Chapter Leaders

Ryan Robidoux, Co-President/SouthEast Regional Representative

Ryan has been a computer science educator for over 15 years, teaching in comprehensive, vocational, and university classroom settings. Currently, Ryan is the Director of Learning and Innovation for the Mendon-Upton Regional School District. His main goals are to democratize access to technology and DLCS for students in PreK-12 education. Previously, Ryan has been a Digital Learning Specialist and CS for Equity Coach.

**Seeking someone to take over the SouthEast Regional Representative position. If interested, please contact Ryan or Melissa.

Melissa Zeitz, Co-President

Melissa Zeitz is a teacher with over 20 years of experience in the Springfield Public School District. Specializing in Special Education, Digital Literacy, and Computer Science (DLCS), she is dedicated to instilling a passion for creativity and problem-solving in her students. Melissa's influence extends beyond her classroom as she delivers technology and Computer Science training to teachers, serves as the technology and resource coordinator for the CSforAll Springfield grant, and is Co- President of CSTA Massachusetts. Recognized as a Code.org Fundamental Facilitator, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Micro:bit champion and PAEMST recipient. She also enjoys exploring new activities, traveling, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Anne Marie Wyman, Treasurer

Mrs. Anne Marie Wyman worked in industry for 13 years before she started working in the schools as a Tech Support Specialist. She earned a Master’s in Education in Instructional Technology from Bridgewater State University and a Master’s of Science in Math Education from Simmons College through Teachers 21. She has been teaching at Johnson Middle School in Walpole since 2008. She has helped many students develop a passion for Computer Science over the years. She has taught professional development workshops and held sessions at conferences. She has run many after school programs including robotics, Technovation, 3d printing, Invention Convention through BSU, Scratch coding and yearbook club. She also runs technology summer camps and Coder Dojos in Walpole. She has been a member of the CSTA Greater Boston Chapter for a number of years and has been facilitating the Middle School Group for a few years.

**Seeking someone to take over the Treasurer position. If interested, please contact Ryan or Melissa.

Diane Horvath, Secretary/MetroWest Regional Representative

Diane is a Middle School Technology/MakerEd Integration Specialist at Blake Middle School | Medfield Public Schools , where she collaborates with teachers across all content areas to integrate educational technology, computer science, and maker education. She is passionate about fostering creativity and innovation, using coding, crafting, and circuitry to engage students in hands-on learning experiences. Her mission is to empower students with the skills to think critically, create, and invent, while promoting a maker mindset that connects with and enhances lessons across the curriculum.

**Seeking someone to take over the MetroWest Regional Representative position. If interested, please contact Ryan or Melissa.

Kate Olendar, Berkshires Regional Representative

Kate Shaw Olender is a tech teacher in the Lenox Public Schools in the beautiful Berkshires. Her previous jobs include being a Reference and Instructional Librarian at Mass. College of Art and Design, and a District Librarian for the Lee Public Schools. Kate loves research as well as physical computing. Kate is passionate that every elementary school student be exposed to computer science.

Elaine Griggs, Cape Cod Regional Representative

Elaine was a founding member of CSTA in MA. She teaches high school at Pembroke MA dually licensed in math and computer science. Her BS in Applied Math with a focus on software development, and M.Ed are from UMass Lowell. She's taught AP CSA for 20 years, AP CSP since College Board piloted the course. Also teaching Robotics, Exploring computer science, and cybersecurity; starting her career in education after one in biotechnology as a data analyst. She has had a BotBall team competing annually since 2007 and has completed the Technovation Challenge since their first year with teams of girls developing mobile apps. Her students submit mobile apps annually to Congressional App Challenge. She has been awarded by CSTA educator of the year in 2019, NCWIT, Ed2.0 and MA TLC. Pembroke has a CS Innovation Pathway and Computer Science Honor Society. She has founded an educational non-profit called CS4YOUTH and running robotics summer camps on the south shore and an online Computer Science microschool. She is excited to be in CSTA with this amazing group of educators who want to step into the future of Computer Science education!!

Laura Peters, Boston-MetroNorth Regional Representative

Laura Peters is a STEAM & Robotics teacher at Somerville High School, where she teaches courses in computer science and robotics, and coaches the school's FIRST Robotics Team 6201. Previously, Laura was a project manager for the Creative Computing Lab at Harvard, where she developed curriculum, led professional development, and conducted research into best practices in K–12 computing education. She is currently pursuing an EdD at Boston University in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a focus on equity in computer science education.

Kerri Murphy, Advocacy Lead

Kerri Murphy studied Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and worked in industry as an engineer and consultant across the U.S. before following her pathway to Education. After earning her masters at the University of Massachusetts at Boston, she taught math for 17 years and started teaching Computer Science 8 years ago. Kerri now teaches Computer Science and Robotics at Norton High School in Massachusetts, chairs community STEAM teams, and coaches Boys Varsity Tennis. She is the Advocacy Lead for the CSTA MA Chapter

Dr. Sonia Mitchell, Pioneer Valley Regional Representative

Dr. Mitchell is a Business, Computer Science, Mathematics, and STEAM leader with over 20 years of experience in education, instructional technology, and workforce development. She currently serves as a Computer Science Teachers Association Mentor (2025–2026), Code.org Coach, and PreK–12 CS Standards Writer (2024–2026).

Her work focuses on equitable computer science education, AI integration, digital literacy, and STEAM innovation across Western and Eastern Massachusetts. Dr. Mitchell has served as an AP CSP Reader with the College Board since 2019 and has participated in a variety of professional learning experiences with the Mark Cuban Foundation, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University, and the University of New Mexico. She also volunteers with CodePath, supports digital literacy initiatives, and is passionate about helping students develop confidence and future-ready technology and computer science skills.

Other New Positions:

State Representative	NJ Rivilis
Higher Ed Representative	Beryl Hoffman
Pioneer Valley Regional Representatives	Dr. Sonia Mitchell & Sheena Morris
ECEP Representative	Sarah Dunton
Equity Fellows	Neil Plotnick & Sarah Ciras

Open Positions:

NorthEast Regional Representative
SouthEast Regional Representative
Central Regional Representative
MetroWest Regional Representative
Treasurer

✳️ If interested in any of the Open Positions, please contact Ryan or Melissa.