About me

After 18 years as a teacher in public schools in California, I have retired so I can focus on my other passion - farming! I now use my computer science and education skills to help small farmers via the nonprofit Tera Farm, as well as work on my own farm near the San Francisco Bay area. I am working to build an organic orchard in a place where orchards are disappearing every day.

During my 18 years in education, I taught computer science in grades 6-8 in the Los Altos School District, in Los Altos, California.  In my role as the district's Computer Science Integration Specialist, I was involved with the STEM program in the district and helped develop a computer science program for K-8 in all the elementary and junior high schools in the Los Altos School district.  I developed curriculum and conducted professional development to bring computer science to all 4500+ students in the district. I taught computer science, math, digital art, and visual art in the Los Altos school district during the 18+ years. I was known as Mrs. V by my students.  

For 5+ years, I also worked as the Krause Center for Innovation, Foothill college's Program Director for Computer science Professional Development Programs where I conducted several Saturday workshops and week long intense computer science courses for educators. My popular summer ‘Computer Science Crash Course’ helped teachers fall in love with computer science and actually understand the subject instead of just learning curriculum to deliver to students.  I  also conducted professional development workshops for teachers at several conferences and conducted custom PD programs at several other school districts.  

Prior to my teaching career, I worked for over 10 years in Silicon Valley in technology as a computer scientist and technology entrepreneur. I hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in Computer Science, a Certificate in Studio Art and the California Single Subject teaching credential in Math. 

I have presented on my work at several conferences - ISTE, CSTA, ACSD. See list here. I have written about my work in NPR's MindShift, ISTE's L&L, CSTA Voice and EdSurge. See list of Articles/Publications on my work. 

 I have been on the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Board of Directors K-8 Representative,  an education advisors to Code.org, on the advisory board for the CS K-12 Framework,  and on the advisory focus group for the California Computer Science standards.  I also worked on the NSF funded AI4K12 initiative to develop the 5 Big ideas of AI every child should know - with a focus on 6-8 grades.