About Me

RELATED EXPERIENCE

York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program

YCCOSP Saturday STEM Mathematics Instructor Fall 2016 – Spring 2019

Collaborated with the STEM team to create engaging learning explorations for the YCCOSP High School participants.

York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program

YCCOSP Summer Jump-Start Mathematics Instructor Summer 2016 – Summer 2021

Developed curriculum and syllabus for summer course using project-based learning to develop students’ mathematical backgrounds for improved SAT and college opportunities.

Esports General Manager

Esports League and Video Game Club Adviser 2007 – 2021

Created an extra-curricular event for students after school with co-workers.  During the Fall of 2019, we adopted and adapted the North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) organization and curriculum to expand the learning and competition experiences for students.

“Geo-Blogging”

Founder and Editor March 2017 – Present

Developed an online blog at  https://ycsgibsonblog.blogspot.com/ to showcase my teaching style, use of technology in the classroom, and student projects.

IT Specialist Internship

Spring Grove Area School District Sept 2019 – Dec 2019

Collaborated with and shadowed a mentor in the Instructional Technology field.  My experience included observing classrooms, creating a technology curriculum, training teachers to use technology, and adapting acceptable use policies to include Esports programs in the high school.

Director of Secondary Services and Partnerships

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology January 2022 – July 2024

Collaborated with the Secondary Schools Team and oversaw the development of dual enrollment partnerships with school districts.  Created professional development opportunities for educators who taught college in the high school courses. Initiated and collaborated on writing and implementing state and federal grants for workforce certification courses.

Esports Mentor

Emerald Esports April 2023 – May 2023

Met with and mentored two students who were matched with me on their leadership skills, developing esports within their schools, and general gaming to learn concepts.

2024 Remake Learning Day Ambassador

Remake Learning Days April 2024 – May 2024

Created promotional social media posts for curated events in STEM learning. Attended events, and then wrote reviews of the events to increase awareness of remake learning days.

South Dakota’s 2024 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Peer Reviewer

Center for Schools and Communities April 2024

Reviewed and scored grants for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) in South Dakota.

PUBLICATIONS

Guest Editorial May 2019

“Celebrate the Successes of York City Students”, York Daily Record

Perspective Editorial July 2020

Gibson, Alexander. “Computationally Thinking: Building a Computer Science Program.” SchoolRubric, School Rubric, 13 July 2020, www.schoolrubric.com/computationally-thinking-building-a-computer-science-program/.

ISTE 20 LIVE Poster Presentation December 2020

“How to Start an Esports Club!”, NASEF Fellow Poster Presentation

Chapter Author June 2021

Harvey, Miles, et al. “Urban Education Esports for Equity and Access: A Case Study.” Esports Research and Its Integration in Education, IGI Global, Hershey, PA, 2021, pp. 30–48.

Guest Editorial July 2021

Gibson, Alexander. “How to Establish International Collaboration With Esports.” eSchool News, eSchool News, 29, July 2021, https://www.eschoolnews.com/2021/08/13/how-to-establish-international-collaboration-with-esports/.

PRESENTATIONS

Esports and Education Virtual Conference & Expo December 2021

“Education through Esports” – Panelist

PETE&C Presenter February 2022

“Beyond Competition” – Presentation

ISTE LIve 23 Presenter June 2023

“Esports Connections for College and Career Readiness” – Presenter

“Growing a Global Scholastic Esports Community” – Panelist

“Harness the Power of Esports” – Main Stage Panelist

Esports Summit Presenter December 2023

“High School Scholastic Esports” – Panelist

PETE&C Presenter February 2024

“Esports Connections for College and Career Readiness” – Presenter

PACTA Presenter February 2024

“CTE Pathways with Dual Enrollment” – Presenter

AWARDS

Distributed Leadership Team Member 2016 – 2020

Online and Blended Learning Instruction Sept 2018 – Oct 2018

Learning Technologies Specialist June 2017

Nearpod Certified Educator May 2019

Flocabulary Certified Educator May 2020

Edpuzzle Certified Educator Sept 2020

ISTE 2020 Live Poster Presenter Dec 2020

William Penn Teacher of the Year June 2021

PSAYDN Outstanding Quality Afterschool Champion December 2021

LANGUAGES

English – native language

Spanish – speak, read, and write with basic competence

MEMBERSHIPS

Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology (PAECT)

Technology Center Education Association (TCEA)

Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA+)

National Society of High School Scholars Educator (NSHSS)

2020 PA STEM Ambassador through PSADYN

20-21 NASEF Fellow

21-22 NASEF Mentor

22-23 NASEF Community Leader

2020-Present Video Game Clubs of America Board Member

2021-Present BEAST Iniative Gaming Board Member

2024 Remake Learning Day Ambassador