AWARDS AND HONORS

2014 HEB Excellence in Education "Rising Star" Recipient
2014 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Recipient
2014 University of Texas - RGV Outstanding Teacher of the Year
2015 ATPE Educator of the Year
2015 RGVSA Teacher Honoree
2015 Texas Academy of Science - Outstanding Texas Educator
Association of Texas Professional Educators Local Vice President/Campus Representative
Duke University Certificate of Merit
Duke University Certificate of Participation
EcoRise Teacher Ambassador
Golden Key International Honor Society
Joan & Bruce Reed Endowment Scholarship Masters Recipient
Laura Bush Learning Landscapes STEM Grant Recipient
MAVEN Teacher Ambassador Grant (Mars Atmospheric and Volatile Evolution)
NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate in STEM Education
NASA Summer of Innovation Grant (2010, 2011, 2013)
NASA Project 3D View Grant
National Macy's Scholar
National Honor Society
Naval Reserves Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship Recipient
Our Lady of the Lake University Scholarship Recipient
People to People Student Ambassador
PSJA ISD Foundation Grant (2013 - 2018)
Presidential Academic Fitness Award
RGV Tri-City Grant (2010 - 2013)
Rio Grande Valley Science Association Board Member
Space Education Educator Crew Member
Space Foundation Teacher Liason
Space X Grant
Texas Education Agency Honor - 2014 Texas State Finalist (Elementary Science) PAEMST
Texas Scholar
Texas Senate Proclamation No. 838
TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching Nominee (3 years)
Tranquility Scholarship for the Space Exploration Educators Conference
University of Texas - Pan American Prosthetics/Orthotics Scholarship Recipient (2 years)
Who's Who Among American High School Students (2 years)

EDUCATION

The NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project in STEM Education
May 2011
NASA/Teachers College - Columbia University

Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling
May 2011
The University of Texas - Pan American

Bachelors in Rehabilitative Services with Concentration in Addiction Studies
May 2008
The University of Texas - Pan American

Certified Generalist EC-4
Certified Special Education EC-12
Certified Science 4-8

EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

2010 Global Education Conference
21st Annual RGVSA Science Conference
22nd Annual RGVSA Science Conference
30th Annual RGVSA Science Conference
35th Space Foundation Space Symposium
Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (2009 - 2017)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
LiftOff Summer Institute 2009: Celestial Travelers
LiftOff Summer Institute 2010: Design A Space Mission
LiftOff Summer Institute 2013: Rockets to Robots
Lower Rio Grande Valley Learning Landscapes (LRGV LL) Collaborative
MAVEN (Mars Atmospheric and Volatile Evolution) Teacher Educator Ambassador Program
Mu Alpha Theta
NASA Endeavor Science Teaching Certificate Project
NASA Network of States Trainer of Trainers Institute (2017 - 2018)
NASA Project 3D View
NASA Space Center U - Survival Training
Phi Kappa Phi
Project E³: Expanding Energy Education Facilitators Conference (2017 - 2018)
Project P.a.C.E.
Region One Technology Conference (2014 - 2018)
Region One Texas Science Collaborative
Smithsonian Online Conference: Abraham Lincoln
Smithsonian Online Conference: Apollo Space Program
Smithsonian Online Conference: Climate Change
Smithsonian Online Conference: Problem Solving
Smithsonian SHOUT Online Conference
Smithsonian Teacher Leadership Summit: Attracting, Retaining, and Developing a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce
South Texas College Student Leadership Academy
Space Exploration Educators Conference (2017 - 2018)
TCEA (2012, 2014, 2016 - 2017)
Texas Classroom Teachers Association
Texas Regional Collaborative for Science
The ROME (Robotics, Ocean, Microgravity Explorers) Challenge
The Student Spaceflight Experiment Program (5 missions)
UNICEF Kids Power Band Team

EXPERIENCE

Senior Outreach Program Coordinator
Center for Space Research/Texas Space Grant Consortium

Employment responsibilities include the following: Work as part of a collaborative team to plan, facilitate, and implement educator professional learning opportunities for K-12 educators. Utilize a variety of delivery and dissemination strategies to include in-person and virtual delivery. Work with the outreach staff for Texas Space Grant Consortium, the national space grant network of external partners, and education community to design, plan, and facilitate profession learning experiences. Develop products, tools, and resources for teachers, students and the general community to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Represent TSGC while attending and presenting at conferences, meetings, and events. Manage timelines and logistics to accomplish assigned projects, goals, details, and programs. Collaborate and communicate with members of the TSGC team. Participate in processes and activities designed to establish an organizational culture that supports learning, collaboration, and responsibility to enhance professional relationships, job satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness.

Instructor - Science/Technology Lab
Cesar Chavez Elementary

Employment responsibilities include the following: establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among the students for whom I am responsible. Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities, adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests. Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects as well as communicate the lesson objectives of scientific topics to students. Assign and grade class work and homework, read books to entire class or small groups, and also prepare, administer, and grade assignments and tests which evaluate students' progress. Prepare, implement, and assess hands-on Science lab experiments.

Science Tutor
The University of Texas - Pan American

Employment responsibilities included the following: adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests. Implement discussions and demonstrations in one or more subjects. Plan and conduct activities for instructional, demonstration, and work times which provide students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. Observe and evaluate students' performance. Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities, and also help students correct their homework in order to gain a thorough understanding of complex concepts in the various scientific disciplines.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

NASA Project 3D-View Letter of Implementation
Northside Healthcare High School (6)
TMA Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching (3)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

ABC de la Ciencias K-12 Engineering Competition
Chess Club
PSJA ISD Science/Technology Lab Curriculum Writer
Robotics Club
Student Leadership Academy
Student Space Flight Experiment (SSEP) Community Art Design Program
Walk for Cancer
Zero Robotics