By Kathy Chouteau
Teacher Angela Johnson of Pinole Valley High School (PVHS) is one of only 50 educators nationwide to be chosen for the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Program.
Johnson, who teaches geometry, civil engineering and computer science at PVHS, will be compensated as part of the competitive two-year fellowship, which will see her bring computer science education and career exploration to students across Northern California.
She was selected for the program’s 2024 cohort through a highly competitive process based on her expertise in computer science and commitment to providing equitable access to computer science education, according to Amazon.
Victor Reinoso, global director of Amazon’s philanthropic education initiatives, said that “To create brighter futures for our students and communities, we must empower the next generation with the digital skills that today’s high-paying careers require.”
As part of her STEM ambassadorship, Johnson will go on a local listening tour to engage with students, parents, educators and community leaders to better understand the barriers and challenges they’re encountering in STEM and computer science education. Amazon underscored that this understanding Johnson and other ambassadors garner will help shape the future of computer science curricula.
Johnson will also undergo professional development training, and will have the chance to pilot innovative instructional strategies for teaching computer science in the classroom. Along the way, she’ll be able to connect with a network of STEM educators across the country to exchange best practices.
Amazon said that the Ambassador Program is a core part of its global effort to increase access to computer science learning, especially for those underrepresented in tech fields. It also awards students hundreds of four-year college scholarships up to $40,000, as well as paid internships at Amazon. The program also develops customized curricula and provides virtual resources, like career tours, that help expose students to technology jobs.
