CSTANJ CSPDWeek 2026: Full Schedule

CSPDWeek 2026

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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8:00am EDT

Opening Session

Monday August 3, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

TCNJ, BSC 100 @ 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA

Kick off CSPDWeek 2026 with a morning of connection and inspiration. Join us for check-in and a light breakfast, followed by opening remarks from CSTANJ and NJDOE Office of Innovation leadership. The session will conclude with our featured keynote address to set the stage for a week of innovation in computer science education.

Speakers

Paige Besthoff

CSPDWeek Project Manager, CSTANJ Vice President, Professional Learning Resource Designer, Teach Me For Tomorrow

Paige taught K-12 computers for over 25 years and designed her district’s K-5 CS curriculum based on the CSTA and NJ standards. She is the founder of Teach Me For Tomorrow, where she designs lessons and supplemental resources for popular programming platforms and facilitates computer... Read More →

Michelle Wendt

Technology Integrationist and Adjunct Instructor, Stockton University ETTC

Michelle Wendt is a Technology Integrationist and Adjunct Instructor at Stockton University. She holds a Master of Education in Instructional Technology and a long background in K-12 education. Michelle provides professional development programs to teachers to help them effectively... Read More →

Sponsors

CSTANJ

Computer Science Teachers Association, New Jersey

Monday August 3, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
TCNJ, BSC 100

Networking, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Collaboration, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

Company In-person

11:00am EDT

Book Swap

LIMITED

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am EDT

TCNJ, SSB 105 @ 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA

Limited Capacity seats available

Come participate in CSTA NJ's first book swap! Participants can come bring 1 to 3 books and participate in a book swap. There will be categories for the different tables including the grade levels and professional learning.

The CSTANJ Book Swap is an exciting opportunity for educators to connect, collaborate, and expand their classroom libraries while exploring the important role literacy plays in Computer Science and STEM education. Participants are invited to bring one to three books to exchange with fellow educators in a welcoming, community-focused environment. Organized tables by grade level and professional learning topics will help attendees discover new resources that support computational thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and cross-curricular learning in engaging and accessible ways.

This session highlights how literacy can strengthen CS and STEM instruction by using books to introduce complex concepts, spark curiosity, support diverse learners, and encourage meaningful classroom discussions. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore picture books, nonfiction texts, professional resources, and instructional materials that can be integrated into coding lessons, engineering challenges, maker activities, and technology instruction. The session will also encourage conversations around inclusive teaching practices, literacy integration, and strategies for making STEM learning more approachable for all students.

In addition to participating in the book swap, educators will leave with new instructional ideas, expanded professional connections, and inspiration for integrating literacy-rich experiences into their CS and STEM classrooms. Whether participants are classroom teachers, librarians, technology teachers, STEM educators, or instructional coaches, this collaborative session will provide practical resources and fresh ideas that support both student engagement and professional growth.

Speakers

Samantha Selikoff

District STEM Teacher, Rockaway Borough School District

Samantha Selikoff, a TCNJ alum, is an educator and ed tech coach who teaches STEM and 4th–5th grade Media. A passionate reader, she visits local bookstores wherever she travels. Her work blends engineering, coding, film, and financial literacy to inspire students through creativity... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am EDT
TCNJ, SSB 105

Collaboration, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

Company In-person

3:00pm EDT

Mentors in CS Meetup

Monday August 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Social Sciences Building Atrium @ 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA

Get a chance to meet your mentor/mentee in-person. Interested in learning more about the Mentorship in CS Program, come hear about the program and what it takes to apply.

Speakers

Portia Morrell

Research & Innovation Program Manager, CSTA

Monday August 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Social Sciences Building Atrium

Collaboration, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Company In-person

3:00pm EDT

Elementary Meetup Standards and Resources

FILLING

Monday August 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

TCNJ, SSB 105 @ 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618, USA

Limited Capacity filling up

These informal, end‑of‑day meetups give K–12 educators a dedicated space to connect with colleagues who teach similar grade levels. Teachers can share insights from the day’s sessions, compare classroom experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange practical strategies that support computer science and AI learning. Whether you’re looking to reflect on new ideas, troubleshoot with peers, or build ongoing professional relationships, these meetups offer a supportive environment for meaningful conversation and collaboration.

Speakers