate for K–12 computer science education, leading workshops and presentations and collaborating with middle and high school educators since 2014.

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Chris Bennett, University Representative

Chris Bennett is an educator specializing in computer science and mathematics, currently teaching computer science in Rockville Centre, NY. He is expanding opportunities for students in his district, advises the VEX Robotics team and the Computer Science Honor Society, and teaches AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Networking, AP Cybersecurity, and Prompt Engineering. Prior to entering K–12 education, Chris pursued a graduate degree in computer science at Stony Brook University, with a research focus on computer science education and ethics. He is dedicated to promoting ethical practices in his lessons and fostering a classroom environment that supports collaborative learning.

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David Czechowski, Advocacy Lead

David Czechowski is a Computer Science and Technology Teacher at F. D. Roosevelt High School in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley and also a student in the University of Florida’s Computer Science Education program. He has served as a chapter leader in several of New York’s regional teacher communities, he is a member of CSforNY promoting K-12 CS Education across the state, and has served on multiple National CSTA Committees.  In his local community, he enjoys facilitating STEM activities for Libraries, Girl Scout Troops, and families to broaden participation in computing education.

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Alex Luciano, Elementary Representative

Alex Luciano is a bilingual elementary educator, adult ESL instructor, and member of the CSTA New York leadership team whose work focuses on elementary computer science integration, AI literacy, STEM education, and multilingual learning. His work centers on helping educators integrate computer science, AI literacy, STEM, and digital learning experiences into real classroom environments in ways that remain student centered, inclusive, and connected to communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.  He is especially interested in how computer science education intersects with multilingual learners, instructional systems, and equitable classroom practice, while helping teachers approach emerging technologies in ways that strengthen learning without losing the human side of teaching.

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