From the Band Hall to the Digital Classroom: Blending Arts, Tech, and UX to Empower Educators

If you had told me years ago that my work as a Fine Arts Department Head would lead me into instructional coaching, UX design, and creating TEKS-aligned video lessons using Apple tools, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But the journey from the band hall to the digital classroom has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career—and it’s taught me that empowering others starts with listening, adapting, and being unafraid to try something new.

From 2015 to 2021, I led the Fine Arts Department at Robert Vela High School in Edinburg, TX. During that time, I wasn’t just supporting lesson plans and performance, I became the go-to tech coach when COVID-19 changed everything. Teachers needed help fast: setting up online classrooms, learning Google Classroom and Canvas, and creating content that could keep students engaged through a screen.

That’s where I found my calling. I helped teachers set up their home offices, microphones, document cameras, OBS for the adventurous ones, and taught them how to create and edit instructional videos using iMovie, Final Cut Pro, and Logic Pro. I coached them on everything from splicing footage to syncing high-quality audio, but more importantly, I supported their confidence. We worked together to align content with TEKS, ensure accessibility, and embrace the creative side of teaching in a whole new way.

After stepping into UX design and curriculum development, I started viewing classrooms the way a designer sees users: with empathy, curiosity, and a focus on experience. Whether supporting first-year teachers or leading PD sessions, I started asking, “How can we make this easier, more meaningful, and more engaging for both the teacher and the student?”

Now, I’m an Apple Teacher pursuing the Apple Learning Coach program. It’s an opportunity to grow as an instructional coach and to continue building professional learning experiences that are personalized, practical, and powerful. I believe Apple tools can transform not just what we teach, but how we support the people doing the teaching.

My education philosophy is rooted in equity, creativity, and differentiation. Every teacher has a different story, just like every student, and my goal is to help them all thrive using the best tools and strategies available. Technology, when used with intention, can bridge gaps, spark joy, and create a classroom where every learner feels seen.

From the fine arts stage to the virtual space, I’ve seen how transformative a little coaching, a lot of heart, and the right tools can be.

I hope my story helps or inspires someone out there to keep going, strive for the highest, and never stop learning.