About Me

Rachel J. Pierson

Rachel J. Pierson, MSEd

she/her

Instructional Technologist · Curriculum Designer & Trainer · Advocate for Computer Science Education

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States

Educational Technology Curriculum Development Technology Integration Teacher Coaching Collaborative Problem Solving

About

Rachel J. Pierson is a passionate educator with a mission to empower teachers and students through innovative technology integration. With a wealth of experience spanning elementary and middle school education, STEM, and instructional design, she brings a unique perspective on harnessing technology to enhance teaching and learning. Currently, Rachel serves as a middle school Computer Technology teacher in South Dakota and has a rich background in curriculum design, development, and teacher coaching. Her expertise extends to educational technology, instructional technology, and building online communities that foster collaboration and professional growth. A versatile and creative individual, Rachel enjoys exploring graphic design, website development, and singing semi-professionally. As an advocate for lifelong learning, she is committed to inspiring educators and students alike to embrace the power of technology in the classroom and beyond.

Education

Master of Science in Education — Educational Design & Technology

Concordia University Wisconsin

Bachelor of Science in Education

Martin Luther College

Teaching interests

Computer Science Education (K–12)
Computational Thinking Integration
Educational Technology & Innovation
Instructional Design & Curriculum Development
Heutagogy & Self-Determined Learning
AI Literacy for Educators & Students

Awards & honors

South Dakota Computer Science Teacher of the Year, 2026

Certifications & credentials

Google for Education

Google

Google Certified Educator Level 1

Google for Education · 2023

Google

Google Certified Educator Level 2

Google for Education · 2025

Gemini Certified Educator

Google for Education · 2025

View Google credential wallet ↗

Quality Matters

QM

QM Teaching Online Certificate

Quality Matters · 2021

Connecting Learning Theories to Teaching Strategies, 2021
Creating Presence, 2021
Evaluation of Course Design, 2021
Learner Assessment, 2021
Orienting Learners, 2021
Policy Awareness, 2021
Technology Skills Self-Assessment, 2021

Courses taught

AP Computer Science Principles
Web Page Design
Game Programming
6th Grade Computer Technology
7th Grade Computer Technology
8th Grade Graphic Design & Digital Media
8th Grade Coding & Programming
Charting the Path: South Dakota’s Proposed K-8 Computer Science Standards
TIE25 Conference · Rapid City, SD · April 2025
Storytelling with Code: Empowering Student Voice and Creativity
ASTE Conference · Anchorage, AK · February 2025
Creating and Using Rubrics with SpeedGrader
SFSD Middle School Professional Development · February 2025
Empowering Educators: Innovative Tech Tools and Wellness in the Digital Age
SD Education Association Summer Academy · Summer 2024
Coding Clubs and Easy Curriculum Add-ons with CS First
TIE22 · Sioux Falls, SD · April 2022
Applied Digital Skills 15-Minute Flash Preview
TIE22 · Sioux Falls, SD · April 2022
Students say, “Hear our voices!”
Cue’d Up by CUE-NV · June 2020
Alternative Assessment for a Remote World
OpenLearning@MLC · June 2020
Global Connections – WELS EdTechLead
Wisconsin Dells, WI · June 2019
Google Level 1 Certification Bootcamp
EdTechLead Conference · June 2019
Code.org Computer Science Discoveries — 5-Day Workshop, Q4 Workshop, Q3 Workshop, Program Summary
Various · 2018–2019
Keynote: “Know, Grow, Go”
Powerful Learning Conference · November 2017
Sphero Games: An Olympic Inspired Robot Race · CS First: Free Computer Science Coding Clubs
Powerful Learning Conference · November 2017
Using Technology in Reading · Go for the Gold: Sphero Olympics
Wisconsin Lutheran State Teachers’ Conference · October 2017
Going for the Gold: Sphero Olympics
ITEM Spring Conference · Hopkins, MN · April 2017
CS First: Giving Kids Superpowers Through Computer Science
Minnesota Summit featuring Google For Education · March 2017
CS First: Giving Kids Superpowers Through Computer Science
TIES: Empowering Learners · Minneapolis, MN · December 2016
CS First: Giving Kids Superpowers Through Computer Science
EdTechTeam Google Summit · Fergus Falls, MN · August 2016
CS First Coding Clubs
Google Institute, TIES · Falcon Heights, MN · June 2016
Extending Student Writing through Blogging
WELSTech Conference · July 2015
Apps and Extensions for Reading Instruction
Metro Milwaukee Teachers’ Conference · March 2014
Blogging with Students · Writing eBooks with Students
appFest, Marian University · Fond du Lac, WI · August 2013
Classroom in the Cloud
Google Education Summit, Wisconsin Lutheran College · Milwaukee, WI · June 2013
Technology Integration in the K-8 Classroom
Metro Milwaukee Teachers’ Conference · March 2013
Technology as Alternative Assessment
Metro Milwaukee Teachers’ Conference · March 2011

2 thoughts on “About Me

  1. Dina

    Hi,
    Last week I was able to view and hear the podcasts from your website on the interviews done for the end of the book project for Hatchet. I had minimized it and then shut my computer down for the weekend. Now, I am unable to see it on your site. It is missing. It says the student’s names but has not link. Have they been taken down? Can I find it somewhere else?

    Reply
    1. Rachel Pierson

      Hi Dina! Sorry for the glitch! I migrated all my content over to my new site, and the links must have gone away when I did that. I will fix it as soon as I’m able, and will send you an email when the content is updated. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply

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