Dallas Businessman Uses Educational Technology To Design Online Program
Being the youngest of five children growing up in Harlem, Daniel Ibarrondo decided that an education was going to be his ticket out of a dangerous gang-filled neighborhood. Ibarrondo enrolled in a pre-med program, but read a newspaper story about a mentally disabled man who was shot four times by four officers, which caused him to decide to pursue law. He received his bachelor's degree in political science from Fordham University. and J.D. degree from State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.
During the day, he worked as a lawyer for a community organization in Harlem to help several community groups become incorporated so they could receive funding from foundations. At night he taught history, government and international relations for several colleges in New York.
After five years of working in law and teaching, the teaching won out. Ibarrondo accepted an Associate Dean position at Mercy College. He also became the director of professional studies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
Ibarrondo moved his family to Puerto Rico and worked as Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Puerto Rico, and when Title V became law, Ibarrondo decided to become a lobbyist to bring funding to colleges. He created a consulting firm to assist private institutions, and over the course of 10 years, Ibarrondo raised $100 million for private colleges and universities in Puerto Rico and Florida.
Ibarrondo went on to earn an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in bi-lingual, bi-cultural education from Seton Hall University.
Mountain View College, part of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), was looking for an instructional designer and Ibarrondo accepted it and now teaches teachers how to teach and design online and hybrid courses.
"Technology is not the wave of the future; technology is the wave of the present. In order to be relevant, I had to jump into the realm of technology," said Ibarrondo about also earning a doctorate in Learning and Educational Technology from Pepperdine University.
"I am a life long learner. As we let go of the vestiges of the industrial age and embrace the technology age, it is important to update your skills," said Ibarrondo.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
