Education

University of South Florida, College of Education, Tampa, FL

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.), Curriculum and Instruction, May 2013
    Department of Special Education
    Dissertation Title: The Perspectives of   Graduate Students with Visual Disabilities: A Heuristic Case Study
    Major Professor: David Allsopp, Ph.D.
  • Master of Education (M. Ed.), Curriculum and Instruction, 2006
    Department of Secondary Education
    Concentration: Instructional Technology
  • Graduate Certificate in Web Design, 2006
    Department of Secondary Education

Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), May 1994
Major: Political Science

Awards/Honors

  • International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Inclusive Learning Network Outstanding Inclusive Educator Award. 2016.
  • Selected as Google in Education Certified Innovator, 2014.
  • Selected as Apple Distinguished Educator, 2009.
  • University of South Florida College of Education Outstanding Latino Educator (OLE) Award, Doctoral.  2008.

Teaching Experience

Co-Instructor, Spring 2014 and Spring 2015
ISTE Inclusive Learning Network. 

Helped develop and co-taught Small Open Online Course (SOOC) for in-service educators focusing on Universal Design for Learning principles and mobile learning with iOS devices.

Affiliate Faculty, Fall 2013
College of Professional Studies, Regis University, Denver, CO. 

Taught graduate-level course, Universal Design for Learning as a Framework for Teaching and Learning.

Adjunct Instructor, Summer and Fall 2012
Department of Special Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Taught Narratives of Exceptionality course for undergraduate students.

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Fall 2009-Spring 2012
Department of Special Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Co-taught seminars for graduate and undergraduate special education students.  Courses included:

  • EEX 7815: Research Seminar for Doctoral Cohort, Spring 2012
  • EEX 4742: Narratives of Exceptionality, Spring 2012
  • EEX 4206: Exceptional Student Education Core Competencies: Enhancing Expertise in Teaching and Instructional Decision-Making, Fall 2011
  • EEX 4909: Exceptional Student Education Core Competencies: Beginning to Teach, Spring 2011

Adjunct Instructor, Summer 2007 and 2008
Teaching Assistant, Spring 2006 to Spring 2008
Department of Secondary Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Facilitated online course on emerging technologies delivered through Blackboard course management system and Elluminate synchronous communication software. Developed course content focusing on new developments in instructional technology, including web 2.0, podcasting and blogging. Nominated for Provost Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Assistant, Spring 2008.

High School Spanish Teacher, 1995-1996
Chestnut Hill Academy, Chestnut Hill, PA

Instructed 9th and 10th grade Spanish. Taught study skills through the Springboard Program for under-represented students. Coached sixth grade baseball and served as advisor to international student and minority student groups.

Professional Experience

Independent Inclusive Learning Consultant, May 2012-Present
Provide professional development and consulting services on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning Principles, assistive technology and mobile learning solutions. Clients have included:

  • Apple, Inc.
  • Healthwise
  • Pinellas County Schools (FL)
  • Florida Inclusion Network
  • Signals Centers (TN)
  • Wayne County Rehabilitation Services (MI)
  • Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FL)

Course Developer and UDL Consultant, Spring 2013-Fall 2013
College of Professional Studies, Regis University, Denver, CO.
Developed graduate-level course for Special Education Department, EDSP 620: Universal Design for Learning as a Framework for Teaching and Learning. Co-developed undergraduate-level course for Elementary Education Department: EDFD 448: Designing Instruction for All Learners. Advised course developers in College of Professional Studies in implementation of Universal Design for Learning principles for new and revised courses.

Online Course Conversion Graduate Assistant, Spring 2009-Fall 2010
Department of Special Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Advised faculty on conversion of face to face courses to online format. Managed delivery of course content through Blackboard content management system. Courses included:

  • EME 6612: Management and Motivation of Exceptional/At Risk Students, Fall 2009 and Fall 2010
  • EME 6732: Consultation and Collaboration in Special Education, Summer 2010 and Fall 2010
  • EME 6245: Transition Programs for Adolescent/Young Adult Exceptional Students, Summer 2010
  • EME 6222: Advanced Psychological Assessment of Exceptional Students, Spring 2010

Technology Integration Specialist, iTeach Lounge
University of South Florida College of Education, Tampa, FL
May 2011-Spring 2013

Provided technology integration support to students enrolled in iTeach Initiative. Conducted technology integration workshops for College of Education faculty and pre-service teachers. Developed tutorials focusing on emerging classroom technologies.

Project Manager, Tech Ease/Tech Ease 4 All
Florida Center for Instructional Technology, Tampa, FL
September 2005-June 2011.

Created more than 100 screencasts and 20 software guides available for download through the Tech Ease websites and on USF on iTunes U. Software guides developed for Tech Ease were selected as supporting documents for the Florida Digital Educator program, a statewide professional development program administered by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology. Several Tech Ease screencasts have appeared on the list of top downloads on iTunes U. Tech Ease 4 All is a collection of assistive technology tutorials for faculty and students created with support from a University of South Florida Technology Fee grant.  Tutorials incorporate universal design for learning (UDL) principles and are available in multiple formats including closed captioned videos, accessible web pages and PDF documents.

Technical Specialist
University of Miami Online High School (formerly Sagemont Virtual School), Weston, FL
Summer 2004

Provided technical support to faculty and students of a virtual high school.  Served as primary contact person for all technology-related contracts of UMOHS. Managed UMOHS web and mail servers and maintained UMOHS course websites.

Technical Specialist
Delsea Regional School District, Franklinville, NJ
December 2001 to August 2003

Supported 600+ systems in a K-12 school environment, including installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of desktop computers, laptops, handheld devices, and networking equipment.   Implemented migration of all users from Windows 95/98 to Windows 2000 and XP.