Welcome. Since you are here, I thought I'd share some of the things I do on daily bases, and also some background. As an Instructional Technology and Design Specialist at Nova Southeastern University, my activities focus on improving the teaching and learning process through Experiential Learning activities that take students beyond the lecture hall and into immersive real-world experiences. I work mainly with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to make sure that their courses reflect best practices in adult learning and feature student-centered activities, problem-based learning, and implementation of multimedia in everyday instruction.
I have been teaching for about 25 years, in different settings, different institutions, and different countries. During all those years, I have had adult students from various age groups and from many different countries. For most of those years I worked with future educators and current practitioners, contributing to organizational change to maximize the use of instructional technology in graduate and undergraduate level courses.
The picture on the left is one that always brings back memories of a special time. Although time has played its tricks and I haven't looked like that for some time now, it reminds me of a time when, at any random day, and for no particular reason, I got to the classroom and found flowers, food, cakes, and/or presents on my desk. The students responsible for such gestures happened to be working adults of very low income, so purchasing those goods meant a big effort. Needless to say, their gratitude was worth millions. I will never forget the difference they made in my life. They truly showed me the depth and the power of the concept of gratitude. Wherever they are, I hope they know how much they have taught me!
Luckily, during my teaching years, I used to bring my photo camera to the classroom -way before cell phones had photo cameras-, so here I am able to share pictures with many of my students, on the "Work & Play" tab of this website.
I have been teaching for about 25 years, in different settings, different institutions, and different countries. During all those years, I have had adult students from various age groups and from many different countries. For most of those years I worked with future educators and current practitioners, contributing to organizational change to maximize the use of instructional technology in graduate and undergraduate level courses.
The picture on the left is one that always brings back memories of a special time. Although time has played its tricks and I haven't looked like that for some time now, it reminds me of a time when, at any random day, and for no particular reason, I got to the classroom and found flowers, food, cakes, and/or presents on my desk. The students responsible for such gestures happened to be working adults of very low income, so purchasing those goods meant a big effort. Needless to say, their gratitude was worth millions. I will never forget the difference they made in my life. They truly showed me the depth and the power of the concept of gratitude. Wherever they are, I hope they know how much they have taught me!
Luckily, during my teaching years, I used to bring my photo camera to the classroom -way before cell phones had photo cameras-, so here I am able to share pictures with many of my students, on the "Work & Play" tab of this website.
Since this website allows me to share much more than my resume does, I want to point out that the picture on the right (that surreal moment when they hooded me), had once seemed virtually impossible. Yet, I look at that picture and I realize it did happen.
During all those years I was teaching, I was also a student. Throughout each semester, I fought that discouraging inner voice that tried to convince me that I would never graduate. That the picture I am looking at as I write these words would never exist. Luckily, I decided to ignore "her" and kept going anyway... and, eventually, I did graduate. The secret? Some serious support from my loved ones, my professors, my colleagues. And a stubborn belief in the mantra "No matter how fast or slow you are going: it is still better than standing still". I am not sure who said it, but it kept me going. 
I hold a doctoral degree in Education with a concentration in IDT- Instructional Design & Technology- from the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education of Nova Southeastern University. My dissertation topic was "Faculty and Student Perceptions of Teaching Presence in Distance Education Courses: A Mixed Methods Examination". Although the study was honored with the Dr. Charles L. Faires Dissertation of Distinction Award, most importantly, I was honored with the trust and selflessness of the participants (who volunteered their time) and my incredible committee members and colleagues (who were fundamental in this project). Hopefully, the results of this study will contribute to help gain a deeper insight into the unique world of distance learning. By the way, before all that, I had obtained a Master’s degree in Education -Instructional Technology- from American Intercontinental University, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Florida International University. Finally, since learning is a life-long journey, I am currently pursuing national certification in Experiential Education with the National Society of Experiential Education (NSEE) workshops. As per NSU President George Hanbury’s initiative to embed experiential education in the undergraduate experience, Provost Ralph Rogers is sponsoring an experiential education academy for faculty and professional staff. Workshops include “Fundamentals of Experiential Learning”, “Assessment in Experiential Learning”, “Reflection: Making the Experiences Educational”, and more. 
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Before joining Nova Southeastern University, I served as the Title V Teacher Education Specialist for Broward College in Florida. As a member of the Academic Excellence Committee, I contributed to the creation of the Adjunct Institute with the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Also, as a Service Learning Fellow, I designed curriculum and facilitated faculty sessions with emphasis on student-centered learning and infusion of technology into the learning experience.
In my work with students, I found that daily classroom interactions brought me enormous personal enrichment. At Broward College, I received the “Adjunct Professor of the Year” award for 2009-2010, an honor voted by students, and a Classroom Research Award to study infusion of technology into the learning experience of adult students, voted by faculty peers. I have also been honored with a Certificate of Outstanding Teaching from Miami Dade College, among other recognitions. These awards look great on a Resume, but... the truth is that, as much as I enjoyed awards and recognition, no award can ever replace the joy of seeing students’ eyes light up when they "get it", when they experience that "Aha! moment". Finally, since you are here, I would like to share with you some of my favorite "Aha moments", courtesy of some very enlightened people. Just click to the right or to the bottom of your screen! |
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"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand" - Confucius
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"When you get, give. When you learn, teach" - Dr. Maya Angelou
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