Summer 2

teaching freshman science at Euless Junior High in HEB ISD for the past 8 years.  I just completed my first semester here at UTB.  I am working towards completing my M.Ed. in Educational Technology and also working to complete an e-learining certificate and MTT certification.   

My name is Morgan Tucker. I am enrolled in EDFR 6300 this semester. I am from San Antonio, Texas but I currently live in the Ft. Worth area.

I received my Bachelors of Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. After graduating I served as a science teacher and athletics coach for Aledo Independent School District. During my time in the district I became a campus training for new technologies. From there my interest in the field of instructional technology took off.  I am now a technology instructional coordinator for Texserve and White Settlement Independent School District. Because I have now found my passion in this field, I am pursing my Masters of Education in Educational Technology at UTB.  

Howdy all,

My first name is David but I prefer to go by my middle, Brook.

I have been teaching 6th grade math for the past ten years or so in Austin.

My wife and I recently had a son, Roman, and he just turned 5 months old.

We have been 1-1 with iPads for 3 years now and I am looking forward to becoming an Instructional Technologist for the middle schools in my district if all goes well.

Hook'em!

Brook

I am Kevin Spurgin and I plan to finish the masters program in Educational Technology summer 2015. I teach Science and lead an instructional team at A+ Academy, a charter School in Southeast Dallas. I work with 7th graders as well as 9th grade Biology students. I also work with all of the middle school teachers on our campus providing resources and instructional coaching. My wife and I have four daughters and one son-in-law. I love going to the gym and whether its lifting or boot camp, I'm happy.

Hello Everyone! My name is Michael and I am from south Texas. I am starting my 10 year of teaching, where did the time go?  I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Management Information Systems, and I am currently a CTE Teacher at the secondary level with experience in teaching various computer courses ranging from Business Information Management (BIM) to Digital Interactive Multimedia (DIM). Furthermore, I hold an extra duty position as an Education Technology Trainer. In addition to this, I work part-time as a computer processor in an Information Technology department at bank.  My wife and I have a 4 year old which keeps us busy. I to watch sports and I like to play video games, which I don’t have the time right now. And of course, I like to spend time with my family.  I look forward to work with everyone.

My name is Kimberly Banda and I have been teaching English 4 at San Benito CISD for the past eight years and will be teaching at another district this school year. At the age of 17 I graduated from high school and started college at the University of Texas at Brownsville in June 2002. I graduated from UTB with a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts in July of 2006 and was hired at San Benito High School three days after graduation. My parents always instilled in me the value of completing my education and continuing with my career. Although it has taken me seven years to begin graduate school, I am completely focused and ready for the challenge. My goal as an educator is not only to be a role model for my students but serve as a mentor in assisting them in their journey of education. I would like to graduate in December 2014 with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on Digital Literacy. It is my dream to be an administrator, director, or Dean of Instruction at a school district. 

Howdy.  I'm Chris.  I currently teach for an organization that runs international schools in 17 countries.  Last school year I was in the Middle East.  Next year I'll be moving to Central Asia.  I look forward to this class.

Hello everyone!  My name is Todd Gruhn and I am a CTE and Science teacher in Sherman, Texas (about 70 miles north of Dallas.)  I currently teach AP Physics C, Engineering Design, and Pre-AP/AP Computer Programming.  My hope is to earn my MTT certification while earning an MS in Computer Science from UTB.  I currently hold a BS in Mathematics and Physics from TAMU-Commerce and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from UT-Arlington.  My wife is also an educator (Pre-K) and we have a 2-year old son.  Ultimately, my goal is to oversee a technology department in K-12 and teach Computer Science or Educational Technology courses part-time at a college or university.

SUMMER 1

My name is Cinthia Sierra and I currently teach English at Rivera High School in Brownsville, TX. I also coach volleyball and basketball, which is amazing since it allows me to develop relationships with the kids that transfer in and out of the classroom. If all goes well, I will be finishing my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading this summer.

I am married. My husband and I met in college and have been together since 2005. We have a beautiful, energetic daughter who will be turning 3 soon.

I look forward to working with everyone this semester!

Hello everyone. My name is Sean Getchell. Although I am not currently teaching in the classroom, I come from a family of teachers, and love to continually learn new skills for my professional toolbox. Currently, I am a Knowledge Manager for a small software development company in Houston, Tx.

I am also on the home stretch of the Educational Technology graduate degree (should graduate this summer), and am looking to transition the skills I learn in this program into developing a corporate Global Learning and Development program with my current employer.

My hobbies include spending time with family, reading, music, and gaming. I look forward to learning with, and from, all of you. Best of luck this semester.  

My name is Lucretia Human. Everyone but my mom  and my husband when he is upset with me, call me Lu.  I am 4 classes away from graduating, that includes the 2 that I am taking this summer. 

I currently teach at Texas State Technical College in Harlingen in the dental hygiene program. I was a practicing dental hygienist for 20 years, then taught high school science for 11 years and then decided to combine my 2 professions. 

I am married and have 3 sons. My oldest is an English teacher in San Benito and my other 2 are in college. The youngest is an agricultural economics major and the other is studying petroleum engineering technology. 

I look forward to working with everyone this semester. 

Hi everyone.  My name is Victoria Vasquez-Gonzalez and am the band director for the Lyford CISD in Lyford, TX.  I've been in the field for 16 years, and although music is in my blood and I really enjoy being around the kids, I'm ready for a transition.  After this summer, I'll be halfway through my Educational Technology degree at UTB.  I should be graduating next summer.

I have the coolest 11 year old son on the planet, who is about to become one of my percussion students next year, and my husband teaches the IT classes at the high school in our district.  

My weekly 20 minutes of personal time is devoted to either reading, gaming with my husband and son (both computer and tabletop--yes, we're geeks!), geocaching, trail running, and DIY home projects.  

I'm looking forward to the semester and collaboration! 

Greetings! I am Natalie Cepeda, and I am from Santa Rosa, TX. I graduated with my BA in English 4th-8th at the University of Texas at Brownsville. I just finished my first year teaching in Harlingen CISD as a 6th grade teacher. It was a great experience. I cannot imagine what else I would be doing with my life. I am pursing my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Digital Literacy. My past time activities include staying fit by playing in leagues (volleyball and softball) with friends and going out dancing. 

Hello everyone.  My name is Cynthia Rios; I am an English Language Arts and Reading middle school teacher in Brownsville. This school year was my first year teaching, and I also started my M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Digital Literacy.  I enjoy reading, playing video games, and spending time with my family.  I look forward to collaborating with everyone this semester.  

Hello, my name is Crystal Lee. I’m currently a 7^th grade Science teacher in Arlington, Texas. I have been teaching for four years and have taught both math and science. My husband and I just celebrated

our 5 year wedding anniversary on May 30^th!  We celebrated in Denver, CO and we had a blast! I’m not really an outdoor person, but we were very adventurous as we explored caves and mountains. Upon completion of this program, my ultimate goal is to train teachers on integrating technology into their curriculum.

My name is Keith Dauphiney and I currently teach American History in Houston, Texas.  I am at the midpoint of the M.Ed. Program for Instructional Technology and I am eager to continue to learn about the opportunities that Instructional Technology courses can add to my education career.  the interest in this course is largely die to the fact that I see education quickly becoming more of a customer based system, whereas students and tax paying parents as well as corporate institutions have a choice I the provider of their lessons; lessons that die to cost constraints and budget issues will become increasingly delivered  through technological and web based media, especially since all classrooms and boardrooms are now required to be global if they are to maintain relevance in their respected fields.  After completion of my M.Ed. in Instructional Technology, I hope to expand into providing lessons and corporate training via media services.