Celebrating a Black Woman’s Passion for Teaching Computer Science to Students in Our Nation
For this year’s Black History Month, CSforALL highlights Leontae Gray-Ward, an incredible computer science educator that has reached beyond the traditional classroom and launched her organization to tackle inequalities in computer science education.
Photo Credit: Will Lewis Photography & Design Solutions
For this year’s Black History Month, CSforALL collaborated with member CSTA (The Computer Science Teachers Association). Throughout the month of February, our organizations are highlighting Black computer science education teachers. One of those incredible individuals is Leontae Gray-Ward, Instructor, ‘Project Lead the Way’ for Scott Middle School in Hammond, Indiana. As a Black computer science educator, the CSforALL team wanted to uplift and learn more about Mrs. Gray-Ward’s passion for teaching CS to students in our nation.
See our full interview with Leontae Gray-Ward below:
CSforALL: The CSforALL team is delighted to interview such an advocate and deeply-rooted STEM educator. We would like to kick-off this interview by learning more about your background and your instructor role at School City of Hammond?
Leontae Gray-Ward: I began working as the Project Lead the Way Teacher during the 2020–2021 school year. During that time, our middle school included grades 6–8. After board approval for reconfiguring the grade levels, I currently teach grades 7–8. Students enrolled in my course are provided with the opportunity to engage in Computer Science and Makers (CSIM) and Code.org courses.
In the CSIM course, students discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects. They also learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development. They are given hands-on experience in developing code for microcontrollers (Microbits).
Students also learn to create and share content on their individual web pages. After finalizing the content, they can structure and style their pages using HTML and CSS. They can share their designs and creativity with the world. Programming skills include but are not limited to debugging, using resources, and teamwork.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a non-profit organization that is the nation’s leader in STEM curriculum. The headquarters has been located in Indianapolis, Indiana since 2011.
More than 5,000 elementary, middle, and high schools have implemented the PLTW curriculum that includes courses such as PLTW Launch (Grades Pre-K-5), Gateway to Technology (Grades 6–8), Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, and Computer Science that are offered at the high school level.
CSforALL: Between your education at Purdue University Northwest and being an instructor for numerous years in the classroom, what keeps you so passionate about providing high-quality, rigorous, and engaging STEM to students? Is there any singular story that keeps you committed to helping students excel?
LGW: During my journey as an educator, I have observed that there are students who believe that they are not capable of becoming academic achievers due to their performance in relation to academic success metrics like grade point averages and standardized testing. With this, there are teachers that have become insensitive to the cultural bias that many of our students have to overcome to excel academically and in life. However, I am dedicated to helping students benefit from my equitable teaching. I encourage each of the students to demonstrate their *best* in everything that they do.
My personal experiences have driven my passion to assist with addressing the digital divide in communities of color and encouraging exposure to STEAM curriculum. While enrolled at PNW, I never saw other women of color enrolled in my classes. I was constantly met with racism, prejudice, and discrimination. In my senior year at PNW, as I walked through the hallway of the Engineering Technology Building, I overheard one professor telling another professor that I was a failure and did not deserve to be in the program. I was deeply hurt by the conversation that I heard. With tears in my eyes and aches in my heart from the harsh words that I heard, I shared with my mom what I had encountered. My mom was livid when I informed her of the conversation, but she reminded me,“Failure is not an option.” Ironically, it was the commitment of one White male instructor who supported me with additional office hours to ensure that I mastered the content of my degree studies. This same instructor was the one I heard defending me against the horrible remarks that I overheard. Despite being hurt and angry, I was concerned that the White male instructor could lose his job trying to defend me in the heated conversation with the instructor who was tenured. This incident always served as a personal reminder that “It’s always worth the fight when you’re fighting for what’s right,” and sometimes you have to be willing to fight giants.
CSforALL: Can you tell us about your newest work around building and directing a new organization called ‘S.T.E.A.M City Tek Exec’? What you are hoping to accomplish?
LGW: My passion for teaching computer science beyond the traditional classroom, encouraged the launching of my business, S.T.E.A.M City Tek Exec.
S.T.E.A.M City Tek Exec’s mission is to provide educational and professional training in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics for youth and adults. I want to impact scholars in low-income communities with high-quality computer science programming opportunities.
Recently, S.T.E.A.M CityTek Exec partnered with NFL football player, Kawann Short. Together, we tackled inequalities in computer science education by providing students ages 8–16 with 30-minute Computer Science sessions at the Kawann Short Charities — 5th annual S.T.E.A.M & Football Camp 2021. Additionally, a partnership with City New Life, a Northwest Indiana 21st Century Learning Community, provided the opportunity to implement 5 weeks of 45-minute Computer Science fundamentals courses for students grades K-8 from various schools in Northwest Indiana.
Lastly, S.T.E.A.M. City Tek Exec partnered with the Indiana Ivy Tech Community College Trio -Educational Talent Search Programs and facilitated two virtual STEM labs. Student participants were able to build Electrochemical Saltwater batteries that can keep a clock running and Geometric Laser Projectors that were capable of producing a variety of different geometric patterns.
I hope to continue to grow and impact my community and communities across the world. As we progress, we will definitely be looking to leverage funding through grants and other financial programs in order to expand offering our services.
I am committed to being the change that I want to see. I am thankful for my family, friends, and colleagues who are encouraging me to go beyond my comfort zone. I am looking forward to bridging this gap.
CSforALL: What are two pieces of advice you would give to other women of color who are looking to inspire students in computer science? Who inspires you in the world of STEAM?
LGW: My advice to other women of color who are looking to inspire students in computer science would be to know even when it seems as though you don’t belong in a particular environment “You DO Belong There”. I never saw myself as a teacher, but once I opened the door I was able to walk in. I understand that God has a divine purpose for me to help prepare and equip students for their future. Remember, behind every successful person is a good teacher who impacted their “Road to Success!”
Mrs. Lindie Jackson is someone who inspires me in the world of computer science and technology. Mrs. Jackson has provided parents and staff with various computer training. She implemented the “Tech Zone Kids” at John W. Anderson Boys & Girls Club in Gary, Indiana. “Tech Zone Kids” engaged students with various projects that allowed them to explore technology. She went from serving her community to working in the school system. Mrs. Jackson has held positions as an Information Technology Coordinator, CTE, and Dual Credit Instructor for Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University. Her passion led her to become an ”Agent for Change” in communities of color, technology, and computer science.
CSforALL: One of our last questions, who plays a major role in your success?
LGW: Family and faith are the foundation of my success. My husband, Dominic, who is an automotive worker, often brings his building and technical expertise to support me in my dreams. My children Azariah (12) and Ezra (3) inspire me to use my voice when it comes to equity in the classroom. Since three years old, Azariah has been by my side as I coached a local robotics team. He has been a part of two different teams where he is the only minority and black boy. I am privileged to watch him compete and thrive on these teams. However, his sole presence leaves me concerned about school districts’ commitment to bridging the diversity and equity gap when it comes to the digital divide in marginalized communities.
My sisters Vinchessica, VinSche’, and Litney are some of my biggest supporters and help me operate day to day. Oftentimes, they tease me about always talking about them, but as the oldest, I am very proud of all of their accomplishments as well.
The center of all my success began with my lovely parents Vincent & Leona Gray. My dad is a pastor who made sure we were grounded in our faith. My mom is an educator that strongly believes in exposure and equality. Every summer my mom would find a summer enrichment camp, STEM camp, and/or music camp at various universities for us to attend that gave us exposure to STEM and other subject areas.
Together, my parents advocated not just for my sisters and me, but for our peers when change was necessary. They traveled to Speak Up, Speak Out, and Demand the best for all children to have better opportunities and academic equality.
“A special thank you to CSforALL for extending to me this opportunity to share parts of my STEAM journey. Regardless of their age, I hope others will not only be inspired, but impacted to become advocates and allies for greater representation of historically underrepresented populations in STEM/STEAM-related curriculum, opportunities, and careers.” — Leontae Gray-Ward, Instructor, Project Lead the Way
