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About Me

I'm Kate McDonnell (my students call me Ms. McD), and this blog follows my adventures in teaching computer science and completing my doctorate in CS education. Computer science is a powerful tool that can change the world, and my goal is to share that power with as many students as possible.

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I love to travel, and this is one of my favorite pictures of me near a glacier in Norway.

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Educational Background

University of Florida (2022-Present)

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College of Saint Scholastica (2015-2017)

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Colorado State University (2001-2008)

  • Master of Education, Technology Education

  • Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering, Summa Cum Laude

    • Minors in Mathematics and Physics

Philosophy of Computer Science Education

I believe that all students can learn computer science, given enough time and motivation. I want to prepare my students to be life-long learners and problem solvers. I believe in self-paced and mastery learning, giving students multiple opportunities to learn and show their understanding. I focus on building relationships and making my classroom a safe place for my students. As a programmer, I can automate parts of my teaching, like feedback of programming assignments, that can help students learn better on their own and free up my time to focus on more difficult tasks.

Current Professional Role

I have been teaching STEM for 17 years. I spent the first four years of my career teaching Physics and Chemistry and have dedicated the last 13 years to teaching computer science. I teach AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, and Data Structures and Algorithms. I started teaching CSP in 2017, the first year it was offered. I now teach Data Structures and Algorithms as a Dual Enrollment course through a nearby university. Currently, I teach in two schools, one a traditional in-person and one fully online.

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Over the last few years, I have focused on using programming to automate and simplify my teaching and grading. This passion has led to my work with the free online curriculum CSAwesome. In 2020, I wrote the auto-grading code for the online textbook, continuing my passion for using programming to support the learning process. In 2022, I became a CSAwesome PD facilitator, supporting teachers who are learning Java and teaching it for the first time.

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I have been an AP Reader since 2017 (2 years for CSP and the rest for CSA). 2024 was my first year as a Table Leader for AP CSA.

Certifications & Professional Development

  • Modern Classroom Project (2021)

  • Flipped Learning Certified Level I & II (2016)

  • CCSD STEM Integration Cohort-Project-Based Learning (2016-19)

  • CCSD Teacher Leadership Program (2013)

  • Mentor Teacher, Colorado State University GK-12 Biosensor NSF Grant (2009 - 2011)

Awards and Recognition

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