Professional Summary
A multidisciplinary educator and professional with a background in film production, software design, and digital media. I specialize in delivering hands-on, project-based learning experiences that foster student agency and creative confidence. With experience ranging from K-5 STEM in high-needs urban environments to preparatory and collegiate media courses, I am dedicated to meeting students where they are, providing safe and inclusive classrooms, and empowering them to build real-world skills and tangible portfolios.
Teaching Specializations
Teaching Pedagogy
There are many ways to teach—my favorite is project-based learning. I like when students find agency over the projects they are working on - see it through - and learn a vast array of skills along the way. My goal, primarily, is to meet students where they are and give them something real to build.
- Project-Based Learning: Emphasizing hands-on, real-world projects that allow students to apply their skills in practical contexts. Each project serves as a personal learning journey, combining guided problem solving challenges with a high dose of student led vision.
- Student Ownership: Creating an environment where students take full ownership of their work and learning process. This includes setting personal goals, managing project timelines, and developing their unique creative voice. By the end of our time together, each student should have something tangible to share—whether it's a personal website, a portfolio of work, or a live project they can showcase.
- Safe, Inclusive Classrooms: I’m trained in CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) and believe that clear expectations and de-escalation support learning for everyone. A calm, predictable environment—especially in high-need settings—lets curiosity and creativity thrive.
- Iterative Development: Teaching through rapid prototyping and continuous feedback cycles. Students learn to refine their work through multiple iterations, incorporating feedback and improving their designs through an interactive development process.
I hope that this approach will help students develop both the technical skills and the creative confidence, to face the ever changing digital real-world challenge.
Recent Student Work Highlights
A recent selection of student creations from my STEM classes at Barnum Public Schools : Artifacts from inquiry-based STEM units and 3D design units.
Teaching Experience
Barnum Public Schools (August 2025 – June 2026)
Position: STEM Specialist — Grades 1–5
Setting: Lower-income urban schools. Trained in CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention).
Teach five classes per day with 20–30 students per class. Deliver hands-on STEM curriculum tailored to elementary learners in high-need environments.
Learn-at-home website: Built a website for students to access lessons, activities, and resources from home— with the hope that their work will extend beyond the classroom.
Student work: Students develop 3D digital creations using Tinkercad and 3D printing.
Choate Rosemary Hall (2023)
Position: Instructor
Courses Taught:
- Filmmaking II
- Digital Photography I
- Digital Photography II
Developed curriculum for digital filmmaking and photography courses. By the end of the semester, students created original artwork and film and created a portfolio piece to share.
SUNY New Paltz (2019-2022)
Position: Adjunct Media Professor
Taught colleigiate cohorts in website development and design. Students focused on modern design principles - brand recognition psychology - color theory - and in the end, created their own unique startup company.
Jacob Burns Film Center (2016-2018)
Position: Adjunct Film Professor
Instructioned students in film production and digital media, with a focus on storytelling and technical proficiency.
Workspace Academy (2017)
Position: Adjunct Professor
Led courses in virtual reality design where students created their own virtual reality worlds using Unreal Engine. Focusing primarily on unconventional player movement and navigation - students learned conditional logic and coding - and refine their prototypes until it works just right.
Public Library Programs (2015-2019)
Positions: Digital Media Instructor
Locations:
- Ridgefield Library
- Yonkers Library
- Sleepy Hollow Library
- New Haven Library
- Bethel Library
Developed and led workshops in digital media, coding, and creative technology for diverse age groups. Created accessible programs that introduced community members to digital tools and creative expression.
After-School Programs (2015-2020)
Positions: Technology & Media Instructor
Led multiple after-school programs across Connecticut and New York, teaching digital media production, coding, and creative technology to K-12 students. Focused on project-based learning and hands-on experience with modern digital tools.
Full Resume
Alex Gonzalez
Creative Director | Filmmaker | Software Designer
Professional Summary
A multidisciplinary professional with a background in film production, software design, and business. Proven ability to lead creative teams, mentor students, and deliver long-term projects in innovative and technical fields.
Recent Work Experience
- Product Designer at Silverback via ApeWorX, LTD (2023–2025)
- Executive Digital Platform Director at Mission Anabaino (2023)
- Product Designer at ApeWorX (2022–2023)
- Creative Director at ApeWorX (2021–2022)
- Founder and Chief at Ahoy Indie Media (2022–Present)
- AV Director at CPC New Haven (2020–Present)
Teaching Experience
- Barnum Public Schools (August 2025 – June 2026). STEM Teacher, Grades 1–5. Lower-income urban schools; CPI trained. Five classes daily, 20–30 students per class. Built a complete learn-at-home website for students; curriculum includes student photography and 3D creations.
- Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford, CT (2023). Courses Taught: Digital Filmmaking II, Digital Photography I, Digital Photography II
- SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY (2019–2021). Courses Taught: Digital Filmmaking II, Digital Photography I, Digital Photography II
- Wilton Library – Maker Program, Wilton, CT (2019). Courses Taught: VR World Building
- Workspace Academy, Bethel, CT (2019). Courses Taught: Immersive Storytelling, VR Production
- New Haven Ives Squared – Maker Program, New Haven, CT (2018). Courses Taught: Immersive Storytelling, VR World Building
- Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, NY (2017–2019). Courses Taught: Adventures in Media, Immersive Storytelling, Podcast People, Camera Tricks
- Ridgefield Library, Ridgefield, CT (2018). Courses Taught: Making Magic from Scratch, Immersive Storytelling
- Yonkers Public Library, Yonkers, NY (2017–2018). Courses Taught: Making Magic from Scratch
- Coding Kidz, NY, NY (2016–2017). Courses Taught: Making Magic from Scratch
- Tarrytown Summer Challenge Camp, Tarrytown, NY (2015–2018). Courses Taught: Making Magic from Scratch
Recent Media Projects
- Creatures in the Tall Grass — In preproduction. Feature-length film (90 min)
- Poets and Friends — Organizes and hosts a monthly poetry event
- Tyler needs a break — A video podcast about mental health, music, and art
- Beyond the Sunday Sermon - Audio Podcast (2024-Present)
- Editor and Colorist for Dallas (2025), Childlike Studios
- Editor and Media Director for Ahoy Indie Media Live Shows (2025)
- Producer | Director | Editor for The Rob Show (2022–2025)
- Director | Editor for Silverback Trailer (2023)
- Director | Editor for Pantalones Cinematic Skatefilm Opening (2023)
- Director | Editor for ChaosNet Trailer (2023)
Tangible Skills
- Developing Custom LLMs using OpenAI and oLamma APIs
- Developing Python applications integrated with open-source AI models
- Bulk video editing automation
- Index creation and data monitoring
- Virtual Reality Development (Unreal Engine 4 & 5, APK Development for Oculus Quest & Android)
- Film & Video Production (Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, After Effects)
- Web & App Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Cordova, Alpine.js, Git Version Control)
- Software Programming (OOP, Objective-C, Python for UI apps and internal systems)
- UI/UX Design (Responsive design, various CSS & JS frameworks, Figma)
- Business & Marketing (Writing business plans, campaign strategies)
- Problem-Solving (Troubleshooting, debugging, performance optimization, web security)
- Team Collaboration (Remote and in-person leadership for creative & technical projects)
Selected Achievements
- Launched Ahoy Indie Media App Platform and Debuted a Live Variety Show (2025)
- Winner of 2022 ETH DENVER Vega HACKATHON
- Creative-in-Residence, New Haven Public Library (2018)
- Maker-in-Residence, Ridgefield Library (2018)
- Creative Culture Fellowship, Creative Culture Program – Jacob Burns (2017)
- Middlebury Film Festival Acceptance – Beyond the Mountain (VR Film, 2017)
Other Material
Student Portal:
mrg-stem.netlify.app
A learning portal I created for my students to
access STEM lessons and projects from home.
Project Showcase
A showcase of the things we build in the classroom, including student creations, prototypes, and immersive Unreal Engine workshops.
