I have been teaching at UTB for four years and really enjoy the Master Technology Teachers classes because we have lots of fun sharing ideas and learning from each other.  Work does not give me much unencumbered time, but the free time I do have I really like to travel to see different parts of the world.   I look forward to getting to know each of you this summer.

Rosemary-

Brownsville, Texas has been my home for three years. I am originally from West Virginia.  My husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.  We have taught in schools in WV, MI, NC, TX, and the Dominican Republic.  I have been in the teaching profession for twelve years. Currently, I serve as the librarian at First Baptist School.  Three of my four children will be students at UTB in the fall. This is my final class in the Reading Specialist program at UTB. I have made many friends, learned effective teaching strategies, and have thoroughly enjoyed my studies at UTB. At 44, I am a technology immigrant.  This class will be a fun challenge for me.

Hello Everyone,

My name is Mike Rangel. I am 33 years old and I live in Weslaco, TX. I currently work for Harlingen CISD as a Programmer/Systems Analyst. I have a bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Texas Pan-American. I have a beautiful wife and a handsome 19 month old son.  This will be my third semester in the Ed Tech Program.

My name is Kari Knisely.  I am 30 years old and a middle school math teacher at Donna ISD.  I am from Indiana, but lived in San Diego for 2 years, and have lived here for 2 years now.  I have my Bachelors Degree in Business Management from IU, worked in several sales, operations and admin positions until I came to Edinburg where I became a teacher and absolutely love it.  I am excited for the MTT Program as well as a Masters Degree in Technology Education.  I enjoy staying active and learning about health.  Beach, lake, or pool time are necessities in my life and I enjoy traveling when able.

 Sorry I couldn't find a less serious picture, folks - I'll have to work on that. 

I have a background as a teacher and school librarian, and I was able to work in international schools for a while.  I currently work for the TEA in their Ed Tech division, and I'm about halfway through the UTB program.

I started the UTB program a while back, while working overseas, so it's nice to be able to log-on in roughly the same time zone.

I'm married with two small kids that will no doubt be interrupting class webinars.  For other fun, I put on musical comedies here in Austin.  My most recent show site is here www.insomnia.com

 Hi all,

My name is Billy Edgerton, even though sometimes William Edgerton shows up.  I am thirty-seven years old and have been teaching for ten years.  I have taught 7^th grade mathematics and Algebra I.  I also have taught 6^th - 8^th grade science and I am currently teaching technology classes in grades 9 – 12.  My wife and I live in Three Rivers, which is between Corpus Christi and San Antonio.  We have no children but one spoiled cat which we have had all ten years we have been married.  I am working on the masters in ed tech along with the certificates to hopefully have the credentials to become a tech director for a school district.

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jesus Alfaro Jr. and I currently work with the Harlingen school district.  I’ve work with HCISD for thirteen year now as a programmer, system analyst, and now as an evaluator of student data.   I’ve processed data using Microsoft SQL and various report generators.

My wife has put with me for 17 years now and we’ve been blessed with three great kids. 

I'm looking forward to the class.

Hello…

My name is Aglhaen Nieto-Cruz.  I have been blessed with twin boys who will be turning six years old shortly.  They are amazing and the center of my life. They are also wonderful teachers…

In addition to learning about motherhood - I am pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Technology. I have greatly enjoyed all the courses I have completed in this field. So far - I have been able to apply newly gained skills to better assist not only my students but my colleagues. My students are high school students from Brownsville and Rio Hondo High Schools and enrolled in the UTB/TSC Classic Upward Bound Program.  I have worked with students at UTB/TSC forever and loved every minute of it.  Looking forward to a great summer.      

Hello to all!  My name is Olga Garcia.  I live and work in Harlingen, Texas.  I'm a proud mother of three beautiful children and love spending quality time with them.  I've been blessed to be married for 23 years to a wonderful guy named Sam Garcia.

Currently, I work at the Harlingen School District as the Coordinator for PEIMS/Application Support.  My responsibilities include submitting student, staff, and district data to the State of Texas several times a year.  In addition, I help maintain and support the district's computer application system.

I look forward to this summer course and getting to know my classmates.   

Hello everyone!

My name is Blanca E. Pena, I live in Brownsville, Texas with my 15 year old son Jay Dee, my 28 year daughter Monica and my 2 grandkids, Miguel and K’Lynda.  I started teaching 2 years ago at James Pace High Schoolas a Web Design Teacher which I really enjoy doing.  I am also IT Support and the Software specialist for the school.  Basically what that means is that I learn the programs the school purchases and I turn around and teach the teacher how to use the program and implement it into their daily curriculum.  I am a returning student to the MTT program and I look forward to working with all of you.  I am very excited to be back!  

From: Raul Gracia

Hello all,

My current profession as an educator in BISD is very fulfilling.  I have the privilege of providing for our students in multiple ways.  By multiple ways I refer to serving my school and students as a CTE teacher, coach and Technology Support Person.  My ultimate satisfaction is to provide each and every child with the example and guidance they need in order for them to successfully follow their chosen path.

My educational career has always brought me back to my roots.  I have always had a knack for technology oriented subjects and that is the reason for my successful pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Brownsville.  I decided to use my background in computers to help our children make a difference in an ever growing field.  I am now ready to grow a little more professionally and this is why I have taken on the challenge of acquiring a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology with MTT certification.

I am a school librarian at A. M. Ochoa Elementary in Donna, Texas where I serve students from PK to 5^th grade. In my 15 years in the education profession, I have taught students from elementary to middle school levels focusing in bilingual and ESL education. I live in Weslaco, Texas where I used to teach before becoming a librarian.  In December of 2009, I finished my Masters in Library Information Science from Texas Woman’s University. I guess I am back at taking classes again. I am looking forward to it and learning a lot about technology. My 2 daughters are not thrilled about it. They thought mom would be all to themselves for the summer!

Hello, classmates! My name is Jessica Pettyjohn and I am 28 years old. I am currently a high school Career and Technology Education teacher for Harker Heights High School in the Killeen Independent School District. I have had a variety of teaching experiences that range from middle school BCIS, Career Investigations, and Modular Technology to high school Communication Graphics, also known as Graphic Design. I even spent two years as a Communication Applications (public speaking) teacher and UIL Speech and Debate Coach.

My husband and I live in Harker Heights, Texas which is right next to Killeen and Fort Hood. I am an Army brat and an Army wife. I'm very proud of my husband who just returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq. We're still newlyweds and have fun watching Longhorn football, riding our motorcycle, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

I am very blessed with a family that fully supports my quest to further my own education. I look forward to getting to know and learning from everyone else in my course.  

Hello everyone! My name is Juan F. Felix. I'm 56 years old  and have been teaching for 25 years.  I am a Science Lab teacher at Salinas Elementary.  I got hooked on technology when the TRS, COMODORE AND APPLE computers came out. Remember  the 4.5 floppies?  I was fortunate to be selected to teach  in a computer lab setting which has given me access to the newest trends in technology. During my career I've taught math, reading, writing and science,  all in a lab setting. Joining the MTT program is exciting to me as I'm sure it is for you, my classmates. 

 A little bit about my  interests: I'm a musician and artist. I play guitar, bass, a little piano and drums. I have been a member of the church choir for 38 years, in appreciation for His blessings. As as artist, I work with oil on canvas and do a lot of sketching. I also have a website for my students. You are wecome to take a look at it  and give me feed back -  negative or positive I welcome all comments. I have two beautiful children, John and Ashley, the reasons for  the color of my hair!(just kidding)

http://www.jfscience.net

Yvette Perez Olvera

Hello fellow classmates and colleagues!  I am extremely excited about this class and admit being a little nervous about it since I will not be able to actively participate with each of you in our live sessions on Tuesday evenings.  I am not a naturally technologically saavy person; I honestly force myself to learn and try to understand because I feel that I need to be able to keep up with my students and my five-year old son.  I genuinely believe that we must teach differently in this day and age of advancing technology and we must challenge ourselves to continue to evolve with the same speed of improving technology as educators.  I recently graduated in May 2009 and I am certified to teach Early Childhood through 4th Grade as a Bilingual Generalist and I opted to pursue my Master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction with an Emphasis in Science while assisting Dr. Reynaldo Ramirez, Jr. (Dept. Chair in Teaching, Learning & Innovation) as a Project Assistant for a grant program called the "Mathematics, Science and Technology Teacher Preparation Academy".  Working with Dr. Ramirez and many of the other wonderful professors (Dr. Butler and Dr. Sullivan included) in our department has given me both  knowledge and an insight that I am extremely grateful for and plan to take to my classrom once I graduate in Fall 2011. I look forward to this class and I look forward to getting to know each of you as much as possible.  I have really enjoyed reading your bios and matching your faces with your names--thanks for sharing!