2022-01-21: Lesley Frew (Computer Science Masters Student)

My name is Lesley Frew. I am a Computer Science MS student at ODU being supervised by Dr. Michele Weigle. I work full time as a high school computer science teacher in Northern Virginia. I started taking online graduate computer science courses at ODU in order to become qualified to teach dual enrollment computer science. Dual enrollment teachers need a master’s degree with a minimum of 18 graduate credits in their content area.

I have been able to participate in a variety of unique career opportunities at both the state and national levels. When the Virginia Department of Education developed the Computer Science Standards of Learning in 2017, I served on the teacher review committee. I have also written curriculum through Code Virginia and scored exams as an AP Computer Science A Reader. My school’s computer science program is thriving, with 16 sections being offered this year.

Before becoming a teacher eleven years ago, I graduated from the University of Virginia’s BA/MT linked program in 2011 with a major in mathematics. I worked for the computer science department as an undergraduate teaching assistant for three and a half years. I also was an active member of my residential learning community, Brown College. I held a position on the governance board for three years, and taught credit bearing short courses on various math and computer science topics to my dorm mates. Outside of my studies, I sang for five years in an early music vocal ensemble.

In my free time, I enjoy singing and traveling. My current travel goal is to visit all 50 states, and I am over halfway there!

Clingmans Dome TN, Antelope Island UT, and Kitty Hawk Pier NC

My computing interests include web science, gender in computing, and the impacts that society and computing have on each other. I appreciate the opportunity to pursue this degree while I continue teaching, and I’m looking forward to learning more about research.

-Lesley