Hi, my name is Rosa Garcia, this course will be my third online course on my road to my masters degree. I am currently a second grade teacher at Valley View Elementary in Pharr, TX. I am preparing my students for the TAKS (I know, they are barely in second). Well the idea is that, by moving with my students to third grade next school year it will be an easier transition for both the teacher and the students. Another advantage is that we will already know what TEKs to target. (less stress!) I am happily married to the gentleman beside me in the picture. We do not have any kids, yet! (Well we have a Chihuahua, Belle, but I guess that does not count.)

Hi, my name is Melissa Palestro. This is my first class in the Educational Technology program and my first online course. I’m currently a managing editor for an editorial service in Poughkeepsie, New York. I edit math and science assessments and ancillaries. My company just purchased a smartboard and I can’t wait to learn how to use it! I have a BA in biology and an MST in elementary education. I’ve been in educational publishing for 10 years. One of my first projects as a math editor was editing items for the TAAS. I’ve worked for TASA, The Princeton Review, and Scholastic. I’ve worked on projects for McGraw-Hill, Harcourt, McDougal, Triumph Learning, and materials for New Leaders for New Schools. I took a year off from publishing before my first child was born and taught pre-first. I’d like to return to the classroom when my children are in school full time. I have three children. My daughter is five and my sons are 2.5.

Hello! My name is Lisa Hadlock. I have been blessed with two daughters who have one child each. This picture is of my grandchildren and me.  My family is the greatest joy of my life.

I am taking EDTC 6320 because my home campus, UTT, has no course available this semester to fill a needed requirement for completing my online MS in Technology/Human Resource and Development degree.  Since I will graduate in May, this is the twelfth online class I've taken. Everything in this class is new to me, however, because we used simple blackboard tools in all of my other classes.

I work for the Air Force, in civil service, in the training field.  For a few years I taught technical classes to graduates of basic training and trained Air Force instructors in technical writing.  Now I work in strategic training metrics at the training headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base.

Howdy y’all. My name is Mary Montgomery. I am in the Early Childhood Education program, and this happens to be my last semester. I am a certified teacher, however, I have not found a full time position as of yet. I am a substitute teacher for the Harlingen CISD, this way I can keep up my skills as a teacher. I am also an instructor and a tax prepare at H and R Block. I am looking forward to this semester, and I hope you all have a good one.

Hello!  My name is Martina Villarreal and this is my first semester in the Educational Technology program.  I am excited about learning since most of this is new to me.  I graduated last month from UTB and hope to take my teacher certification exams soon.  Currently, I am employed as a facilitator with Cameron Workforce Solutions where I am responsible for adult classes.  I look forward to the class and hope to learn a lot.  I considered myself "compute literate" but have realized that I am  just a novice!