Ms. Annie Kelly, the current CSTA Philly President, was honored by CSTA and Infosys in July by receiving the runner-up recognition for the Teaching Excellence Award! She was also honored in December by Teach for America and the Cognizant Foundation as the runner-up for their Cognizant Innovation in Computer Science Education Award. 
She started her career as an English educator and considers herself a Computer Science transplant, due especially to Dr. Tammy Pirmann, a mentor who saw in her a Computer Scientist. Annie’s CS career has been propelled by giving back that same belief to her students to dispel the impostor syndrome that is rampant in CS spaces today. Jumping headfirst into CS in 2016, Annie joined CSTA Philly and found incredible camaraderie, support, and challenges therein. Annie is also a member of the Rainbow STEM Alliance and oSTEM to be more visible for her students. Since her arrival in her current District, she has increased female participation in CS courses by over 800%, and recently earned the 2021 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award. She has participated in curriculum development, research, AP readings, school and local initiatives, and various professional development opportunities, and shows no signs of slowing down!
 
 
More information on the CSTA and Infosys awards: "2022 CS Teaching Excellence Awards"
More information on the Teach for America and Cognizant Foundation awards: "Cognizant and Teach For America Announce Winners of Annual Innovation in Computer Science Education Awards"