CSTANJ CSPDWeek 2026

Paige Besthoff taught computers for 27 years beginning at a NYC middle school then high school in NJ. Realizing the need for students to be exposed to computer science at a younger age she volunteered to move to the elementary school eleven years ago where she designed the K-5 curriculum based on the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) standards.

Paige is the Project Manager for CSTANJ’s annual conference, CSPDWeek, Program Manager, CS4NJ, Program Assistant to the Central New Jersey CS Education Hub and facilitates workshops on computer science and artificial intelligence. She is a frequent presenter at CSTA, ISTE and other CS and technology conferences across the country. Paige has hosted Family Code and Robotics nights and was the STEAM Camp Director in her school district. She is an active member of CSTA at the state and national levels. She is the CSTANJ Chapter Vice President and CSTA K-5 Conference Elementary Subcommittee lead. Paige is a 2023 CS Excellence in Teaching Award winner, a Tynker Distinguished Educator, CodeMonkey, Sphero Hero, imagiLabs, and Elementari.com teacher ambassador, administers a K-8 Facebook group, and mentors teachers interested in CS.