Elections!
This year is an election year for Coachella CUE! We have several openings. Apply today, or nominate someone else, to join our Coachella CUE Board!
Coachella CUE Elections
Coachella CUE Elections
PRESIDENT - Edward Simoneau
Edward Simoneau is the Educational Technology Coordinator for Coachella Valley Unified School District. As a teacher, Eddie's passion was providing the best education possible for students, which included using the latest technology resources available to help students develop 21st century skills. After 5 years of teaching, he used his experiences to train other teachers with using technology as a Educational Technology Teacher Training Teachers (T3). As Coordinator, he has a major role in CVUSD’s deployment of over 20,000 iPads as a key developer of logistical action plans. In addition to the deployment, Eddie's focus is to develop a professional development program that supports the needs of both students and teachers in preparing for the Common Core and building a 21st century learning environment. Eddie enjoys connecting with other educators and can be reached through Twitter @Simonometry.
VICE PRESIDENT - Jennifer Dean
Jennifer is a 1st grade teacher in Desert Sands Unified School District at Amelia Earhart Elementary School of International Studies. She taught TK and 2nd grade in Illinois and has taught 2nd grade and 1st grade in California. She obtained her M.S in Instructional Technology, is a Seesaw Ambassador and Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2. In addition, Jennifer is a Google Certified Trainer. Jennifer loves technology and is always looking for awesome ways to integrate it into the classroom. #K2CanToo!
Twitter @Techy_Jenn
Twitter @Techy_Jenn
SECRETARY - Maricela Hernandez
Dr. Maricela Hernandez, is a passionate educator serving Coachella Valley Unified School District students and teachers since 2007. She currently supports teachers integrating EdTech tools as an Educational Technology Teacher on Special Assignment. Prior to this position, she served students as an elementary school teacher. As a classroom teacher, she worked with her site administration as an EdTech Site Technology Lead teacher to support other teachers integrating technology into daily lessons. She also participated in the Positive Behavior Interventions Systems (PBIS) Steering Committee to implement PBIS at her site and improve student academic success and behavior. Maricela also served as a Parent and Community engagement lead teacher at her school to improve the school-home connection. She enjoys learning about innovative EdTech tools and the integration of strategies and pedagogies to support all students. She’s also a wife and mother of four children and enjoys volunteering in her church working with youth and young adults.
Twitter @flackahh
Twitter @flackahh
TREASURER - Eduardo Rivera
Eduardo was a ninth grade Algebra teacher for five years at his alma mater, Cathedral City High School. Currently, Eduardo serves the teachers, administrators, and staff of Palm Springs Unified School District as an Instructional Technology TOSA. He graduated from the University of California in Irvine and received his credential and his masters from National University. Eduardo has been teaching since 2008 and has also participated in the 24/7 program, which gave students apple laptops to use for all of their core subjects.
Twitter @EdTechEddie
Twitter @EdTechEddie
WEB SPECIALIST - Blanca Lemus
Blanca Lemus is a 6th grade math and science teacher at Nellie N. Coffman Middle School in Cathedral City. Throughout her 10 years of teaching experience, she has explored ways to engage her students with hands-on activities, project-based units and most recently, using iPads and Chromebooks in the classroom not only to actively engage but to redefine her teaching. Blanca is a firm believer that in order to prepare students for the 21st century, technology is a major component in getting them there. Blanca was named Teacher of the Year at her school for the years 2015-2016. She holds a Master's Degree in Education technology and is a Flipgrid Certified Educator.
Twitter @blemus28
Twitter @blemus28
Public Relations & Communications Specialist- Jennifer Eyre
Jennifer Eyre serves as an elementary school administrator in the Coachella Valley Unified School District. She has over 20 years experience as an educator serving students as a teacher, new teacher mentor, consulting teacher, literacy coach, and administrator. In order to lead best practices in teaching and learning, Jennifer has attended various trainings to learn more about integrating technology within the common core standards based classroom. She is currently the 2019 Technology Site Leader of the Year Award winner for the Coachella Valley. Jennifer can be reached via twitter @PassionateEDU
SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST - Paul Gordon
Paul Gordon is a 5th grade teacher in Palm Springs. He was born and raised in Binghamton, a small town in upstate New York. Mr. Gordon made the decision, along with his wife Bonna, to move from New York to teach together in California. Mr. Gordon went to SUNY Potsdam and received his bachelor of arts in education with a dual certification of birth to second and third through sixth grade. He continued his education with a master of science in education to acquire a degree as an Educational Technology Specialist. He currently is a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2, Flipgrid Certified Educator, and #EDUmeat Pit Boss Certified. His passion for technology in the classroom revolves around project based learning with a focus on 3D printing and physical computing. He was honored as the Coachella CUE Young Emerging Leader in 2019.
Twitter @TeachtheTech
Twitter @TeachtheTech
Board Member at Large- Brian Carnes
Mathematics Teacher for Desert Sands Unified School District and former EdTech TOSA for the Coachella Valley USD. In the classroom Brian used the iPad daily with his students. As an EdTech TOSA he supported students and teachers with the integration of technology in their lessons. Part of his responsibilities were curriculum development. He helped develop curriculum for courses such as SAMRai, ISTEcs, and an iPad boot camp for students. All of these courses are designed to further the integration of TPACK.
Twitter @edtechamatics
Twitter @edtechamatics
Board Member at Large- Christina Alaniz
Christina is a 5th grade teacher at Landau Elementary in Cathedral City. Prior to her time at Landau, she taught 2nd grade at Julius Corsini Elementary in Desert Hot Springs and 2nd and 4th grades at a private school on the Morongo Indian Reservation. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education as well as certification in Gifted and Talented Education. Christina was named Teacher of the Year at her school for the 2017-2018 school year. She is always looking for new resources and ways to integrate technology to enhance student learning. She is a Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2, a Flipgrid Certified Educator, and a Leading Edge Certified Digital Educator. In addition, Christina is a Google Certified Trainer and a Flipgrid Student Voice Ambassador. She believes in bringing dynamic teaching to her students in order to foster their love of learning and sharing their voice. #StudentVoice
Twitter @1geekyteacher
Twitter @1geekyteacher