My name is Martín Perna. I'm in my first semester in the M.Ed-Educational Technology program. I feel privileged and excited to be here! I live in East Austin and am a transplant to Texas. I grew up in Philadelphia and New York, and graduated from New York University in 1996. After that I spent the next twelve years working mostly as a musician travelling constantly around the world. I spent two years teaching at a progressive bilingual charter high school in Brooklyn called El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice. I have also worked with youth outside of school settings doing music, earth architecture, and community gardening projects.

I plan to use my studies here at UTB to work on a cultural-technology-education partnership already in progress called PASSPORT. In addition, I hope to apply educational technologies in environments such as prisons, nursing homes. I believe that educational techonology is a powerful tool to be used to help human beings who possess the desire to learn to overcome those barriers of physical isolation and geography. 

Currently, I am a Bilingual Elementary Teacher in North East ISD located in San Antonio, TX. I have taught for 8 years out of which 4.5 were in Brownsville and 3.5 are where I am today. For the past 2 years, I have been the Webpage Coordinator for my campus and part of the Technology Committee that conducts trainings to the staff. I am very excited to begin my M.Ed. in Educational Technology where I also hope to receive the Master Technology Teacher Certification. I am married and have a year and a half old, beautiful baby boy. I want to learn as much as I can from my classmates and hopefully I'll be able to share what little I do know about technology.

My name is Emily Moore, and this is my second semester in the M.Ed. EdTech degree program at UTB.  I earned my undergrad degree from Arizona State (Business/CIS) about 15 years ago, after which I entered the workforce as a programmer (OOP, mainly).  Got into software marketing, then hopped into freelance writing.  I've written a bunch of how-to books on Internet-related topics, such as Java, JavaScript, XML, etc., plus some more consumer-oriented titles like PowerPoint and Facebook.

I'm excited to be in this program--and this class--because for me, going from writing how-to books to designing and delivering interactive curricula is a natural fit.  I've always been fascinated by usability, and have approached it from the software "users'" point of view--but never from a formal educational perspective.

On a personal note, I have a 4-year-old daughter (and working with her is definitely fueling my interest in education!) and am a knitting fanatic.

I'm looking forward to this class and to "meeting" y'all in Wimba.

My name is Kelly Escobar. This is my first semester in the M. Ed. Educational Technology program at UTB. I took my first distance education course in 1997 in which I used video taped lectures and then went to the campus to take tests. With the help of the internet distance education has changed exponentially since then and it is exciting to be a part of it.

I have an associate's in computer science and a bachelor's in political science. I have owned a computer repair company for several years and recently started a nonprofit corporation, Computer Revitalization Group, www.computerrevitalizationgroup.org

I plan to use this degree to create programs within my nonprofit and also to expand my career opportunities within school districts.

I am married and have two beautiful daughters, 11 and 5 months. I have been homeschooling my 11 year old for the past three years and really enjoy it.

I look forward to getting to know everyone and being able to learn from each other. 

Greetings from West Texas!  My name is Stephanie Johnson.

I am a chemist/dance teacher-turned tech aficionado.  I earned my undergrad degree almost ten years ago in Chemistry, but I never used it a day in my life.  Instead, I teach elementary school dance in Lubbock, Texas.  And due to my inability to ever stay in the same place for long (metaphorically speaking), I developed a knack and a love for technology along the way, which I hope to build upon in earning my M.Ed. (EdTech) and Master Technology Teacher certification.  I am hesitant to announce the direction in which I wish to proceed beyond that, as the course of my life remains completely unpredictable.  At present, I envision combining my future tech expertise with the arts, somehow developing stronger resources for fine arts educators at all levels, but true to form, I remain open to any and all possibilities.

On a personal note, I am a mother-to-be, wife to an amazing U.S. military veteran, and I ran five marathons in one year just see if I could do it (I’d never run a day in my life before I began training).  This just proves that anyone can accomplish anything they set their mind to.

Have a great semester, everyone, and I look forward to getting acquainted! 

My name is Jesse Candanoza.  I am currently employed as an office administrator for a medium sized law firm here in Brownsville.  Before that I was a Systems & Applications Specialist for the University of Texas - Houston.   I am a veteran of the United States Air Force where I was first trained in all facets of computer systems and telecommunication operations.

Professionally I have been in my career field of Information Systems Management for about twenty years in the capacity of network manager, information systems director, computer systems analyst, computer programmer, systems technician etc. I am currently responsible for all facets of computer operations to include network operations, security, distance education, web and interactive television courses, telephones, network copiers, and network printers, finance department operations and human resources department. 

My long term academic objectives are to eventually do research in a doctoral program related to telecommunications or computer science.  As it relates to my short term educational plans, I would like to work towards a master’s degree in preparation for further educational and professional endeavors, I think I would enjoy teaching computer science using online courses. 

I find the fields of wireless networks, microwave, wide area networks, and network security especially interesting. 

Looking forward to the class and meeting/hearing everyone online.

.   Recently I fed 1000 children.  Two weeks ago we (CRG) donated a 32 inch monitor to UTPA’s Office for Persons with Disabilities to be used by students. I have volunteered with Edinburg Parks and Recreation for the past 3 years.  I have also volunteered with Casa fixing computers and some minor web work.  I volunteered with Abriendo Puertas Opening Doors, Edinburg World Birding Center, Mujeres Unidas Women Together, Avance, Edinburg Public Library and other nonprofits.  I was a Graduate Senator for two years at UTPA where I served students in many areas. I have taught students mixed martial arts for many years. I have taught many students how to use, maintain, and repair computers and thankfully the students have taught me in more ways than one.  My students continue to be a source of great pride for me.  This past year I did an internship at PSJA as the school social worker when it ended I stayed on as a volunteer.  I did clinical social work and Psychotherapy with many families.  I loved the school district so much I was there five days a week.  It seems important to mention my service to our great country.   The US Army gave many things over the course of my service of which my favorite is The National Service Ribbon.   I like to be useful. 

Some say I have been in school too long as I have degrees in Computer Science, Psychology and most recently a Masters in Social Work.  Yet for me it is nowhere near enough.  Although, come to think of it I may need to stop some day when the body gives out.  Lol

My hobbies are running(which I do a lot), weight lifting,  reading, martial arts, rock climbing, and playing World of Warcraft.  Lucky for me my daughter likes the same things I do so we hang out a lot. 

I am married and have two daughters.  My family is awesome.  My girls are smart and beautiful. 

Do your best every day because you can’t go back. 

Hello, my name is Margo Salas and this is my second semester in the M.Ed Technology Program. I received a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from UTB. I work at the University of Texas at Brownsville in the Financial Aid Office as a Systems Analyst. My goal is to learn how to implement technology in the schools and keep up with the technology.