WHO ARE WE?
CSTA Tidewater Virginia was established as your local computer science community. This chapter was built to connect you with other computer science teachers, provide professional development to help you improve your craft, and connect your local voice to the national computer science education community.
Chapter Officers
Chapter President - Ciara Pervall
For the past five years, I’ve taught students ranging from elementary to high school. I am currently a Business and Information Technology teacher for Norfolk Public Schools. Through CodeVA, I also conduct professional development sessions where I instruct education professionals on how to integrate Computer Science Principles into their everyday curriculum. I’ve also taught block coding and robotics for the Center for Gifted Education’s Enrichment Program at William & Mary, as well as, Camp Einstein for Norfolk Public Schools. My goal is to spark a degree of awareness and excitement for CS across all curricula, in all students, and amongst all staff.
Chapter Vice President - Michelle Pealo (@MrsPealo)
Always looking for ways to engage learners of all ages in critical thinking and creative pursuits, I have been an educator in Virginia for over 14 years, teaching computer science and technology at the elementary level for the past four years. My path is driven by my passion for figuring out how things work and helping others create their own technologies instead of just consuming them. While my experience in instructional coaching influences my style of teaching through supporting inquiry and personal inspiration, I love looking at the “big picture” and mapping out steps to achieve a goal. I love reading memoirs, essay collections, and “awkward fiction,” and I wrap up most nights by challenging my husband to a quick round (or 8) of an old-school NES game before bed.
Chapter Treasurer - Arrykka Jackson
With a Bachelor's in Neuroscience from William and Mary, I had some computer science experience in my undergraduate course work. I later decided to go into teaching and received a Masters in Education from Regent University. In my third year of teaching, computer science has become a passion of mine. My second grade students regularly code and use computer science to express their thinking in a variety of ways.
I have helped students increase their literacy and mathematics skills. I have also help with the Coding Club at my school. Still new to teaching computer science, I look forward to the benefit for my students and I as they become lifelong learners.
Chapter Secretary - Tosha Penkrot
After spending 6 years working in an American High School in Kuwait, I decided to make Suffolk, Virginia my home! For the past 13 years I have been enjoying my position as a Media Specialist for Suffolk Public Schools where I spend my days supporting the curriculum, encouraging the life-long love of literature, and teaching information literacy skills.
As a member of the Suffolk Public Schools elementary school CS implementation committee, I develop and facilitate the integration of the CS SOLS into the media centers and computer labs. I am also a jack of all trades in my building by supervising the Coding Club, Chess Club, Student Council, and building level CS implementation committee.