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EDUCATION

Licenses
Educational Technology Specialist
Technology Education
Visual Arts
Common Branches k-6

New York Institute of Technology
http://iris.nyit.edu/~rpootrak
Degree: Advanced Diploma in School Leadership & Technology (SBL) 2009 - present
Degree: Master of Science in Instructional Technology, 2007 - 2009 G.P.A. 4.0

Parsons School of Design, New School University
http://a.parsons.edu/~reza
Degree: Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology, 2001 - 2003
Area of Major Concentration: Multimedia Design G.P.A. 3.7
Masters Thesis: Multimedia Education - View Thesis Site

Queens College, City University of New York
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, 1997 - 2001
Area of Major Concentration: Fine Art/Print Design G.P.A. 3.7
Area of Minor Concentration: Psychology/Art History

EXPERIENCE

New York Institute of Technology, September 2010 - PRESENT
Adjunct Instructor
•Course: EDIT 605: Instructional Applications of the Internet

Public School 222Q NYCDOE Queens, NY 2005 - PRESENT
http://www.youngexplorers222.org
Instructional Technology/Social Studies Teacher / Tech Liaison
•Support and train teachers in the use of the SMART Board, Wireless lab, digital cameras, video conferencing.
•Assist teachers in preparing appropriate motivating lessons that connect with curriculum through technology.
•Responsible for supporting teachers in implementing the Technology standards in grades PreK-2.
•Assist with special projects, institutes and professional development.
•Use video, digital camera, video-conferencing, SMART Board and other computer technologies to enhance learning in all curriculum areas.
•Assist and train staff in computer technology.
•Create digital yearbooks, diplomas and certificates for graduation and stepping up ceremonies.
•Push into classrooms to train students on laptops
•Create & maintain school website.
•Participate in the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) Program.
•Attend monthly Tech Liaison meetings.
•Coordinate and implement Technology Workshops for parents.
•Diagnose/resolve technical problems related to use of computers, printers and related technology.
•Install software applications on computers.
•Access work orders and document work using the District's database.
•Perform related duties as assigned by the principal.

Penny Harvest Coordinator 2005 - PRESENT
•Work with a team of student leaders while simultaneously engaging all students.
•Spearhead the program, working closely with the principal and other school staff.
•Take on responsibility as manager, motivational speaker, teacher, coordinator, planner, organizer and facilitator.
•School has donated over $3,000 to charities such as Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude Children's Hospital and The Child Abuse Prevention Program.

After School ESL Enrichment Through The Arts - Technology Teacher 2006 - 2007
(Parental Component)
•Provide training to ELL parents on how to use a digital camera.
•Prepare in conjunction with ELL teacher appropriate strategy lessons for ELL parents to develop English Language Skills.
•Team teach with ESL teacher
•Model to ELL parents how to tell oral stories captured in pictures.
•Model to ELL parents how to sketch and write small moment stories.
•Maintain photo portfolios for each ELL parent.
•Document class work through a portfolio.
•Create video montage showcasing parent work.
•Coordinate and organize field trips. The United Nations, Museum of the Moving Image
•Attend Professional Development after school related to the program.

After School ESL Enrichment Through The Arts - Graphic Design 2006 - 2007
•Work with ELL students to create artwork through computer software programs.
•Teach students how to use Kidpix program as well as navigate the internet.
•Document class work through a portfolio.
•Create lesson plans.
•Research and gather materials for lessons.
•Document and report weekly progress to program coordinator.

Summer School Teacher 2006 - 2007
•Implement and assume responsibility for all instructional activities as assigned by school-based supervisors.
•Provide small group instruction to meet individual needs; use thematic, holistic, active learning strategies to integrate curriculum areas if appropriate; implement new intervention and instruction strategies designed to help at-risk children in grade 2 to meet the standards.
•Maintain student attendance and progress reports as use ongoing assessment to plan instruction.
•Meet with parents to discuss student progress.
•Participate in all professional development sessions related to the program.

After School Teacher - Digital Art/Photography Teacher 2004 - 2005
•Created lesson plans focusing on visual art and artists.
•Taught students how to use Digital/Polaroid cameras
•Taught students how to use Kidpix program as well as navigate the internet.
•Documented class work through a portfolio.
•Researched and gathered materials for lessons.

Substitute Teacher/ F-Status Tech Support 2004 - 2005
•Assisted Magnet Coordinator in the implementation and organization of programs and residencies.
•Supported Magnet program through Visual Arts and Technology.
•Created DVD as well as Powerpoint presentations showcasing student work.
•Taught all subjects.
•Secured materials and equipment necessary for lesson plans.
•Diagnosed/resolved technical problems related to use of computers, printers and related technology.
•Logged and recorded computer related incidents in Tech Book.
•Installed software applications on computers.
•Accessed work orders and document work using the District's database.
•Established and maintain positive relationships with staff.
•Performed related duties as assigned by the principal.

PRESENTATIONS GIVEN

New York University - The New York City Dual Language Symposium 2007
Addressing Different Learning Styles Through Methodologies That Work. This workshop was meant to assist Dual Language teachers and administrators with developing a sound literacy program in both English and Spanish using technology. Different modalities and learning styles to motivate students to learn in both languages were presented. View Program

Instituto Cervantes New York 2007
This presentation highlighted the many ways P.S. 222Q incorporated technology into the dual language classroom to enhance communication, learning, and instruction. Sample lessons, video demonstrations and resources were presented. Special Focus was placed on the SMART Board and how it helps in the implementation of strategies and cooperative structures designed especially for the Dual Language Classrooms.

District 30 Region4 Technology Liaison Meeting 2007
A presentation designed for teachers who have little or no experience with videoconferencing. An overview of videoconferencing and how it can be used for teaching; cover ways to get your message across effectively through the use of well-designed visuals; explore creative ways of conveying messages visually and engaging students. Topics covered included:
Overview of videoconferencing: what is videoconferencing, tips & techniques, resources.
Engaging students: learning & teaching, levels of interaction. Launch Site

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS ATTENDED

Region 4 Technology Liaison Workshops 2005 - PRESENT
Workshops are held once a month for the purpose of enhancing our schools' instructional programs through technology.
Workshop Topics:
Apple Shareware Programs
Battery Maintenance
Impatica for Power Point
DOE Payroll Portal
Bloglines
Instructional Technology Specialist prepguide
Podcast and Vodcast
RSS overview
Camera Shots
Digital Video Cameras Buying Guide
Power point Story board
iMovie HD
Wireless Internet
Validating Websites
Information Literacy
How the Internet Works
DOE Network
Configuring Printers
Videoconferencing

Primary Grade Global Communication and Collaboration Project - Creating, Publishing, and Sharing Online ABC Books - 2008
In this workshop, we learned how to create and publish electronic ABC books. Teachers learned how to: •Use PowerPoint to develop electronic books that students can interact with, over and over again, to develop word recognition, fluency, and content literacy •Create multi-media instructional tools for the classroom. •Choose content for the book. •Record audio, insert pictures, clip art or scanned documents. •Prepare work to be publish to the Web.

Elementary Grade Global Communication and Collaboration Project - Creating, Publishing, and Sharing Online Multimedia Word Walls - 2008
In this workshop, we learned how to create electronic word walls in literacy and curriculum content areas. Teachers learned how to: •Creating multi-media instructional tools for the classroom. • Learn essential elements in PowerPoint needed to create the word wall. • Ready work for Web publishing • Develop an archive of curriculum word walls.

SMART Technologies - SMART Board Interactive whiteboard Workshop 2007
Workshop was designed to help educators learn how to use the SMART Board interactive whiteboard to improve their daily work. The full-day session was led by a SMART trainer we were taught how to use and enhance existing resources to create and present dynamic lessons and activities related to the featured subject.

Apple Computers - iLife Workshop 2007
In this all day hands-on workshop we learned how to use the iLife applications: iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie HD, iDVD, Garageband and iWeb. We learned how to create podcasts that integrate audio, music, photographs, video and the web. Using iWeb, we learned how to create stunningly beautiful web pages, podcasts and blogs without having to learn anything about HTML programming. We learned how to use iPhoto to create books, calendars, slide shows, podcasts and photocasts. We Learned how to use the powerful new themes in iMovie HD to create professional looking movies. We learned how to create DVDs with just a few simple mouse clicks and how to create a Magic movie with four mouse clicks using iMovie HD and how to create audio, video and enhanced podcasts using Garageband.

New England Conference on Gifted and Talented 2006
The conference provided an opportunity for parents and local educators to hear nationally recognized experts and researchers in the field of gifted education to include topics such as educational options, social and emotional needs, twice exceptional, home schooling, differentiated instruction, educational testing and more.
Workshops attended:
Books on Tape for Kids: Literacy, Technology and Service Learning - Carroll Garland, Jo Rodehorst & Gino San Guiliano
Cultivating Creativity in Your Classroom - Gara Field & Jill Adelson
Combining Students' Interests with Technology for High-End Learning - Sheelah Sweeny & Gara Field
How to Tell a Darn Good Story: A Playshop for Educators on the Art of Storytelling - John Porcino

Hunter College - Internet Resources for ELL Students 2006
The focus of this workshop was on why teachers should use the internet with ELL students.
Topics Discussed:
Searching The Internet
-Choosing and Using Search Tools
-Refining your search with Boolean Operators
-Searching with Keywords
Integrating Technology Into Planning and Curriculum.
-Integration into the curriculum
-Computer Competence
-Active teacher involvement
Internet Resources For ELL Students
-RED and Read About Programs-Scholastic

Imagine Learning Inc. Software training 2006
The Dual Language teachers and I received training in the "Imagine Learning English" software program. "Imagine Learning English" is a computer-based instructional program which teaches children English and develops their literacy skills faster and better than any other method. Students receive one-on-one instruction through hundreds of engaging activities specifically designed to meet their individual needs, so they progress quickly.

Sagebrush/Winnebago - Advanced Workshop 2006
This workshop was designed for librarians/Media Specialists who had worked with Winnebago but had special concerns or wanted to delve into the more advanced features of the program. Winnebago Spectrum 5 is a library automation program used to catalogue and organize our library books.

Region 4 Title IID "Enhancing Education Through Technology" Retreat 2006
Three day workshop focused on the Second Grade Nonfiction Science Research and Publishing Project.
The workshop trained teachers on how to implement the project from beginning to end. The objective of this project was to get students to:
-Learn about animals.
-Learn about non-fiction literacy skills.
-Learn about basic information technology skills, including those relating to research and writing.

University of Connecticut - Confratute 2006
At Confratute, we spent one week learning about enrichment teaching and learning, talent development, and gifted education with educators and leaders from the United States and overseas. Confratute is a combined CONFerence, FRATernity, and instiTUTE geared toward providing educators with strategies for enrichment teaching and learning.
Workshops attended:
SILK SCREEN PRINTING—Vidabeth Bensen, House of Life Prints, Pittsboro, NC. In this hands-on strand we learned how to create art work using this fun and exciting printmaking medium that can be used to enhance many aspects of the curriculum.
ANIMATION: LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! DEVELOPING TYPE III AUDIOVISUAL PROJECTS— Greg Murin, College of New Rochelle, NY and Montclair State University, NJ. This hands-on strand gave teachers the opportunity to create a short, stop-motion, animated movie using a digital camera and laptop computer, thus enabling us to use the learned techniques to create movies with our own students.
BOOKMAKING—Cindy Lassalle, ESA Lower School, Lafayette, LA. Imagine producing several small books with clean, fresh pages that might pop-up or crawl across the table. In this strand we folded, sewed, cut, and glued books together, which could be used to teach, to learn, and to express ourselves.
Launch Site

Fordham University - Tech to Go! Instructional Technology Conference - 2005
Tech to Go! is a Free Citywide Instructional Technology Conference. Tech to Go! is a smorgasbord of short experiences, each of which provides a good-to-go practice, activity, or resource that they participants can easily implement in their own classroom the very next school day.
Workshops attended:
iLife in the Classroom: Tools that power today's classroom
Multi Media Production - Video Editing
How to build an interactive whiteboard lesson activity

The New York Botanical Gardens Summer Institute July 2005
Seedlings Program for Teachers of Grades K–2
This Summer Institute provided a week-long intensive immersion in ecology and botanical science led by professional scientists and educators. We learned how to make science fun through field-tested, hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Teachers discovered how to make the Garden an extension of their classroom, while enriching the curriculum with award-winning resources and more.
Launch Site

Columbia University Teacher's College February Institute 2005
Teaching The skills and strategies of Reading PreK-2

SKILLS

Cross Platform Mac/PC Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe ImageReady, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Director, Adobe Flash, Quark Xpress, Digidesign Pro Tools, HTML, ActionScript, FTP Software, Kidpix, Inspiration, Apple iLife, SMART Board, SMART Notebook.

HONORS

P.S. 222Q - P.T.A. Appreciation Award, 2007
P.S. 222Q - Teacher Recognition Award, 2006
American Museum of Natural History - Volunteer Appreciation Award, 2001
Queens College - Psi Chi Member, 1999
Queens College - Golden Key National Honor Society Member, 1999
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OTHER EXPERIENCE

Freelance Graphic/Production Artist January 2000 - PRESENT
Projects including: Advertisements, Banner creation, Book design, Brochure design, CD cover design, Corporate identity, DVD creation, Poster design, Sound editing, Website design.

American Museum of Natural History - Manhattan, NY August 2000 - PRESENT
Volunteer
Perform general receptionist's responsibilities; including data entry, faxing, and answering telephone calls.
•Archive blue prints for architects.
•Organize invoices and department information in a systematic order.
•Maintain and systematize office supplies.

New School University, Facilities Department - Manhattan, NY September 2002 – September 2004
University Signage Designer
Execute design and renovation of signage for university facilities.
•Managed Print production.
•Liaison between vendors and university facilities department.
•Ensured vendors follow established competitive pricing for the university.
•Assisted managers and directors with graphic design work; including but not limited to PowerPoint presentations, retouching photographs, creating floor plans using Autocad and Illustrator.

Mixed Bag Radio - Manhattan, NY September 2002 - December 2002
Web Designer
Redesigned company website for Disc Jockey Pete Fornatelle.
•Designed iconography for website navigation.
•Collaborated with sound designer on video and sound formats.
•Administered the website's music artist database.

Aid To Artisans - Manhattan, NY January 2001 - May 2002
Brand Designer
Strategized the redesign of Aid To Artisans' brand identity.
•Organized company information and design materials.
•Assisted with art direction.
•Created mockups and client presentations.

Art on the Net: Franklin Furnace - Manhattan, NY September 2001 - December 2001
Graphic Design Intern
Facilitated in the development of artists' projects.
•Provided technical assistance to artists transferring their work to the web using Dreamweaver, Flash, HTML, Photoshop and FTP software.
•Provided feedback on artists' works.
•Participated in artist's experiments through online chat environments and video conferencing.

Queens College Yearbook, The Silhouette - Queens, NY September 2001 - May 2002
Graphic Design Editor/Photographer
Developed the design and layout template for the Queens College Yearbook, The Silhouette.
•Photographed faculty and various college events.
•Proofread text.

Commission On Voluntary Service and Action - Brooklyn, NY January 2001 - August 2001
Graphic Designer
Designed the layout and advertisement displays for their world-renowned catalog, lnvest Yourself.
•Created flyers, advertisements, certificates, and postcards.
•Facilitated catalog distribution by organizing mass mailings and making telephone calls.