Brenda M.

Brenda has been teaching at Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama, since 2010. Since introducing AP Computer Science Principles in 2017, she has expanded the program to include AP Computer Science A, Exploring Computer Science, and Programming Foundations—efforts that have opened doors for students of all backgrounds to explore computing. Originally from Texas, Brenda began her teaching career there after earning a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (2007) and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (2009) from Texas A&M University—Gig 'em! With a passion for STEAM education, Brenda is dedicated to inspiring students through her own journey. This year, she helped secure the AMSTI Robotics Grant to bring Cubetto robots into developmental classrooms, promoting hands-on programming experiences. She’s excited to launch a computer science honor society to celebrate student excellence in computing. Brenda is grateful for the support of her husband of 15 years, Brian, an engineer at NASA, whose insights help her bring real-world relevance into the classroom. Together, they’re proud parents of two daughters—Braelyn, their brave and joyful sunshine, and Belle, their kind and curious thinker. Outside the classroom, Brenda enjoys cooking and unwinding on the elliptical—where she reflects or catches up on her favorite streamed shows.