Valerie Rodriguez

I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2013, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in wildlife sciences with a double emphasis on Wildlife/Fisheries and Education. In December 2015, I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington, earning a master’s degree in Curriculum Design & Implementation with an emphasis on Science Education.

My passion is for our natural environment and for the furthering of continuing education, lifelong learners, and future naturalists. 

My roles have included performing live presentations, maintaining online resources and educational materials, leading, and directing daily tours, both home school cohorts and public-school programming and other educational programming. My passion for working with communities has led me to experiencing many different groups of children and adults. I have worked for many different organizations and gathered experience everywhere I go; from k-12 educational settings to creating programming for collegiate level observatories and universities. I have experience with grant writing and have previously successfully been awarded grants for the planetarium, nature center and library I worked for. 

Director • Marian West and William Blanton Blakemore Planetarium | Museum of the southwest •may 2019 – may 2021 | 40 HRS/WEEK | $52,000/YEAR

• Created and overhauled existing programming to include astronomy, arts, ELA, robotics, 3D printing and over 5 new cross curricular programs and lessons. 
• Orchestrated and ran live demonstrations and programs and events in planetary dome and Science on A Sphere – a new tool in teaching planetary lessons - bringing in over 300 new patrons to the Museum. 
• Managed and directed the use of a $50,000 Planetarium budget and fundraised support toward institutional, divisional, and departmental priorities. 
• Provided developmental experiences and volunteer opportunities for over 10 culturally based, social justice, and underrepresented student /non-profit organizations.
• Managed and oversaw the daily duties of a team responsible for professional development, communications, resource creation, programs of study, and handled all volunteers, aids, and interns.
• Created programming that aided, senior citizens, dementia patients, ESL learners, disadvantaged learners and more. 
• In response to COVID-19, began 3D printing masks/ventilator splitters for over 20 hospitals around West Texas. Co-created a pandemic documentation project, as well as other numerous free online resources including, lesson plans, virtual tours, and links to other resources for educators and at home learners. 

i.t. Director and cte teacher • midland academy charter school • may 2017 – may 2019 | 40 HRS/WEEK | $49,000/YEAR

• Improved learning by 25% in Technology Applications and Career Technology classes in 6th – 8th grade students.
• Successfully motivated disadvantaged students at a Title I school 
• Single-handedly maintained and directed the operations for a 400-student body district in technology.
• Coordinated IT support for over 50 staff and teachers
• Successfully orchestrated a fundraiser, raising over $5,000 in support for purchasing a 3D printer.  
• Ran and created content for all social media pages including Facebook, Instagram and website.
• Created a framework of tools for students, parents, and counselors to help guide students into relevant, engaging pathways in high school that have the impact of increasing student outcomes in high school, postsecondary successes, and entry into higher wage career paths. 
• Developed success metrics for each of these projects, including mechanisms to inform continuous improvement after initial roll-out.

Youth & VIrtual librarian / bookmobile Coordinator • midland county public libraries • February 2016 – May 2017 | 40 HRS/WEEK | $42.800/YEAR

• Formulated goals plan and procedures for outreach in the electronic resources department and Bookmobile. 
• Monitored and evaluated selection of materials and collection maintenance in library and on the Bookmobile. 
• Created, scheduled and managed Bookmobile and 3D printer outreach events, including over 15 staff members and over 100 volunteers.
• Kept data records for all events and programs performed throughout the year. 
• Successfully created and ran community outreach programming that brought in over 1500 patrons to one event. 
• Developed new programming that spanned cross curricular disciplines including science, art, reading, robotics, 3D printing 
• Created content for social media pages including Facebook, and Instagram and maintained the county website.
• Worked closely creating programming and outreach for homeschool groups, district isd, and extracurricular clubs such as 4H, Scouts and more. 

Education Program coordinator • Sibley Nature Center • April 2014 – May 2015 | 40 HOURS/WEEK | $36,000/YEAR

• Developed and implemented over 15 new TEKS curriculum for educational programs onsite & offsite for children and adults.
• Completely enhanced and expanded existing educational programs.
• Scheduled, trained, and supervised over 30 volunteers working for nature programs with children.
• Scheduled and arranged over 30 programs for the nature center for adults and children including rental space and birthday parties.
• Increased patron visits by 15% in one year by providing an array of educational and resourceful programs 
• Applied and received over $10,000 in grants from private donators for the use of nature center educational materials.
• Developed, coordinated, implemented, and evaluated all summer camps.
• Worked closely with over 5 new community partners such as I-20 Preserve to better enhance education opportunities within the Midland/Odessa community.
• Designed garden community plan for Sibley visitors in addition to monthly classes for children and adults. 
• Ran all social media pages including Facebook, Instagram, and website 
• Worked closely creating programming and outreach for homeschool groups, district isd, and extracurricular clubs such as 4H, Scouts and more

Bachelor of science in forest resources 

• december 2013 • university of georgia 

3.75 GPA, Magna Cum Laude, Xi Sigma Pi (National Forestry Honor Society), Wildlife Education Pathway

Masters of curriculum Implementation & Design
• December 2015 • University of texas at arlington

3.9 GPA, Science Education Pathway

EC-12 TEACHER CERTIFICATION 
• TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS • MAY 2018 • ITEACHTEXAS