At first look, Javier seems a typical smart, athletic, and well-mannered young technology guru of a very large Texas school district. He offers smiles to everyone he meets. But lying beneath that friendly and cheerful exterior lays the brain of a mental giant. A child born of Mexican parents, his parents were not afforded the luxury of a college education or exposure to advances of technology. However, that did not stop them from pushing Javier to achieve his dreams of obtaining a degree in Computer System Management while being a successful basketball player.
With 19 years of experience in public education, Javier has dedicated his career to helping students and educators succeed through innovation and technology. He is currently the IT Director for Santa Maria ISD, where he continues to lead efforts to enhance digital learning and improve access to technology for all.
Beyond Javier's academic and technology excellence, he is a giving soul. Javier looks forward to sharing his journey of escaping violence and corruption with hopes of increased economic and educational opportunities. His story highlights the many challenges he faced upon arriving to the United States as a non-English speaking teenager in America—language barriers, lack of access to health insurance, discrimination, and exploitation. He shares life as a Mexican teenager in public education in America with all the inherent social problems of bullying, disconnection, frustration, and frequent confusion.
Now as a bilingual speaker, consultant, and trainer on subjects of Anti-Bullying, Responsible Digital Citizenship, and Reaching Your Goals, he shares how success can be achieved in the most unusual ways for all young people and adults, especially those with Mexican, Hispanic, and Latino heritage. Javier demonstrates how hard work, drive, and determination can open doors for anyone—as they have for him and countless others.
