I am an advocate for introducing students and teachers to the world of coding. I love to share my passion for creative coding and digital making tools with students and teachers at school districts and educational conferences. I have worked with over 25 school districts from across Canada and beyond to support system-wide initiatives involving coding and computational thinking in education.
I am a PhD Candidate at Western University, focusing on K-12 Teacher Education related to Computational Thinking, Coding, and Mathematics Education. I am grateful to have been awarded a Canada Graduate Scholarship (Doctoral program) through SSHRC, an award to promote continued excellence in Canadian research by rewarding and retaining high-calibre doctoral students at Canadian institutions. I’ve also received an Ontario Graduate Scholarship in 2021 for my research work in my PhD program. My PhD supervisor is Dr. George Gadanidis, a math education professor whose work you can explore here. I have a Masters in Professional Education (MPEd) in the field of Mathematics Education and also hold an Honours Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from Western as well as a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree from the University of Toronto.
I have taught Computational Modelling in Mathematics and Science Education in the BEd program at Western for 6 years, receiving the 2016 and 2019 Award for Excellence in Teaching in an undergraduate program.
I am honoured to have recently received the 2021 Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence – Certificate of Achievement. You can read more about this recognition here. In 2019, I was inducted into the Society of Descartes Medallists at the University of Waterloo for my contribution to computer science and math education in Ontario, receiving the Rene Descartes Medal. I am also grateful to have been awarded the Western University Art Geddes Learning About Teaching Award in 2020.
In 2019, I completed the Graduate Student Innovation Scholar program, offered in partnership through WORLDiscoveries and the Pierre Morrisette Institute for Entrepreneurship at the Ivy Business School.
I’ve had the honour to coauthor the 3rd Edition of Coding for Young Mathematicians – Using Scratch and Python in collaboration with Dr. George Gadanidis. I contributed to My Best Idea in Math, a newly released book for K–12 educators, school board administrators, and ministry officials, written alongside many esteemed educators in Ontario. I have also had the privilege to co-author articles and chapters published in academic journals and books focusing on computational thinking and coding, some of which are highlighted here.
Along with my husband, Steven Floyd, I cohost TVO’s Coding in the Classroom site. On this site, resources, webinars and coding tools have been created and shared to support educators with navigating Ontario’s new grades 1-8 Mathematics, Grade 9 Mathematics, and grades 1-8 Science and Technology curriculum, each of which include a coding component.
I have over 18 years of experience teaching within the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) where I have taught computer science, mathematics, science and experiential learning. Upon return from my maternity leave, I will be working as the Learning Coordinator for grades 9-12 mathematics.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about keynote presentations, workshops or resources.
Thanks for visiting!
Lisa Anne Floyd
Contact information for presentation and workshop inquiries:
@lisaannefloyd (Twitter)
Coding Ideas for Educators 