I have attended Wharton County Junior College, Victoria College, University of Houston-Victoria, University of Texas-Arlington, and Sam Houston State University. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Houston-Victoria and will have a Master in Library Science from Sam Houston State University in May 2009. I hold a Technology Certification to teach junior and senior high grade levels. I am a member of the following organizations: International Society for Technology in Education, National Business Education Association, Texas Computer Educators Association, Texas Library Association, Texas American Federation of Teachers, and West Wharton County Crime Stoppers.
I am married to Daniel Juranek, a row-crop farmer in Wharton County. I have two children who have both graduated from high school. My youngest child is presently attending Wharton County Junior College.
I believe in preparing students for continuing their education after high school and throughout their lives with the use of computers and reading materials. Computers and reading materials continue to be primary sources for information, knowledge, and entertainment. The world is becoming very technology oriented and with the constant update of new programs, materials, and technology devices, students need to become very familiar with basic Microsoft concepts to easily transfer their knowledge to other programs which will be introduced to them later. They also need to be taught ethical use of this technology regarding copyright and good business practices along with the enforcement of WISD's Appropriate Use Policy (AUP).
I take classes, am a member of several listservs, monitor blogs, and read technology and educational related materials in an effort to keep updated with current trends and new technology appliances. The most popular trends include social networking and business practices that can involve the use photo editing, blogging, wikis, wigits, nings, tweets, digital storage use both through the use of Jump or Flash drives and online storage locations, and much more. I will introduce some of these concepts to 8th grade students to help them prepare for their future in both school and the business world.
