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.

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 MBA in IT Management (2021, WGU), 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.

Christina Mason have been in the IT field for over 15 years, starting as a help desk technician while in college for her Bachelor’s degree. Ms. Mason says that one of the main reasons she joined the field was the chance to always learn. Technology is always changing, and there is always something new to learn.

Ms. Mason’s teaching philosophy is that everyone can learn, although everyone learns in different ways. As long as a student has the drive and determination to succeed, they will.

Christina enjoys all manner of electronics, and is into MMORPG gaming, as well as console gaming. She takes advantage of her beautiful PNW surroundings in WA, in the form of kayaking, hiking and beach combing, with her dogs.

Ms. Mason has been teaching college level classes, both on-campus and online, since 2009, and enjoys the variety of students that she has met along the way.

Teaching at Laurus since 2015

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.

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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John Sparks has over 25 years of experience in the IT field working in both public and private sectors in positions such as System Administrator, Network Engineer, and in Computer Forensics.

Mr. Sparks notes that a career 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. Mr. Sparks has taught IT courses for over 10 years and has received numerous Federal Government awards for his work as a Sr. Forensic Examiner – IT Specialist to include: Great Casework by a Team, Digital Evidence Section Employee of the Month, Time Off Awards, and Above and Beyond Awards. Mr. Sparks enjoys IT security research at Laurus College and has provided bug and vulnerability feedback to Microsoft.

Mr. Sparks graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Industrial Technology, and 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. He holds multiple IT certifications including CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Certified System Engineer, and Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and staying active with cycling by completing multiple Century (100 mile) rides. He has also developed and published 2 apps formerly on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Teaching at Laurus College since 2016.

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.

The delivery of his very first computer, a TRS-80, customized so that he could plug an Atari joystick controller in the keyboard, was Michael Courter’s introduction into Information Technology. From that moment forward until now, he has 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. Mr. Courter started his career helping others troubleshoot their systems and was given the privilege of working with an IBM AS400 server. Michael has 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

Michael Courter’s 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!

I have a passion for technology, teaching, and learning.  I have worked as a Programmer Analyst, UNIX Support Representative, Product Analyst – UNIX, Technical Instructor, IT Auditor, and IT Security Specialist

I’m a firm believer in the Hear, See, Do and Say philosophy.  What I mean by this is the students need to “Hear” what you have to say about a subject, and then they need to “See” the material in action, and then they need to “Do” the material.  Finally they need to “Say” the material; this may include tests, oral presentations, lab-based tests where they are questioned, and even coming to the instructor’s computer and doing some of the hands-on material in front of the class.  Another philosophy I have is if I can learn it, I can teach it, if I can teach it, you can do it.

Academics:

• Doctor of Education degree in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University
• MS in Computer Information Systems
• MBA
• BBA
• Currently seeking Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
• I have authored/co-authored 10 Information Technology (IT) industry books, in the areas of networking, programming, and operating systems.

My career started working in the US Army, Recon. I had various position, including an Army Recruiter, Drill Sgt., NBCNCO, and an Instructor. While in the military I started to take computer courses in data processing and once retiring from the military worked on mainframes.

I continued with my education receiving my master’s degree in MIS. I started teaching college courses in Buffalo, NY part-time. I taught various computer courses such as, computer security, servers, networks, and just about every computer course you can think of. My experience working as a Systems Administrator, Network Admin, Help Desk, Manager of Systems Intergration to my present job as a Programmer/Analyst has given me a well-rounded knowledge base of computer.

I like teaching because it allows me to help students and be able to pass my knowledge base along to other people. I would like the next generation of students to have that knowledge and be to be successful in their careers.

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