Michelle Shomo Pierce invites us into her Charlotte, North Carolina classroom where computer science education transcends coding to become a vehicle for teaching essential life skills.

What makes Michelle's approach unique is her unlikely journey to becoming a computer science teacher. With a background in biology and elementary education, she stepped into the role without any formal CS training — a fact that helps her connect with students who might otherwise feel intimidated by technical subjects: "I didn't have the background knowledge, but I just kind of trusted my ability to be able to learn new things."

This philosophy of continuous learning defines her teaching. Whether she's guiding students through digital citizenship lessons, discussing the ethical implications of AI in criminal justice, or running a Girls Who Code club, Michelle focuses on empowering her Title I school students to be more than just technology consumers. "I don't want them just to be users," she explains passionately. "I want them to understand the real-world implications."

Michelle's work extends beyond her classroom as she advocates for equal access in computer science education through organizations like the Computer Science Teachers Association. Her experiences highlight the critical importance of representation, mentorship, and community in technology fields, especially for students from marginalized backgrounds. As she puts it: "If you can see it, you can be it."

Learn more about Michelle Shomo Pierce:

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

Michelle Shomo Pierce: How a STEM educator uses AI

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Michelle Shomo Pierce: How a STEM educator uses AI