Elementary Technology Teacher of the Year

The 2010-2011 Elementary Technology Teacher of the Year is Brandi Ousley.
Shown are: L-R Rachel Arcaute - Assistant Superintendent Instructional Services, Carmen Garcia - Director Instructional Technology, Brandi Ousley - Elementary Technology Teacher of the Year, Louann Sarachene - Principal Perez Elementary

Ms. Ousley has been a teacher for 7 Years.  She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas.  She has participated in the following technology staff development activities:
Science Loop Writers Software--Curriculum Project, iPod Touch, Electronic Scrapbooking and TechKnowledge.  This year Ms. Ousley participated in the district iPod Touch Pilot.  iPod Touch devices were used in science and math lessons on a weekly basis.  Her students used the internet and iPod Touch Apps to complete research projects.

She believes communication is key when working with students.  In order to tap into this resource she keeps parents informed in the way of newsletters, both hard copy and through her SchoolFusion online classroom.  Her online classroom provides up to date information about up coming events and assignments.

Ms. Ousley’s philosophy regarding technology: “Reaching my kids, that’s my job.  In this fast paced world I have to compete with hand held systems, internet, YouTube, and every other piece of technology out there.  In order for me to be an effective teacher I have to meet my students in their world.  Simply put, I must use technology to educate them.  Using technology allows me to be a part of my student’s world.  By using educational videos, PowerPoint presentations, iPod Touches, Document readers, projectors and the internet I am able to effectively teach the TEKS in an enjoyable way.”
 

Secondary Technology Teacher of the Year

The 2010-2011 Secondary Technology Teacher of the Year is Aisha M Gonzalez.
Shown are: L-R Carmen Garcia - Directory Instructional Technology,  Aisha M. Gonzalez - Secondary Technology Teacher of the Year

Aisha Maria Badiozzamani Gonzalez is a business/technology dual enrollment teacher at McAllen High School.  She has been a teacher for 8 years, all at McAllen ISD.  Mrs. Gonzalez has worked in the Business department for 7 years (1st year at Nikki Rowe High School, and 6 years at McAllen High School) and 1 year as a 3rd grade teacher at Rayburn elementary.  Even as a third grade teacher, she was able to apply technology in her classroom by utilizing Promethean Smart Board & associated programs in her classroom teaching.  She is the only teacher at McHi that is certified/degreed to teach the South Texas College dual enrollment technology classes.  Her students earn a total of 16 technology college credit hours and also graduate in May with a Multimedia Certificate from STC.  These students learn business applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software.  In addition, her students learn about digital publishing software and Internet web page programming (HTML & Dreamweaver) and graphic design (Photoshop CS5).  The certificate provides students with half of the courses needed for an Associate of Applied Science degree at STC.  Thirteen students graduated from STC last year (2010) with their Multimedia certificate and thirty-seven are expected to graduate this year.  The enrollment continues to grow as the word quickly gets out about the benefits of having this certificate.

Mrs. Gonzalez has students who work on the Geek Squad at Best Buy and others that are working with web page designers, designing web pages for local businesses in the area.  She has held the position of Campus Technology Facilitator (CTF) for McAllen High School.  As the CTF, she conducted numerous trainings for campus staff and teachers on topics that included: Making the Grade; Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced levels of Microsoft Office software; and United Streaming.  She also helped with the installation of different programs and peripherals on teacher’s computers throughout the school.  She is currently working on a web page for the McHi counseling department in which parents can access information regarding college applications, financial aid, workshop date and other material.