Kristin F.

Meet Kristin, an experienced high school educator with a passion for breaking barriers in the field of technology. With 16 years of teaching under her belt, Kristin's journey took a pivotal turn in 2009 when she developed the first Computer Programming class at Novi High School. Witnessing the underrepresentation of young women in her classes, she took the reins, expanding course offerings to include AP Computer Science A and actively encouraging female enrollment. Today she teaches five sections of AP Computer Science A and mentors her female colleague who teaches another three sections, totaling over 200 current students enrolled in AP Computer Science A. Kristin's impact has been remarkable, with the percentage of female students in her classes soaring from less than 5% to an impressive 30%. Her presence at the front of the classroom has served as an inspiration, motivating young women to claim their space in the world of technology. Not content with merely teaching, Kristin founded the Girls Who Code club at Novi High School in 2016, uniting around 50 members annually in a shared mission to bridge the gender gap in technology. Beyond the classroom, Kristin and her club members have taken proactive steps, engaging in outreach programs that bring technology education to elementary schools in the district. Their efforts aim not only to inspire the current generation of young women but also to energize and shape the aspirations of the next. As Kristin looks to the future, she envisions continued advocacy for diversity in technology and hopes to expand her impact even further. Her dedication to empowering young minds, especially young women, in the realm of computer science stands as a testament to her commitment to fostering positive change in the tech landscape.