Online and Hybrid IT & Network Systems Training

Teaching at Laurus since 2015

“Learning is fun”; that is the philosophy that Steven lives and teaches by. He retired from Chrysler after working there for 20 years as an executive in their Military and Public Electronics Division. Steven has a Bachelor’s Degree from Athens State University and an Associate Degree from Stautzenberger College.

Steven has been teaching and mentoring in both the corporate and academia for over 20 years, bringing both his enthusiasm and energy into the classroom to empower and motivate his students. Steven loves technology and is excited about training the next generation of Information Technology professionals.

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Teaching at Laurus since 2013

Mindful of mechanics, Songpol longs to understand the materials that construct our technological world. Pursuing IT as his career, he has achieved a Bachelor of Science from Cal State Northridge and certifications from vendors such as Microsoft, CompTIA, Certiport, Pearson VUE, and Prometric. With over five years of experience training technicians, Songpol’s greatest reward is to watch his students prosper in the IT and Networking industry.

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Tedi Jones began his career at Laurus College in 2010 as an instructor in the Professional Business Support program where he spent time instructing students in courses from Project Management to PowerPoint. Tedi possesses a B.A. Degree in Sociology (2016, Ashford University), along with a CompTIA A+ certification (2010), CompTIA Network+ certification (2010), Security Pro, and 77-881 Microsoft Office Word (2010) certification. His experience includes responsibilities ranging from maintaining and troubleshooting computer systems configure and verify network functionality and access control mechanisms to multi-faceted data communication networks in LAN and WAN environments, among others.

Tedi also earned honors as NAF’s Employee of Year, (2002) and AAFES Employee of the Quarter, (1997). However, Tedi is most proud of his service as an Ameri-Corp Volunteer while attending Yakima Valley Community College (1993-1995) where he tutored participants in the after-school program.

Tedi Jones has a passion for technology, innovation, and learning which is why he enjoys his career as an instructor in the IT and Network Systems department at Laurus College.

Teaching at Laurus since 2015

I have been in the IT field for over 15 years, starting as a help desk technician when I was in college for my Bachelor’s degree. One of the main reasons I joined the field was the chance to always learn. Technology is always changing, and there is always something new to learn.

My teaching philosophy is that everyone can learn, although everyone learns in different ways. As long as a student has the drive and determination to success, they will.

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An Information Technologist with over with 15+ years of experience in software development, product/project management, data management, information security, and leadership. Alice earned her bachelor’s in computer science & Quantitative Methods from the University of St. Thomas, St Paul, MN and currently pursuing her master’s in healthcare management with a concentration in Medical & Healthcare Information Technology at the University of Denver.

My teaching philosophy is to impact students with the necessary knowledge & understanding needed to help them stay relevant in an ever-evolving industry.

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Teaching at Laurus since 2016

Ivan Gonzalez earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science at the Institute of Technology and Superior Studies in Monterrey, Mexico. He has more than 28 years of experience working in the IT field in Silicon Valley and has managed the IT group for the Department of Roads and Airports with the County of Santa Clara for the past 18 years. Ivan became an IT Instructor at Laurus College in May of 2016 and truly enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with our students.

Teaching at Laurus since 2016

Randall earned his Bachelor’s degree in English writing from California State University, Northridge. He is a former technical writer with years of experience in corporate environments. He always liked working with computers and earned his associate’s degree in Information Technologies & Network Systems at Laurus in 2016. He tutored Laurus students as a Peer Mentor.

He has his CompTIA A+ certification and multiple TestOut certifications.
He enjoys learning technology and spending time with his family.
He prepares his students to thrive in white-collar environments and wants to see every one of his students succeed beyond their wildest hopes.

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Teaching at Laurus since 2016

I have over 20 years of experience in the IT field working for both the public and private sectors in positions such as System Administrator, Network Engineer, and in Computer Forensics. Working in IT gives you the ability to work in multiple industry sectors as computers have become integrated into nearly all aspects of the business community.

I hold multiple IT certifications including CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network +, Microsoft Certified System Engineer, and Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician

I graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Industrial Technology, and I obtained a graduate certificate for Advanced Study in Digital Forensics from the University of Rhode Island, as well as a Career Technical Education Teaching Credential from Fresno Pacific University. In my spare time I have developed and published two Apps on the Google Play store.

Allen N. Polfer has been professionally involved for over 27+ years in Information Technology. While the last five years has also include instructing students, during which he has helped them understand the need to learn the complex world of informational technology and have fun.

He has developed skills with IT infrastructures, related to IT and Networking Technology solutions with leading edge programs and software. He has had extensive computer and networking experience while designing and developing curriculum, lesson materials, and providing instruction as well.

As a staff member at Laurus College, he has provided live lectures and synchronous instruction on site and online on ten separate subjects pertaining to IT and Networking. He has also provided professional consulting services to many businesses including wineries, Appraisal firms, and Medical Offices.

His professional services for clients have included Network Administration, POS Systems, Quick Books, Fiber, Cloud Services, network infrastructures and many others. He is Officially Certified in RMF, OPSEC, Ethical Hacker Training, Windows Server Administration and many others.

With the delivery of my very first computer, a TRS-80, customized so that I could plug an Atari joystick controller in the keyboard, was my introduction into Information Technology. From that moment forward until now, I have been captivated by the power of technology, its systems and the power of information that delivers a world of knowledge to people around the globe. I started my career helping others troubleshoot their systems and was given the privilege of working with an IBM AS400 server. I have been actively working in information technology with various roles such as computer support, analyst, systems administrator and consultant for over 20 years.

Education

• B.S. Information & Management Systems Peru State College Peru, NE 2014
• M.S. Instructional Design & Technology California State University Monterey Bay Seaside, CA 2016
• M.S. CyberSecurity Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE 2019

My teaching philosophy is to create an environment where students can obtain knowledge to also be able to apply it. Teaching is an art form that is not only up to the instructor to deliver the correct information but the student has to want to learn and then apply what they learn. Teaching is a reciprocal relationship between teacher and student, conducted in an environment that is conducive to active learning. This relationship stands on the responsibility that both student and teacher are ready, engaged, motivated, prepared and apply their knowledge to course content from prior and present classes.

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My name is Vance W. Vorathavorn and I have been in the IT field for over 20 years. I started my career as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and have worked in several different areas of IT ranging from help desk, desktop support, system administration, server administration, database, scripting, packing, system engineering to now managing a team of Engineers and Desktop Support Technicians for Keck Medicine of USC. I believe we all learn at a different pace and in different ways. What motivated me to grow in the IT field was the flexibility to not only utilize my technical skills but also to apply my customer service abilities. Although I got my first certifications by doing self-study, I went back and got my degree, as I learned how valuable it was in my career.

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Shamikka has a background in military satellite communications and currently works as a Network Engineer for the Department of Defense. She has a Bachelor’s in IT and a Master’s in Management of Information Systems from the University of Phoenix.

Shamikka has been teaching for 3 years in cybersecurity and IT & Networking Technologies. She has several industry certifications including CISSP, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (Server 2008), Cisco CCNA, CASP, Security+, Network+, and Linux+.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “ The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Shamikka firmly believes in this principle and has chosen teaching as her way of advancing it!