HI, I'M GERRY ORTIZ
Designing & Developing Instructional Material with a Magic Touch 🪄
WHERE I'M COMING FROM
For most of my life, I've been fortunate to have AMAZING teachers that inspire me to become a life-long learner with a passion for Education. It's because of my childhood teachers in particular that I became an educator myself; I want to provide others what my educators provide me: a joy for learning that I carry every day and that drives me to continuously improve my performance both professionally and personally.
EXPERIENCE
Work History
July 2017Â - June 2021
TEACHER, DOWNEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Regularly integrated video with guide questions and knowledge checks which engaged learners and provided them with clearer understanding of the concepts.
​
Designed & delivered interactive and gamified ILT of complicated topics.
​
Conducted needs assessments to better meet students' needs through differentiated instruction.
July 2016 - June 2017
ENGLISH TEACHER, ACADEMIA FOWLER
Spearheaded the development of the curriculum for the English department under the head of school.
Primarily used a constructivist approach crafting learning objectives at the top of Bloom's Taxonomy such as having students build their own games that reflect an understanding of key concepts.
Co-audited the school's physical and logistical infrastructure in a committee to help prepare the school for re-accreditation.
January 2015Â - June 2015
ENGLISH TEACHER, UNIVERSITY GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL
Effectively integrated modern music to reinforce instruction: one senior claimed that she had spent her entire academic career waiting for one such teacher.
Co-developed & implemented English Week festivities such as: Dictionary Contest, Spelling Bee and Open Mic competitions.
​
Developed and implemented a UX platform for students to access and often complete assignments virtually.
August 2013 - June 2016
TEACHER CANDIDATE, UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
Served as VP of the Association of Practicum Students.
As such, apprised teacher candidates of important dates, events, meetings and our restructuring of the candidate guidelines.
Praised by supervising teachers during the internships for showing outstanding potential, creativity and finesse.
ACADEMICS
Learning and Living
July 2021-Present
MS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY, FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
Focusing on curriculum and eLearning development and multimedia integration.
Improving instructional approach and methodologies.
Expanding entrepreneurial projects such as a social-professional online platform for educators to share & collaborate as well as integrate current events into their instruction.
May 2017
BA SECONDARY ENGLISH EDUCATION & ESOL, UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
In-depth studies in human growth and development using medical school textbooks.
Mastered the instructional cycle (similar to the ADDIE model), constructivism theory and the Understanding by Design framework.
Extracurricular studies in: communications (media and business), philosophy, art, film, among others.
June 2021
DIPLOMA GRAPHIC DESIGN, ADOBE & ALISON ONLINE LEARNING
Mastered the fundamentals of colors, fonts, shapes, shades, angles, depth-of-field and their relationship with textures and trends.
August 2004-May 2007
THE BALDWIN SCHOOL OF PUERTO RICO
Prestigious International Baccalaureate school.
Played JV basketball & volleyball as well as participated in drama club and starred in multiple school plays.
"The teacher should be first and foremost an educator of conscience."