"I will not only use more technology for instructional purposes, but have the student-created materials for assessment purposes, also."

Ronda Utz

• Current Teaching Assignment: 5th grade reading, language arts, and bilingual

• Degree/Certification(s): BA in Journalism, English minor, and Bilingual certification

• College(s) Attended: Texas A&M University; UT Tyler

• Years of Teaching Experience: 8 years

• Hobbies/Interests: Health and fitness, Reading

"One of my goals was to use technology in the classroom, and the TARGET Grant benefited me with the opportunity of reaching it.  My class will be different because my students will learn and engage with hands on math and equipment, and they will use technology with the purpose of analyzing, making conjectures, and forecast different scenarios when solving a problem."

Adalberto De La Fuente

• Current Teaching Assignment: Grades 6th - 8th Math

• Degree/Certification(s): Math 4-8 Certification; Degree in Industrial Engineering

• College(s) Attended: Universidad Autonoma De Nuevo Leon (Mexico), Univdersidad Regiomontana (Mexico)

• Years of Teaching Experience: 4 years

• Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Science, Technology, and Soccer

"The TARGET Grant program has introduced me to a lot of new technology that before now I never new existed.  Now my goal is to move my students towards an enhanced view of our natural world through the use of technology."

James Westwood

• Current Teaching Assignment: 5th grade science and social studies

• Degree/Certification(s): AA/BA in Interdisciplinary Studies; Certifications in Science, Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies

• College(s) Attended: Tyler Junior College, UT Tyler

• Years of Teaching Experience: 1 year

• Hobbies/Interests: Antique Motorcycles, Scuba Diving, Jazz, Reading, and Writing

"I have learned SO much.  I will definitely incorporate more technology and inquiry into my classroom.  I am so excited!"

Marissa Palmer

• Degree Desired: BS in Interdisciplinary Studies

• Certification(s): EC - 4, English

• College(s) Attended: UT Tyler

• Hobbies/Interests: Reading, Scrapbooking, Crafts, 2005 Chair for Relay For Life in Henderson, Playing/Spending time with my 1 1/2 year-old son and my husband.