CodeVA Facilitators

My name is Ellen, and I teach middle school math. I have been working with Code VA since 2018. I have been teaching since 2015, and started in elementary. I have wide span of background knowledge in examples of how integration can work in a variety of grade levels and subjects.

Erin Hagedorn is an Instructional Technology Coach in Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Her Bachelor's degree is from University of Virginia, with Masters' Degrees from Eastern Mennonite University in Curriculum and Instruction and Virginia Tech in Instructional Technology and Design. Erin developed the STEM, Computer Science, and Agriculture middle school programs in Waynesboro City Schools including chairing the development of Waynesboro Educational Farm. She has worked with Virginia DOE in writing Computer Science standards lessons and integrations. Outside of the classroom, Erin trains and teaches traditional martial arts and enjoys camping and the outdoors with her family.

Hello, my name is Fara Faust. I am the Instructional Technology Specialist at Alanton Elementary School in Virginia Beach, VA. I am a native of Tennessee, but have lived in the dominion state for over 20 years. I have taught in Nashville, TN and Virginia Beach. My educational background includes teaching cross-categorical special education for 19 years before moving into educational technology. I am also a certified AMS Montessori teacher. In 2018, I was recognized as the CodeVA Computer Science Educator of the Year. In December 2021, I was named the VSTE Tech Coach of the Year. I love history and volunteer at the Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, VA. I also enjoy traveling, cooking, reading and knitting. Knitting is a new found hobby for me.

Gary is a veteran educator who has taught a variety of computer science courses and worked as a building and division-level administrator. When he's not teaching, Gary spends time with his wife and kids, enjoys a good soccer match, and studies topics related to career and technical education.

Holly Gould has served on the faculty of the University of Lynchburg as a Professor of Curriculum and Instruction since 2015. She came to the U of L from Sweet Briar College where she was on the faculty for 13 years and served as the Chair of Education and Director of Graduate Education. She has been an educational consultant and instructional coach for over 25 years in schools in the United States and Canada. She began her career as an elementary teacher and a teacher of the gifted in Alaska. Dr. Gould enjoys a variety of professional interests including teacher preparation, differentiation of instruction, curriculum and instruction, education of gifted students, and instructional technology.

I am a facilitator for CodeVA and a secondary ESL teacher in Chesapeake, Virginia. During pandemic teaching, I discovered coding as a vehicle for language learning. Since then I have integrated it in my instruction and presented on and celebrated my students’ success around Virginia and across the country. I am a Spanish learner with a BA in foreign languages and a MA in Applied Linguistics from Old Dominion University and a National Board Certified Teacher in English as a New Language. I love exploring beautiful Virginia with my 3 children Emeline, Harvey, and Ruby.

Janice began teaching middle school computer science in Hanover County, VA in 2005 and retired in 2018. She began working with CodeVA in November 2014 as a K5 Facilitator. She trained with Code.org in the summer of 2015. She began facilitating CS Discoveries in the summer of 2017. Janice was a member of the VDOE Steering Committee writing the VA CS SOLS for K5 and Middle School Elective and participated with VCU in augmenting ECS lesson plans using a culturally relevant teaching framework in 2021. She has been writing curriculum for CodeVA for Middle School Elective/CS Discoveries and Python since 2021 and for RATH since 2022. Janice also facilitates for CS Fundamentals and CS Discoveries nationwide. In her free time, Janice enjoys traveling and playing with her grandchildren.

Jessica Lawson serves as the CodeVA CS Ready Program Specialist. She joined CodeVA in August 2022 after 15 years as a Virginia public school educator. In those years, she taught in the elementary classroom, worked collaboratively developing and piloting a program based on K-5 Computer Science SOLs, and trained teachers on integrating technology into their classrooms. She earned her B.A. in Sociology and her teaching certification in Elementary Education plus a Gifted Education endorsement from W&M, holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from UVA, and received her Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership from ODU. Jessica is eager to support schools across the state in realizing the positive impact computer science offers learners of all ages.

Jessie Mullins is an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher for secondary schools in Franklin County. She started her teaching career in high school mathematics after earning her Masters and Bachelors degrees from James Madison University. Her passion for learner-centered classrooms led her to join the New Tech Network where she taught Project Based Learning mathematics. Being a founding teacher of a PBL school within-a-school led her to earning her Education Specialist Degree in School Administration and Leadership from Virginia Tech. She currently uses her technology and leadership background to coach teachers in blended learning and computer science.

Jessica is a former educator who now works as a curriculum writer at CodeVA. Her work at CodeVA focuses on designing inclusive and standards-aligned materials to assist teachers in integrating computer science into their classrooms. Prior to joining CodeVA, Jessica worked as a secondary teacher and school administrator. Jessica holds a B.A. in History and an M.S. in Adolescence Education, as well as an Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership (PK-12).