Five Seattle Area Educators Chosen for Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Program

Three Bellevue School District Educators are Future Engineer Teachers with Amazon 

Bellevue, WA – August 13, 2024 – Amazon has selected five local teachers, three from Bellevue School District and two from Seattle Public Schools, among hundreds of eligible teachers for the Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Program. As five of only 50 educators nationwide chosen for this competitive two-year, paid fellowship, they will play a vital role in bringing computer science education and career exploration to students across the Seattle area. 

"Amazon is excited to announce the 2024 Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador cohort - a group of exceptional educators dedicated to expanding STEM education and tech opportunities for students," said Victor Reinoso, global director of Amazon's philanthropic education initiatives. "Equitable access to computer science resources unlocks economic mobility. To create brighter futures for our students and communities, we must empower the next generation with the digital skills that today's high-paying careers require." 

The Amazon Future Engineer initiative is a global philanthropic program focused on increasing equitable access to high-quality computer science education for children and young adults. As an Ambassador, these educators will play a vital role in helping scale computer science equity in their local communities and serving as models for what can be done across the country. 

Of the five educators, three are from the Bellevue School District: Anastasia Leja, a 16-year teaching veteran who is the computer science lead at Woodridge Elementary; Nicole Kwan from Clyde Hill Elementary, who has taught kindergarten for 11 of her 14 years, and is passionate about instilling a love for learning in young students; and Nikki Cowling, also from Clyde Hill Elementary, who has 17 years of experience teaching 3rd and 4th grade. Two educators are from Seattle Public Schools and have a combined 30 years in teaching. 

These educators were selected for the program’s 2024 cohort through a highly competitive process based on their outstanding expertise in computer science and steadfast commitment to providing equitable access to computer science education.  

The Ambassador program is a core part of Amazon's global effort to increase access to computer science learning, especially for groups underrepresented in tech fields. Additionally, each year, Amazon Future Engineer awards hundreds of students with four-year college scholarships up to $40,000 and paid internships at Amazon. The program also develops customized curricula and provides virtual resources like career tours that expose students to real-world technology jobs. 

About Amazon Future Engineer 

Amazon Future Engineer, Amazon’s global philanthropic computer science education initiative, aims to increase student access to computer science education. The program funds high-quality computer science curriculum and educator professional learning to help school districts implement sustainable K–12 computer science initiatives. As part of this effort, Amazon funds the development of customized curriculum that accounts for the unique cultural perspectives, interests, and experiences including those of Black, Latino, Native American (BLNA) students. Each year Amazon Future Engineer awards hundreds of students with four-year, up to $40,000 scholarships and paid industry internships to promote diversity and inclusion in the field. In addition to its Scholarship program, Amazon Future Engineer offers virtual career tours and project-based learning modules that bring role models to classrooms to help students explore computer science through real-world experiences.  

The Bellevue School District, with over 18,000 students and 30 schools, is a diverse and dynamic district in East King County, Washington. Its mission is "To serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally through a rigorous and relevant education that is innovative and individualized. As a learning community that values one another's humanity, we provide courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students."  

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