Officers
Jessica Yauney - Co-President
Jessica has taught almost every grade now and loves teaching both AP Computer Science A and Principles. She has taught Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) from preschool to Master's courses. She teaches CS, trains teachers on how to teach CS, does research on how to teach CS, and writes and grades AP CS exams. Jessica was honored as PLTW California Computer Science Teacher of the Year in 2017 and received the NCWIT Educator Award in 2017. Jessica holds a Bachelors in Computer Science, Applied Math, and Math & Science Education from Berkeley and a Masters in Technology Education from BYU.
Nicole Reitz-Larsen - Co-President
Nicole is a computer science teacher at West High School.
She has taught AP/IB Computer Science, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Exploring Computer Science, Creative Coding, Programming I and Programming II, Multimedia, Business Courses and German.
Dr. John McGroarty - President Elect
Dr. McGroarty has been within the K-12 environment for the past 6 years in various teaching capacities with subjects in AP Computer Science, CSP, Game Design, Digital Literacy and Coding/Robotics. He currently teaches Digital Literacy/Coding at Northwest Middle School in the Salt Lake School District. He just completed his 2nd Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Creighton University and has recently become certified as an Administrator in both Utah and Nebraska. Dr. McGroarty was the 2009 Commuity Award Winner for the University of Phoenix as well as a member of Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities.
Christian Waters - Vice President
Christian Waters began teaching in New York City in 2002 when he joined the New York Teaching Fellowship and received a Masters in Education from Hunter College. He then moved to Italy and taught 5th grade and technology classes at the American Overseas School of Rome. After moving stateside and taking a job at independent school, Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City, he began teaching technology, robotics and computer science. He served as Rowland Hall’s Director of Technology Integration for 10 years, helping students and teachers use technology and develop their CS classes. He now teaches CCA, Technology and coding classes at Ecker Hill Middle School and serves as Vice President of the Utah chapter of CSTA.
Mike Wood - TreasurerMike teaches French, College & Career Awareness, Exploring Computer Science, Creative Coding and Web Development at Timberline Middle School. In addition to teaching, he helps advise a Robotics team and is also a coach of Cross Country and Track & Field.
Missy Hamilton - Secretary
Missy is the Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning in Murray City School District. Part of her responsibilities includes overseeing K-12 Computer Science and has been awarded numerous grants for Murray from public and private organizations to get K-8 CS implemented in creative and innovative ways across her system. Passionate about K-6 CS for all, Missy has implemented model classrooms across Murray that are frequently visited by other districts in Utah and from other states. Missy has presented at numerous conferences and with private investment groups to advance CS in education.
Ben Smith - High School Rep
Ben is a Computer Science Teacher and robotics coach from Rowland Hall School in Salt Lake City. With over 25 years teaching experience in public and independent schools, Ben has a Masters in Instructional Design and Educational Technology from the University of Utah, is a facilitator for the mobileCSP and CSAwesome AP curriculum in the summer. Ben has taught robotics, AP CSP, AP CSA, python and Arduino robotics, FTC robotics, ECS, and is an advocate for Makerspaces and Creative coding.
Summer Marshall - Middle School Rep
Summer is a Computer Science Integration Coach. She has taught English, Creative Coding, Tech and Engineering, Digital Design, and a handful of various support classes. Summer was the Technology Coach at Ecker Hill Middle School for 8 years before transitioning into her current role. Her focus is on supporting middle-level teachers to seamlessly weave Computational Thinking and Computer Science into their subject areas. She has 25 years of teaching experience in elementary and middle school. Summer holds a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
McKay Perkins - Elementary Representative
McKay Perkins is dedicated to developing creative instruction to make education come alive for elementary learners. He has five years of elementary teaching experience and has loved every minute of it.
McKay left the full-time teacher role to receive a Master’s degree in Instructional Design at Brigham Young University. Since then, McKay has worked for three years teaching elementary students, elementary teachers, and elementary education students how to code and how to integrate technology in ways that transform their classrooms. He has led professional development sessions on coding and he understands students’ desire to learn this exciting medium.
McKay left the full-time teacher role to receive a Master’s degree in Instructional Design at Brigham Young University. Since then, McKay has worked for three years teaching elementary students, elementary teachers, and elementary education students how to code and how to integrate technology in ways that transform their classrooms. He has led professional development sessions on coding and he understands students’ desire to learn this exciting medium.
Helen Hu - ECEP State Leader
Dr. Helen Hu is a Professor of Computer Science at Westminster College, where she teaches a variety of courses, including CS1, CS2, algorithms, and graphics. She has converted many of her classes to POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning), a research-based instructional strategy that emphasizes active learning and that has been shown to improve student retention of course content. She earned her PhD from the University of Utah and her bachelors from Princeton University. Dr. Hu is passionate about broadening participation in computer science in Utah. She is the Principal Investigator for the IntroCS POGIL Project, the Utah Exploring CS Initiative, the Westminster Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM (TIDES) project. She was presented with the Utah Governor's Medal for Science and Technology in Education for her work introducing an equity-focused computer science course to over 100 Utah high schools. In 2015, she was named one of Insight into Diversity's 100 Inspiring Women in STEM.
Adam Eden - Chapter Social Media Liaison
Adam is an Information System Security Officer with BAE Systems, where he supports the Air Force Nuclear Weapon Center (AFNWC) Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system and the MMIII Chief of Cybersecurity. He was recently hired as a CTE-Business Teacher at Bear River High School for the 2024-2025 school year, and will be teaching digital Media 1 and 2, 3D Animation 1 and 2, 3D Graphics, Business Management, and CAD Mechanics Design 2. Adam served briefly in the U.S. Army National Guard as a 35F All Source Intelligence Analyst until he was honorably discharged in early 2018. Adam graduated as Valedictorian from Full Sail University with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. He also holds an Associate of Science in Information Technology and has earned his CompTIA Security+ CE and (ISC)2: Certified in Cybersecurity certifications. Adam is a registered Scouts BSA Merit Badge Counselor for 25 merit badges including Digital Technology and Programming, just to name a couple.