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Sandy Czajka is a Computer Science and Mathematics educator at Riverside Brookfield High School in Riverside, Illinois, where she has taught since 2003. She initiated, developed, and currently teaches AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, and CS Discoveries. Sandy's expertise in AP Computer Science education is reflected in her extensive work with the College Board, where she served as AP CS-A Development Committee Co-Chair (2017-2019) and Committee Member (2014-2021). She has been an AP CS-A Exam Leader, Question Leader, Table Leader, or Reader since 2009 and continues to serve as an AP CS Principles and APCS A Consultant,presenting workshops across the USA and internationally. Her commitment to excellence in computer science education has earned numerous recognitions, including the 2025 Illinois State Board of Education Award of Meritorious Service in the Classroom, the 2019 AP CS Principles Female Diversity Award for Riverside Brookfield High School, the 2018 CSTA/Infosys Teacher of Excellence Award, and the 2017 NCWIT Regional Educator Award. She is also a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM, sponsoring Girls Who Code and receiving the 2016 AAUW Grant for Encouraging Girls in STEM.
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Sandy Czajka
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APCS-A COURSE DESCRIPTION
Transform your teaching and energize your classroom with this dynamic, hands-on workshop designed for educators ready to take their AP Computer Science A instruction to the next level. Whether you're a seasoned AP teacher or new to the course, you'll master the revised 2025 Curriculum and Exam Description, discover insider tips for crafting and scoring Free Response Questions using the updated format, and unlock power-user strategies to transform AP Classroom into an interactive learning hub. Experience creative ways to bring complex programming concepts to life through manipulatives and storytelling, and access content-rich labs ready to implement immediately. Through collaborative learning, mock scoring sessions, and student-centered activities, you'll gain practical tools and actionable strategies to broaden participation, create an inclusive CS program, and inspire the next generation of computer scientists—leaving ready to make an immediate impact in your classroom!
Located in California. Pacific Standard Time.
AGENDA
Day 1: Understanding the Course
Course and Exam Description
● Deep Dive into the CED
● Broadening Access
● Online Teacher Community and Recruitment
● Unit 1
Exploring AP Classroom
● Videos
● Self-Guided Study
Day 2: Teaching the Course
Instructional Strategies
● AP Classroom Q & A
● Modeling CS Concepts – Student-Centered Activities
● Units 2 and 3
● Labs for AP CS A
Day 3: Developing and Teaching the Course
Instructional Strategies
● Strategies and Pedagogical Tools
● Using AP Classroom Data
● Units 3 and 4
Developing the Unit
● Work on Labs of your choice
● Add content Units of your choice
Day 4: Assessing Student Progress and Course Development
Instructional Strategies
● Unit 4
● Preparing for the AP Exam
● Scoring FRQs
AP Labs / Preparing for the AP Exam
● Work on Labs of your choice
● Create Review Materials for AP Exam
Transform your teaching and energize your classroom with this dynamic, hands-on workshop designed for educators ready to take their AP Computer Science A instruction to the next level. Whether you're a seasoned AP teacher or new to the course, you'll master the revised 2025 Curriculum and Exam Description, discover insider tips for crafting and scoring Free Response Questions using the updated format, and unlock power-user strategies to transform AP Classroom into an interactive learning hub. Experience creative ways to bring complex programming concepts to life through manipulatives and storytelling, and access content-rich labs ready to implement immediately. Through collaborative learning, mock scoring sessions, and student-centered activities, you'll gain practical tools and actionable strategies to broaden participation, create an inclusive CS program, and inspire the next generation of computer scientists—leaving ready to make an immediate impact in your classroom!
Located in California. Pacific Standard Time.
AGENDA
Day 1: Understanding the Course
Course and Exam Description
● Deep Dive into the CED
● Broadening Access
● Online Teacher Community and Recruitment
● Unit 1
Exploring AP Classroom
● Videos
● Self-Guided Study
Day 2: Teaching the Course
Instructional Strategies
● AP Classroom Q & A
● Modeling CS Concepts – Student-Centered Activities
● Units 2 and 3
● Labs for AP CS A
Day 3: Developing and Teaching the Course
Instructional Strategies
● Strategies and Pedagogical Tools
● Using AP Classroom Data
● Units 3 and 4
Developing the Unit
● Work on Labs of your choice
● Add content Units of your choice
Day 4: Assessing Student Progress and Course Development
Instructional Strategies
● Unit 4
● Preparing for the AP Exam
● Scoring FRQs
AP Labs / Preparing for the AP Exam
● Work on Labs of your choice
● Create Review Materials for AP Exam