Kuri D.

Kuri DiFede is passionate about expanding the reach and impact of computer science education. From her experience growing up in rural VA and as a first-generation college student, she understands how education can change and transform lives. She aims to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of CS programs, particularly for underrepresented students. As the Teacher Leader for the CS department at Mineola High School, she has led several initiatives, including cultivating a dual-enrollment 30-credit CS program, running and growing asynchronous classes and implementing APCSP for all 9th graders. All of these initiatives are aimed at increasing the accessibility of computer science, and have led to a dramatic increase in enrollment from underrepresented groups. Outside of the classroom, Kuri founded and advises multiple robotics teams and computer science clubs including CS Honor Society, Hackathon Team, FIRST Tech Challenge and the FIRST Robotics Competition team. Under her guidance, her students have created applications using AI to help other students learn, advanced to the FIRST Robotics Championship for their outreach in the community, and won awards in the Congressional App Challenge. Her undergrad degree is in Physics from the University of Richmond, she has a Masters in Computer Science from NYU, and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from the College of St. Rose. She is a NY State Master Teacher, has won the FIRST Robotics Woodie Flowers award and is the current secretary for CSTA-Long Island. She has been featured for her work in edWeek, Hello World Magazine, and Columbia Center for Public Research.