When I was a second-grade teacher, early in my career, I attended an education conference that promised to transform my teaching. Excitedly, I rushed from one breakout session to another, eager to soak up every new resource and innovative strategy being shared. At times, it felt like I was trying to drink from a firehose — my mind swimming with fresh ideas and possibilities. By the end of those three jam-packed days, I was inspired and motivated to bring meaningful change to my classroom.
But then reality hit.
I hadn’t figured out how to incorporate those exciting ideas into my lesson plans. As my teenage son likes to say when rummaging through the kitchen, “There are only ingredients here. Where’s the meal?” I realized I was missing crucial elements: time to reflect, a colleague to collaborate with, and a concrete plan to transform all those fun ideas into impactful learning for my students.
Fast forward to this past June, when I witnessed an extraordinary professional learning opportunity for California public school educators — a program that offered all the support and structure I wish I’d had back then! As part of a statewide effort to expand students’ access to Computer Science (CS) Standards and meet growing workforce demands, K-12 educators from across California were invited to join the Summer of CS. This interactive, community-driven program featured a mix of virtual and in-person professional learning workshops, designed for all levels — novices and experienced CS teachers alike.
Based on the collaborative model pioneered by Seasons of CS, these summer workshops went beyond the typical “one-and-done” sessions. Participants receive year-round support from CS education experts, industry professionals, and a network of peers — providing guidance, encouragement, and practical advice for building engaging curricula and teaching computer science with confidence.
One attendee said they enjoyed meeting so many different people:
It was amazing to see such a diverse group coming together to hone their skills and up their game. I met a nice cross-section of educators from across California.
As the Summer of CS workshops progressed, I watched educators dive into hands-on activities, practicing targeted problem-solving strategies for their classrooms. They didn’t just interact with tools and facilitators — they connected deeply with one another, making plans to extend their support network throughout the school year.
One participant shared how Seasons of CS had transformed her teaching journey:
I am filled with deep gratitude for the transformative journey Seasons of CS has offered me over the years. What began as a professional development opportunity has become a personal and professional calling — one that has elevated me as a teacher-leader, mentor, and champion for equitable access to computer science in elementary education.
Summer of CS welcomed educators from every subject area and grade level, offering resources designed to support ongoing professional growth. In today’s world, computer science is relevant across all subjects and careers, making Summer of CS the perfect opportunity for teachers to learn how to help students prepare for the future.
Seventeen workshops were held statewide, with regional offerings designed for K–5 educators and a special statewide event, CSPDWeek, for grades 6–12 educators. CSPDWeek took place in Anaheim from June 23–27, 2025, and educators for grades 6–12 participated in their choice of one of 10 five-day workshops. Each region in the California Statewide System of Support hosted a three-day K-5 workshop during June 2025. In total, this represents over 71 days of professional learning provided to educators at workshops hosted throughout California. Across these workshops, participants embraced the belief that every student in California — no matter where they live — deserves a high-quality education grounded in problem-solving and critical thinking: the foundation of computer science.
This summer, educators didn’t just leave with a handful of lesson ingredients; they left with a recipe for success. They gained access to supportive facilitators, with the promise of ongoing guidance as they implement new curricula, and a vibrant community of like-minded educators, all committed to expanding computer science education for every student. As the new school year begins, all Summer of CS participants have made plans to implement 30–75 hours of CS instruction using the curriculum and pedagogical strategies they received during their chosen workshop.
Have you developed an appetite for discovering computer science-related lesson resources for your classroom? Check out the links below to learn more about how you can foster the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers.
- Subscribe to the California STEAM Initiatives newsletter.
- Log in to California Educators Together to discover computer science lesson resources for your classroom. Join the Seasons of CS group so you can access computer science-related lesson resources, collaborate, and chat with other members of the group.
- Sign up for “This Week in CSEd” Newsletter curated by the California Department of Education by sending a blank email with subject line “subscribe” to: subscribe-computer-science-all@mlist.cde.ca.gov
- Check with your County Office of Education staff for upcoming regional professional learning opportunities.
Together, we can bring accessible, equitable computer science education to California students.
ALL Students Should Learn CS. ALL Teachers Can Teach CS.
Summer of CS was made possible with funding from California’s Educator Workforce Investment Grant awarded by the California Department of Education (CDE) to the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS), with their partners CDE Foundation (CDEF) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Check out the following regional photos of CSPDWeek participants. Each regional was represented at CSPDWeek in Anaheim.
