My name is Scott Amdahl. I was born and raised in Minnesota (go Vikings--sorry Cowboys fans), spent 9 years in the military, and arrived in the RGV as a Teach For America teacher in 1998. In my 10 years in the RGV I have taught 5th grade, HS Technology Applications, and served as the Technology Director for IDEA Academy for 4 years. I am currently the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Weslaco ISD. I plan to stay in Weslaco for many years and hopefully retire there.

I am married and have 3 children: Jorge (stepson), Graciela, and Andrew. Andrew was born this year on my birthday during  hurricane Dolly. He was a bit on the small side though--only 12lbs and 1 oz. I look forward to working with all of you in our courses.

Scott

Hey Hey,

My name is Rogelio Ramos but you can all me Roy, Roger or really what you feel comfortable with.  I have lived in Donna, TX most of my life.  This will be my 4^th year teaching middle school math at AP Solis Middle School in Donna. I am going for the MTT certification which I hope to finish within the year. Depending how this goes and my finances allow I will pursue the Med as well. My goal is to move into Instructional Technology.

My name is Veronica Baca and this will be my 8th class within the Ed. Tech. Program.  I'm hoping I can graduate this Spring 09 and use my experience towards my next job.  I live in Harlingen, Tx. and am currently working at Sharyland ISD as a physical educator and tech rep. for my school.  My goal is to complete my Ed. Tech. Degree and begin my Administrative Degree and finally seek employment within my graduate degrees.  I've enjoyed all the Ed. Tech so far and am looking forward to this semester. 

Salutations! My name is Aida Cantu. I am currently employed with Donna ISD and teach 3rd grade at Stainke Elem. This will be my 5th year teaching. I was the Electronic Officer at a local bank for 10 years and would like to incorporate more technology in the classroom. My goal is to design and interactive website for ELL's.

I have been married for 5 years and have a very handsome son, Roel Maximo. We currently live in Edinburg. 

I am looking forward to working with all of you!

 Howdy!!!  My name is Linda Garza and I am currently residing in San Marcos, Tx.  My work experience includes seven years as a classroom teacher (all of them in 5th grade- 4 in Brownsville ISD and then 3 up here in Hays CISD).   This school year I have begun my new job as an Instructional Technologist with the district.  It's ideal that the campus I've been assigned to is opening its doors for the first time this Fall as well.  I am three courses away from finishing my master's in Educational Technology. 

Hello everyone (again)! Yes, I am using the same picture I have for the past six classes (and 6340). It was from when I first started teaching. You don't want to see the gray hair I have now. My name is Liza Moreno, and I am from Laredo, Texas. I recently changed teaching positions. I was with Laredo ISD, teaching seventh grade Language Arts. Now I am with UISD teaching sixth grade English. My goal is to eventually acquire a position at the main office as a technology coordinator or anything related to instructional technology. Wish me luck! (Just to add some more info: born in Nuevo Laredo, Mex., briefly lived with nuns (children's home), learned English in Fort Worth, graduated from UT Austin with Bachelor's in Photojournalism, did study abroad in Norwich England, and participated in Work Abroad in London, England.)

  Hi all, my name is Armando Arechiga, and I am fifth grade teacher at Bentsen Elementary in the Sharyland ISD.  I grew up in McAllen (Memorial '82) but lived in Arizona and Colorado for about 18 years. But, wouldn't you know it, what I was out in the world searching for was right here in McAllen.  You see, I met and married my wonderful wife just about a year after I decided to move back to the RGV.  Our family is blessed with two lovely girls, and a baby on the way!  I have been fascinated with all things internet ever since I watched the first images beamed back from mars by the Pathfinder mission.  It's hard to believe that was 1997.  I will be pursuing the MTT certification and am looking to become an instructional technologist.

Hello everyone!  I am Kay Groves and

as a new resident to Texas,  I'm looking forward to the MTT classes for personal reasons as much as professional, as sad as that is.  Beside not knowing anyone in Arlington, I'm also unemployed, as the two professional fields I'm qualified to work in require the Texas seal of approval first!  I have eight year experience as a secondary Business & IT teacher in a  large 6-A school district in Oklahoma City.   I'm also licensed post-secondary (CareerTech), but those positions are targeted for industry professionals who have skills beyond those of an end-user such as myself and most secondary teachers (in Oklahoma).  I'm a little worried about  taking the pedagogy/professional and business ed certification exams again after ten year, so wish me good luck.   

Hello my name is Renato Martinez. 

I am currently the Internet Specialist for Donna High School.  This is my second year at Donna ISD.  I have worked with or around computer since I was about sixteen and I wish I knew everything about computers.  Anyhow, I enjoy working with student and faculty and would like to help our schools in Donna up to speed with the use of technology and that is what brings me to getting my MTT certification.    I would like to continue my education until I get my Phd in Education Technology in order to be able to move up in my district or to be able to teach at the college level. 

I have been happily married to my beatiful wife Melissa and I am a the  Father of 2 cute little girls named Renata and Hazel, they are 3 and 1 years of age respectfully.  The reason I am back in the Valley is due to my wife, I always tell her she brought me back down here when I was trying to get away.  Nonetheless I am glad she got me here as I have not had any better support for my education than that which she has given me and I would also not be in the education field had I not been here.

I have many hobbies which I anxiously wait to do on the weekends, since I am currently taking 4 college courses and I have little time to do them.  However, when I do have some spare time I like to tinker with computers, build robots, build legos ( I am a LEGO Freak), playing video games, especially World of Warcraft, collecting Star Wars and Lord of the Rings props and replicas, and last rebuilding old cars.  My Favorite cars are from the 1940's but to be specific I love 1947 Chevy coupes and 1947 Pontiac Sedans.  I cant wait to get my hands on a second one to rebuild it. 

I know it said a brief bio here, I should mention that my major was originally going to be English and Literature Research.

Good luck to all this semester.  

Renato

Hello everyone!!

My name is Lori Ann Martinez, I am a pre-kindergarten teacher at M.Rivas Elementary for Donna ISD. This is my 9th year teaching pre-kindergarten and loving every moment.  I love to see my students facial expression when we use the smart board in my classroom.  I am married to a wonderful man and have two daughters a 15 year old named Amanda and Lauryn who is 2 years old. I am currently pursuing my MTT certification and hope to finish my Master in Educational Technology. These are my first online course so I hope to do well.........

Good luck and bye

Lori

Hi everyone!!!  My name is Cynthia Z. Manrrique, I am a 6th grade MultiMedia Teacher at Berta Cabaza Middle School, San Benito, Tx.  This will be my third year teaching and loving it!!!  It's a great and awesome experience to teach our young children about the new technology taking place every day.  I was a single mom of three gorgeous boys as I struggled for several years working full time as a secretary and going to school part time.  I finally graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and joined the A-Step to become a teacher.  I have truly been blessed to have finally married my best friend of 12 years this past January.  He is very supportive in my working on my masters degree, and wants me to finish so he can get started on his first college degree.  This is my 2nd class online and already I am anxious to start what my district has similar to Wiki - Moodle.  There are still glitches in the system, but I'm very excited to be a part of setting it up in my classroom.

Look forward to working with all of you and having fun!!!

Hello, my name is Julian Moron.  I live in Edinburg, Texas.  I am a BCIS teacher at Edcouch-Elsa High School (9-12).  I am currently taking classes to get my MTT certification, and hoping to eventually get my Masters in Educational Technology.  I have a business degree in management.  I went back to school at UTPA to get my teaching certification.  I am hoping to get new ideas that I can use in my classroom and share with my students.

http://komodo.utsystem.edu/med/jmoron/edtc6341_julian_intro.ppt

Hi everyone!  My name is Blanca E. Peña, I live in Brownsville, Texas and I work as an Academic Advisor for the School of Education and UTB/TSC.   I provide academic advising to students and assist them in making decisions about their educational and career goals.  I have a bachelor in Applied Technology and have completed the courses for the ACP program (Alternative Certification Program) to teach Technology Applications in EC-12 grade levels.  I hope and pray to start this school year, just pending state board approval.  With this said I am also looking to get my MTT certification to be considered for Instructional Technology Specialist and or Coordinator positions.  I look forward to learning from all of you who are in the teaching field and can hardly wait to be in front of a classroom!

Good luck!!!. 

Well, I guess I forgot to add my information here. I am Janice Butler, your instructor for this course (and probably a few others, too).  The MTT courses are among my favorites to teach because I enjoy working with K-12 educators who are excited about using technology in the classroom.  Before coming to UTB, I was a high school English and journalism teacher for eight years, a middle school counselor for four and a CTE counselor for five years.  While I thoroughly enjoyed working in K-12, I was also ready for a move when I was recruited by Mike Sullivan. It took him more than a few tries to get me to apply - and I am grateful that he persisted because I adore my job at UTB.

I went through the MTT program and took the exams, so I had a good idea about changes that needed to be made and have been tweaking the courses since I got here.  Each year, the students help me to make the courses stronger and more relevant and more fun. My goal is to make the classes as interactive and fun as face-to-face classes can be.

As you can probably tell by my tutorials, I love cats and I have ... too many. But, they really can be quite entertaining when I need to de-stress. Last, but not least, I have one son who is a digital native, an avid WOWer and keeps me on my toes with technology.  I look forward to getting to know each of you and having a great time this semester.

Hello.  My name is Evelia Garcia. I am currently employed by B.I.S.D. and teach 2^nd grade at Vermillion Elementary School.  I had taught 4^th grade for 6 years before this year began.  I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Technology and obtained my teaching certificate through the alternative certification program.  I am a single parent to two daughters that keep me busy.  I am currently pursing a degree in Educational Technology.

http://komodo.utsystem.edu/med/egarcia2/edtc6341/edtc6341_evelia_garcia_intro.ppt