Hello everyone, and thank you for checking out our video! Computer Science for All Teachers (CS for All Teachers) is a virtual community of practice, managed by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), for preK-12 teachers who are interested in teaching computer science. It is free to join and supports all teachers from novice to veteran in the CS education space.

CS for All Teachers has four goals:

• Connect novice CS teachers with the resources and people they need to learn rudimentary CS knowledge and skill
• Cultivate a deeper sense of learning for intermediate CS teachers to improve their teaching practice
• Challenge veteran CS teachers to enhance their leadership skills to support their colleagues and advocate for computer science education.
• Contribute research to the field about how best to support CS teachers virtually.

One of the most exciting things about the CS for All Teachers project is that the resources, blogs, webinars, and chats are created by our community ambassadors—teacher leaders from across the country who take ownership of the work and serve as representatives of their peers. With professional development and ongoing support from project staff, community ambassadors are the driving force behind the community. New ambassadors are selected annually, with our next round of recruitment opening soon, so if you have a strong interest in supporting CS teachers across the country, visit https://www.csforallteachers.org/ and join our community today!

To begin our discussion, we have a few questions for showcase participants:

• What do you see as the most pressing needs of PreK-12 teachers of CS?
• How do those needs differ by grade level(s) taught (if applicable)?
• In what ways can a community like CS for All Teachers support your work as a researcher? 

We look forward to this week's discussion! 

Impressive work (and great animations!). I love the "for all TEACHERS" frame, and that you have built a successful network. I'm curious about how you got the network started up? Was there a particular strategy to incentivize early participation? The numbers you share are impressive - and speak to a sustainable network. As someone who has struggled to get learning communities up and running, I'm want to know more about how you got here!

 This is a great network! And an impressive project. 

I am really curious about the practical steps you have taken to grow this network. When teachers become part of the CS for All member, how are they welcomed into the community and connected to more experienced teachers? Also, do you hold regular trainings or meetings for the network?

Great work!

I think one of the keys to setting up a social network like this is to have resources that teachers need. As you mention in the video there is a great need for CS teacher support. Given the numbers of teachers who are participating you are definitely providing resources that they need (and I need!  I need to figure out these microbits!)

I am curious about how you interact with local groups who support CS teachers. I see the website has an area for groups and there are many listed. What have you learned about connecting national and local networks?

Collaboration is key! As a co-presenter and researcher of IC4, collaboration is in the title. People learn more when they collaborate with peers in a group setting, particularly teachers. A community develops as a result of the common interests. I love how CS Teachers have a support teach throughout their teaching! 

Great video!

Is this network open to receive pre-service or first year teachers?  This is a great way to get new teachers off and running

Great video!  This virtual community of practice is so critical to the success of teachers in bringing CS to all students.  Thank you!