Updated vita based on peer comments

Jesús Manuel Uranga

24742 Catalan Cliff, San Antonio, TX.  78261

(C) (210) 471-1644, (W) (830) 379-4717, jesusamyuranga@gmail.com

 Education/Certification

M.Ed.                          Educational Administration, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX 2004

BS                               Office Systems, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 1995

                                    Superintendent Certificate                     Texas (In progress)

                             
Principal Certificate       Texas, EC-12

 Teacher Certificate       6-12 Secretarial Business, Texas

                                      6-12 Spanish, Texas                                        

 Administrative and Leadership Experience

 

Principal, Jim Barnes Middle School

Seguin ISD
Seguin, TX, 2008- Present

 ·     Instructional leader and manager of campus with 550 students and 60 staff members

·     Evaluate and offer guidance to teachers throughout the evaluation process

·     Facilitate ARD and faculty meetings as well as curriculum planning

·     Liaison between campus, parents, and community

Assistant Principal, Metzger Middle School
Judson ISD
San Antonio, TX, 2006-2008

·           Evaluated and offered guidance to teachers throughout the evaluation process

·           Facilitated ARD and faculty meetings
·           Administered discipline in accordance with the campus and district policies
 
Summer School Principal,
Judson ISD
San Antonio, TX, 2007 & 2008

·           Facilitated summer school program for the district

·           Hired faculty and staff, coordinated transportation, and provided staff development
·           Collaborated with various campus administrators in order to meet needs of students
 
Assistant Principal, Natalia ECC/Elementary
Natalia ISD
Natalia, TX, 2004-2006

·           Facilitated ARD meetings, curriculum planning meetings, and was a member of various campus committees

·           Evaluated and offered guidance to teachers throughout the evaluation process
 

Teaching Experience

7^th grade Science and Spanish Teacher,
Refugio Middle School, Refugio, TX  2002-2004

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to capture student interest
• Established and maintained rapport with all members of the learning community
• Tracked student progress in accordance to the state standards

Spanish I-III Teacher,
Agua Dulce Middle and High School, Agua Dulce, TX,  2001-2002          

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to capture student interest
• Established and maintained rapport with all members of the learning community
• Tracked student progress in accordance to the state standards

Elementary and Spanish I-II Teacher,
Kermit ISD, Kermit, TX,  1996-2001

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to capture student interest
• Established and maintained rapport with all members of the learning community
• Tracked student progress in accordance to the state standards

Coaching Experience

Head Baseball Coach,
Refugio High School, Refugio, TX 2002-2004

• Established successful baseball program that won a minimum of 14 games each year and made the playoffs each year
• Modeled strong core values and leadership for all student-athletes to utilize in their personal lives

Assistant Football, Basketball, and Baseball Coach
Agua Dulce High School, Agua Dulce, TX  2001-2002

·        Assisted head coaches in each sport to develop strong programs in each area

·        Modeled core values and leadership for all student-athletes

Assistant Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track Coach

Kermit High School, Kermit, TX  1996-2001

·         Assisted head coaches in each sport to develop strong programs in each area

·        Modeled core values and leadership for all student-athletes

Additional Training/Professional Development

• “Campus Based Staff Development”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX August 19, 2011
• “MS Curriculum Training Day 1”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX August 12, 2011
• “CSCOPE”, CSCOPE State Conference, San Antonio, TX, August 2-4, 2011
• “Opening of School”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX July 25-26, 2011
• “Leadership Institute for Campus Professional Development Teams”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX June 16, 2011
• “Cognitive Coaching Days 5-8”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX, March 11, 2011
• “TEA DVM Leaver Audit”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX February 10, 2011
• “Critical Thinking”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX February 23, 2011
• “Cognitive Coaching Days 1-4”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX October 15, 2010
• “Using Data to Improve Student Learning”, Austin, TX August 2010
• “CSCOPE Administrators’ Day 2”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX June 14, 2010
• “Eduphoria”, Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX April 30, 2010

Presentations

Uranga, J. (2011, August). CSCOPE and Differentiation.  Presentation for faculty and staff at Jim Barnes Middle School, Seguin, TX.

Professional Affiliations

Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, 2006-present

References

References will be included on the following page, if requested.

Interview with my superintendent, Dr. Irene Garza

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Irene Garza, Superintendent of Schools, for the Seguin ISD.  Having worked under her guidance for three years, I must say that it was very different sitting down and just talking with her versus her having to be in the role of superintendent.  The answers she provided for each question were enlightening and offered me a new perspective on the outlook of many things in the education world.  What I learned from her was that a superintendent must have many qualities that set them apart from other people.  For example, this person must be a good listener and communicator.  They must have an open mind and be willing to accept views from many different places. Here are the responses that really stood out to me.

1.       What does ethical leadership look like?

a.       In short, as a leader the person has to be comfortable with their own morals in both easy and hard times and be willing to apply them to the decisions they make.  The superintendent cannot get pulled in by the pressures of different constituents that have their own agenda at hand.  This person must always make decisions that are right for the kids. They have to be upfront with people about what decision was made and why it was made.

2.      What is your definition of leadership?

a.       To be a leader a person must be able to have a vision and communicate it to all stakeholders.  Furthermore, they must be able to initiate and create change while at the same time, keeping all their supporters informed and involved.

3.      What do you believe are the attributes of a good Superintendent?

a.       First you must always remember that the Superintendent has a role that they play in the grand scheme of things.  This person must be a good communicator and listener for the community they serve.  They must understand the culture of the community they work in and have the desire and energy to become a part of that community.  This person must model that it is important to adapt and become a life-long learner.

4.      How does the Superintendent build a good working relationship with the Board?

a.       The foundation for a good relationship must be laid annually and early so that each side knows their position in the relationship.  The board must understand that they operate by a code of ethics and operating procedures and that they must work within those parameters.  The Superintendent must also be aware of the role they play and how all these things tie together so that a school district run effectively. 

5.      How do you work to develop a shared vision?

a.       In order to create a shared vision, the superintendent must bring all stakeholders to the table and get them to buy-in to an idea.  The superintendent must help them believe in owning the cause and having them remain true to the cause.  There will need to be much collaboration and everyone must be willing to be open-minded for the good of the cause. 

Transfer theory

Transfer theory is the ability to take your prior knowledge or skills in a certain area and apply them to a new situation or setting.  In being able to do this, the learning curve at a new job can greatly be decreased and essentially progress can be made at a quicker pace.

As far as examples, I will offer one from both my personal and professional life.  As far as personal, I am the proud father of four children.  You are probably wondering where transfer theory comes into play, but it involves potty training.  As your child learns about using the restroom, you begin with pull-ups to help avoid accidents but at the same time, you are teaching the child that they can pull them off and on when they need use the restroom.  When the child becomes more adept to being able to control their urges, you move them into wearing regular underwear.  Although the feel of the pull-up versus the underwear is different, the child can transfer the learning he/she did with the pull-ups into now wearing regular underwear.  In my professional life, the idea of transfer theory is always at the forefront when hiring new coaches.  We are always looking for candidates that have at least some type of experience with the sports they are going to be coaching.  Basically, we want to know if they can transfer that prior knowledge onto the student-athlete and make them successful.  Finally, we as administrators are always looking for transfer when teachers attend staff developments.  We want them to transfer what they learned in their training to their classroom situations.

I believe it is critical for the superintendent candidate have at least that one year of experience before joining the program.  Even with one year of experience, they will be introduced to some concepts that they can then have as a basis as they continue to move up in their educational careers.  I for one believe that my administrative experience really helped me with the practice test I took last week as I was able to utilize my prior knowledge to assist me in answering some of the questions. 

My Professional Vita

Jesús Manuel Uranga

24742 Catalan Cliff, San Antonio, TX.  78261

(C) (210) 471-1644, (W) (830) 379-4717, jesusamyuranga@gmail.com

Education/Certification

M.Ed.                          Educational Administration, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, TX 2004

BS                               Office Systems, Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX 1995                      

Principal Certificate    Texas, EC-12

Teacher Certificate      6-12 Secretarial Business, Texas

                                     6-12 Spanish, Texas                                 

Administrative and Leadership Experience

Principal, Jim Barnes Middle School

Seguin ISD
Seguin, TX, 2008- Present

·      Instructional leader and manager of campus with 550 students and 60 staff members
·      Evaluate and offer guidance to teachers throughout the evaluation process
·      Facilitate ARD and faculty meetings as well as curriculum planning
·      Liaison between campus, parents, and community

Assistant Principal, Metzger Middle School

Judson ISD
San Antonio, TX, 2006-2008

·            Evaluated and offered guidance to teachers throughout the evaluation process
·            Facilitated ARD and faculty meetings
·            Administered discipline in accordance with the campus and district policies

Summer School Principal,
Judson ISD
San Antonio, TX, 2007 & 2008

·            Facilitated summer school program for the district
·            Hired faculty and staff, coordinated transportation, and provided staff development
·            Collaborated with various campus administrators in order to meet needs of students

Assistant Principal, Natalia ECC/Elementary

Natalia ISD
Natalia, TX, 2004-2006

·            Facilitated ARD meetings, curriculum planning meetings, and was a member of various campus committees

·            Evaluated and offered guidance to teachers throughout the evaluation process

 Teaching Experience

7^th grade Science and Spanish Teacher,
Refugio Middle School, Refugio, TX  2002-2004

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to capture student interest
• Established and maintained rapport with all members of the learning community
• Tracked student progress in accordance to the state standards

Spanish I-III Teacher,
Agua Dulce Middle and High School, Agua Dulce, TX,  2001-2002       

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to capture student interest
• Established and maintained rapport with all members of the learning community
• Tracked student progress in accordance to the state standards

Elementary and Spanish I-II Teacher,
Kermit ISD, Kermit, TX,  1996-2001

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to capture student interest
• Established and maintained rapport with all members of the learning community
• Tracked student progress in accordance to the state standards

Coaching Experience

Head Baseball Coach,

Refugio High School, Refugio, TX 2002-2004

• Established successful baseball program that won a minimum of 14 games each year and made the playoffs each year
• Modeled strong core values and leadership for all student-athletes to utilize in their personal lives

Assistant Football, Basketball, and Baseball Coach
Agua Dulce High School, Agua Dulce, TX  2001-2002

• Assisted  head coaches in each sport to develop strong programs in each area
• Modeled core values and leadership for all student-athletes

Assistant Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track Coach
Kermit High School, Kermit, TX  1996-2001

• Assisted head coaches in each sport to develop strong programs in each area
• Modeled core values and leadership for all student-athletes

Additional Training/Professional Development

• “Cognitive Coaching,” Seguin ISD, Seguin, TX, 2010-2011
• “CSCOPE”, CSCOPE State Conference, San Antonio, TX, August 2011

Presentations

Uranga, J. (2011, August). CSCOPE and Differentiation.  Presentation for faculty and staff at Jim Barnes Middle School, Seguin, TX.

 Professional Affiliations

Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, 2006-present

 References

References will be included on the following page, if requested.

1st Web Discussion

Had a great web discussion with Dr. Benavides last night.  It was a new experience for me, but will be a very valuable tool once we all get together on it so we can share ideas and ask questions.  See you all on there next Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

Reflection of Week 1

I must say this course is going pretty smooth so far.  There are just a few things that I am not sure of such as the internship plan and the TK20 thing we are supposed to do.  So, if anyone has any help on either of these two items, please reply and offer some assistance.  Any help will be greatly appreciated. 

Hmmmmmm.....How Can I Use This

As I go through and manipulate the many features of the blog, ideas just keep popping in my mind of the many things I can do with this.  One that I will begin using immediately is to allow my teachers to blog about the positive things that are ocurring in the classroom or on campus.  I also see them using this to share ideas with each other and our sister school that is across town.  The ideas are endless and I am excited to begin using it.