Describe ITA in three words. 

"Supportive-controlled-chaos."

What benefits does ITA provide its for students? 

"It gets students through a college prep curriculum with options at the end of graduation while feeling supported and successful."

What is the purpose of the Academy?

"The purpose of the Academy is to get students to graduate with options." 

What do you expect students to take away from the Academy when they leave high school ? 

"A well rounded education where they understand the content that we're delivering but in the context of the world they live in now. And skills because technology is not going to go away."

What is one piece of advice you give your students?

"Be a life long learner."

What would students be surprised to find out about you?

"I worked on the creation of the film Interview with a Vampire. Specifically, I wrote out the contract language for how many rats they could kill on set." 

How long have you been a part of ITA, and what made you want to be a part of the team?

"I joined ITA in 2002. The history teacher that was here took a sabbatical to be a missionary and I got to fill his space and I absolutely loved it. I liked the idea of working with an English teacher to talk about skills plus content so that students can use technology while learning."

Describe ITA in three words. 

"Family-academics-relationships."

What benefits does ITA provide for students? 

"It provides an opportunity for students to prepare for college, learn technology, and work with teachers that care for them." 

What is the purpose of the Academy? 

"The purpose of the Academy is to get students to learn a technical skill and get them prepared for college."

What do you expect students to learn from the Academy after high school? 

"To be prepared for college, to have a lot of technological skills in computers, maybe even programming, and good memories."

What is one piece of advice you give your students?

"Try your best to get the highest grade you possibly can so that you have more opportunities and options."

What would students be surprised to find out about you? 

"I'm a lot more fun than I seem . . . and I'm corny, I like to tell dad jokes."

How long have you been a part of ITA, and what made you want to be a part of the team?

"I've been in ITA since 2002. I wanted to work with groups of students for 3 years to help and support them with academics."

Describe ITA in three words. 

"Community-family-supportive." 

What benefits does ITA provide for students? 

"A small learning community where all the teachers work together to benefit the students, supporting future endeavors, and connecting with our community as a whole." 

What is the purpose of the Academy? 

"To create an enriching and supportive learning community that prepares our students to thrive within a digital economy, providing them with courses that fulfill A-G requirements as well as a computer science pathway through the promotion of scholarly habits and behaviors." 

What do you expect students to learn from the Academy after high school? 

"Life preparedness."

What is one piece of advice you give your students?

"There's more than one way to skin a chicken - all of our destinations don't look the same." 

What would students be surprised to find out about you? 

"I love cooking. I want to own a restaurant one day; it'll be called: The Chocolate Jalapeño."

How long have you been a part of ITA, and what made you want to be a part of the team?

"This is my sixth year in ITA. I switched from a district tech to a teacher because the position became available and I've always liked working with kids."  

Describe ITA in three words. 

"Fun-community-technology."

What benefits does ITA provide for students? 

"It provides them with a small learning community and a computer science pathway."

What is the purpose of being in the Academy?

"It is to prepare students for the real world. From college to a career or even interacting with adults."

What do you expect students to learn from the Academy after high school? 

"Be able to enter the real world and be successful citizens."

What is one piece of advice you gave your students?

"Don't be afraid to take risks and be yourself."

What would students be surprised to find out about you? 

"I lived in New Zealand as a kid."

How long have you been a part of ITA, and what made you want to be a part of the team?

"This is my second year with the Academy. The small community aspect made me want to be a part of the it."

Describe ITA in three words. 

"Mutual-admiration-society."

What benefits does ITA provide for students? 

"Besides me, it's being in a situation where they can build community over time with each other as well as their teachers."

What is the purpose of being in the Academy? 

"One is to guide and support students through a pathway of information technology. Another is to support students through the academy model: the same group of students & teachers for the next 2-3 years. "

What do you expect students to learn from the Academy after high school? 

"Skills that can be used immediately in the next level, be it in college or the private sector."

What is one piece of advice you gave your students?

"Find eternity within the moment."

What would students be surprised to find out about you?

"I love reading manga." 

How long have you been a part of ITA, and what made you want to be a part of the team?

"I  believe this is my fifth year in ITA. I saw a tight-knit community with the teachers that were in it and I wanted to be a part of that community." 

Describe ITA in three words. 

"Lifelong learners, Creativity, Technology"

What benefits does ITA provide for students? 

"The Academy is a small learning community providing students hands-on technological experiences, career networking opportunities and skill development."

What is the purpose of being in the Academy? 

"Help prepare students for successful career experiences while inspiring a desire for lifelong learning and a passion for technology."

What do you expect students to learn from the Academy after high school? 

"Students should develop technological proficiency, problem-solving skills, and be professionally ready for the next phase in life."

What is one piece of advice you gave your students?

"Never quit, always persevere!"

What would students be surprised to find out about you?

"I am a published poet." 

How long have you been a part of ITA, and what made you want to be a part of the team?

"This is the end of my 2nd year.  When I first interviewed here at Ridgeview, I was asked to be a part of the Academy.  I am greatly appreciative of my ITA Family - staff and STUDENTS! "