About Me
Ivan Silva is an experienced educator and leader with over a decade of experience in the fields of communication, education, and journalism. He holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies and multiple professional certifications, including a Graduate Certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication. Currently pursuing his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Ivan’s academic and professional expertise spans K-12 education, higher education, and professional development.
At Jimmy Carter Early College High School (JCECHS), Ivan has launched the RedGoldNews Student Publications, a multifaceted platform that includes a student-run podcast, a student social media account that covers student life, and an online newspaper showcasing student work. He has also spearheaded key campus events such as the Community Dia de los Muertos Altar and the Jimmy Carter Legacy Project, where students create research papers, artwork, and multimedia presentations to honor the 100th birthday of President Jimmy Carter. Additionally, Ivan co-organizes the biannual School Mercado and carnival, fostering a strong sense of community.
As part of his role, Ivan has overseen, managed, and developed a comprehensive recruitment program that leverages student-created marketing materials, visuals, graphics, and presentations. This initiative highlights students’ talents, enhances the school’s outreach efforts, and strengthens community engagement.
As a UIL Coordinator and journalism coach, Ivan has led students to success in regional and state competitions. His emphasis on leadership, student engagement, and creativity provides a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally.
Ivan also serves as an adjunct lecturer at South Texas College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, teaching communication courses such as Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Introduction to Mass Communication. His experience in course design and digital marketing adds further depth to his instructional expertise, benefiting high school and college students.
Through his dedication to mentorship, Ivan has guided students to succeed in prestigious academic programs and competitions, such as the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program and various UIL State contests. His leadership and commitment to student achievement, innovation, and community building continue to inspire young professionals.
- Graduate Certificate in Media Relations & Strategic Communication, University of Texas-Pan American, December 2011
- Graduate Certificate in Training and Consulting, University of Texas-Pan American, May 2012
- UTPA NSF Intellectual Property: Copyright and Patents Program, National Science Foundation, University of Texas-Pan American, November 2011
- Google Level 1 Educator Certification
- Google Level 1 Educator Certification
- Adobe Creative Educator Level 1
- Generalist (EC-6)
- English Language Arts and Reading (4-8)
- Journalism (8-12)
- Speech (7-12)
- Business and Finance (6-12)
- Technology Education (6-12)
- Bilingual Edu Supplemental-Spanish (EC-12)
- GT 30 Hours Training
- TESA
- SIOP
- ELPS
- TEA Reading Academy
Experience
K-12 Teaching
AV Production, Jimmy Carter Early College HS, La Joya ISD 2018-Present
Interpersonal Communication Dual Enrollment, Jimmy Carter Early College HS, La Joya ISD 2018-Present
Professional Communication Dual Enrollment, Jimmy Carter Early College HS, La Joya ISD, 2017-Present
Journalism, Jimmy Carter Early College HS, La Joya ISD, 2017-2018
Fifth Grade, John F. Kennedy Elementary, La Joya ISD, 2015-2017
Fourth Grade, John F. Kennedy Elementary, La Joya ISD, 2012-2015
Texas Success Initiative, Fifth Grade Summer School, La Joya ISD, 2013-2015
Secondary
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Adjunct Lecturer I 2016-2022
Communication 1311 – Intro to Communication
Communication 1307 – Intro to Mass Communication
Communication 1315 – Public Speaking
South Texas College, Adjunct Lecturer I, 2017-Present
Speech 1311 – Intro to Comm
Speech 1315 – Public Speaking
Speech 1318 – Interpersonal Communication
Speech 1307 – Introduction to Mass Communication
Instructor & Course Designer, Introduction to Digital Marketing, 2016-2017
UTRGV Continuing Education
Instructor & Course Designer, Certificate in Digital Marketing, Fall 2015
UTRGV Continuing Education
ACT Instructor, 2013-2017
Knowsys Educational Services, L.L.C. / UTPA Continuing Education
Instructor & Course Designer, Certificate in Web Design – Photoshop, 2013-2017
UTPA Continuing Education
GRE Instructor, 2013-2017
Knowsys Educational Services, L.L.C. / UTPA Continuing Education
SAT Instructor, 2012-2017
Knowsys Educational Services, L.L.C. / UTPA Continuing Education
LSAT Instructor, 2012-2017
Knowsys Educational Services, L.L.C. / UTPA Continuing Education
- RedGoldNews Advisor: Launched and advised the student-run publication, which includes a podcast, social media, and online newspaper.
- Event Organizer: Spearheaded key campus events, including the Community Dia de los Muertos Altar, Jimmy Carter Legacy Project, and biannual School Mercado and carnival.
- UIL Coordinator and Coach: Led and coached students in various UIL journalism competitions, guiding them to regional and state-level success.
- Recruitment Program Developer: Managed a student-led recruitment program incorporating marketing, visuals, graphics, and presentations for school outreach.
- Committee Leadership: Served in various leadership roles, such as Senior Class Sponsor, DEIC Campus Representative, and Student Placement Committee Teacher Representative.
Conference Presentations
UIL Capital Conference 2024: Presented strategies and best practices for building a dedicated team for UIL academic success, focusing on team-building, communication, and leadership skills.
UIL Capital Conference 2024: Shared lessons learned from establishing successful journalism programs, covering planning, curriculum development, and student engagement.
UIL Capital Conference 2017: Participated in sessions discussing best practices in journalism and communication for UIL competitions.
Apple Technology Integration Academy 2016: Presented on integrating Apple technology into classroom instruction to enhance student engagement.
La Joya ISD Career & Technical Education In-service 2018: Shared best practices for CTE education and incorporating communication skills into career-focused learning.
UIL Journalism Coach: Regularly facilitated workshops for students in UIL journalism categories, including Copy Editing, Headline Writing, News Writing, and Editorial Writing.
Blackboard Training for High School Teachers 2017: Presented the benefits of using Blackboard as a learning management system to enhance classroom instruction.
Recruitment Media Development: Led training sessions on using media and student-generated content for recruitment and outreach in education.
Region One Tech2Connect, May 2017: A Spark in the ELA Classroom: Using Adobe Spark to Enhance Comprehension
La Joya ISD: EdTech Institute 2018 July 2018: Integrating Apple Classroom and Schoolwork into Instruction and Routines
La Joya ISD: EdTech Institute 2017 July 2017: A Spark in the ELA Classroom