About me
Willy is the President of CSTA Miami and an advocate for broadening access to computer science (CS) education. Formerly the Regional Manager and Specialist for Florida with Microsoft Philanthropies' TEALS Program, Willy worked to build sustainable CS programs in high schools, focusing on serving students excluded from learning CS due to race, gender, and geography. His efforts involved pairing classroom teachers with industry volunteers and proven curricula to empower teachers to independently teach CS.
With CSTA Miami, Willy continues to foster a strong community of CS educators, offering professional development opportunities, establishing CS Honor Societies, organizing student hackathons, and collaborating with key leaders in CS education across Florida.
Before TEALS, Willy was the Chair of the Engineering and Computer Science department at a prominent independent school in South Florida. His commitment to equity and problem-solving led him to 3D print prosthetic hands for children in Bolivia and England and create a custom wheelchair costume through the Magic Wheelchair project. These experiences shaped his holistic approach to education, emphasizing that all STEAM subjects are interconnected.
Willy holds a bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education from FIU and in 2017 received the Chamber South Volunteer Appreciation Award. He lives in Miami, FL, with his wife Yvy, son Mateo, daughter Luna Mia, and their two dogs, Lobo and Peppa.