iTECH and iTECH Glades Newsletter
🌟 STUDENT OF THE MONTH
We want to give a big shout-out to the adult culinary students at iTECH! Our shining stars are Ray Perez, Shinica Saint Louis, Andrez Obergon, Zayda Saucedo, Thomas Keller, and Reyna Dominguez. This April, these students will be hosting multiple luncheon events at our banquet center, which require a lot of hard work to execute successfully. During these events, the culinary students will prepare full-course meals, including salads, entrées, and desserts, while serving numerous guests, just like catering companies do. This hands-on experience is essential for their success in the industry.
When asked about their future plans after iTECH, Zayda mentioned that she would love to work for The Ritz-Carlton. Reyna aspires to become a baker, having discovered a passion for baking. Ray enjoys learning to cook and bake new dishes every day, as the culinary program has expanded his interests. Thomas and Shinica aim to explore various cuisines and everything that comes with being a chef. Andrez expressed his desire to learn what it takes to become a business owner, a shared dream among all the adult students.
Pictured left to right:
Ray Perez, Shinica Saint Louis, Andrez Obergon, Zayda Saucedo, Thomas Keller, and Reyna Domingoz
🌟 STAFF/FACULTY OF THE MONTH
This month, iTECH would like to shine light on Amy McMullin, an instructor in Computer Systems Information Technology and Applied Cybersecurity. Not many people know that Amy originally aspired to be a writer. At her first job in retail, working at a gift shop, the owner quickly realized that Amy did not enjoy dealing with customers. As a result, she was moved to the office to handle bookkeeping. In that role, she gained more responsibilities, and Amy remarked, "I naturally gravitated toward finding ways to make processes more efficient. I began automating workflows and implementing technological solutions, which helped me discover not only an aptitude for technology but also a genuine passion for it. This led me to self-study for my first industry certification, the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)."
Earning that certification allowed Amy to transition into Network Engineering, where she spent 18 years working for various Managed Service Providers. This experience gave her the opportunity to engage with a wide range of technologies across different industries. Every day presented new challenges, especially when one morning she received a panicked call asking her to head to the airport to fix an airplane!
In 2012, Amy McMullin joined the iTECH family and significantly improved the CSIT and Cybersecurity programs. She stated, "The real-world experience I gained has been incredibly valuable in the classroom. I can share firsthand how different industries apply technology, which is one of the reasons I love working at a Technical College. It allows me to expose students not just to theory, but to real, practical applications of technology in the field."
When asked about her favorite aspect of teaching, she said, "The funny thing for someone who got into IT to avoid dealing with people is that my favorite part of teaching CSIT and Cybersecurity is making connections with the students and watching them grow from curious beginners to confident problem-solvers. These fields are constantly evolving, and I love showing students how the skills they’re learning—whether it’s virtualization, cloud networking, or defending against cyber threats—are real-world tools that matter."
Thanks to Amy's expertise, both high school and adult students have been able to attain industry-recognized certifications that stand out to tech employers. The IT department at CCPS has been impressed by the knowledge and hands-on experience students gain in the CSIT and Cybersecurity programs, resulting in multiple students being hired to work in IT for the district.
Not only is Amy a guiding light for students pursuing successful careers in technology, but she is also iTECH's MVP! When technical issues arise, Amy is always ready to assist. Her outstanding dedication to her students has been recognized, as she has been nominated for the 2025 Aspirations in Computing Educator Honorable Mention. With a warm heart, Amy expressed, "I’m honored to receive the 2025 Aspirations in Computing Educator Honorable Mention. This recognition means a great deal to me because I’m passionate about increasing the representation of young women in the field of IT. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made—not just in my own classroom, but also in the Technology Department at CCPS. It’s incredibly rewarding to see more young women gaining confidence, skills, and interest in technology, and I’m looking forward to continuing that momentum."
🏆 Congratulations Amy! Keep up the great work!
🌟 Rising Star student!
iTECH is proud to highlight the achievements of our students. Mary McMullin, a DE student in the Computer Systems & Information Technology (CSIT) program at iTECH, has been nominated for the 2025 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award as a Rising Star for the Southwest Florida Affiliate. In a male-dominated field like technology, it is inspiring to see our female students excel and encourage other girls to pursue their interests in computer technology
Next month will be an exciting time for Mary, as she is set to graduate from Naples High School. Additionally, having completed the CSIT program at iTECH, she will receive a certificate of completion in May. As she considers her educational future, Mary is looking into the Honors Colleges at Florida International University (FIU) or Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) for her undergraduate studies, and she plans to attend the University of Florida (UF) for veterinary school. She aims to major in Biomedical Engineering and ultimately earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
iTECH is proud of Mary, and we are all excited to see her succeed on her journey. Best wishes for your commendable career, Mary!
Hungry? Grab a bite to eat at iTown Café.
😋Ordering Online is easy as 1, 2, 3.
Place an order, receive an email or text that your order is ready for pickup, tell us what you are driving and we will bring out your order.
*Offered at the Immokalee Main Campus Only.
👨🏻🍳 This facility is ran and operated by the culinary students. Please be patient and kind.
💼 iTECH Glades is hiring!
iTECH Glades is now hiring a part-time nursing instructor for our evening class for the Nursing Assistant program!
Do you know someone fit for the job? Share this link:
For further questions, please contact
Christine Bearden at 239-377-9503.