Educator, Technologist,
Developer
Building the future through education and innovation
I'm Rick Rodriguez a computer science teacher, technology professional with over 22 years of experience in Open Source Web Development, and over 10 years of teaching in the Computer Science field at the high school level. As a lifelong learner based in Broward County, Florida. I bridge technology and education while staying deeply connected to my community.
About Me
From Technology to Education
I've spent over 22 years in the technology industry, developing websites, integrating payment solutions, and administering servers. My technical expertise spans PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, and comprehensive server administration.
In 2014, I transitioned to education, bringing my real-world technology experience into the classroom. Today, I'm a certified educator in Computer Science and Business Marketing in Florida, teaching courses in HTML & CSS, AI in the World, Apps of AI in the World, and other technology subjects at South Plantation High School. This year has been a particularly rewarding challenge — I was one of only three teachers in all of Broward County selected to teach both the Apps of AI in the World and AI in the World courses for students in grades 9 through 12.
My passion lies in teaching the next generation of technologists while continuing to innovate through personal projects. I develop educational tools and maintain multiple web platforms that serve both my students and the broader educational community.
I have always enjoyed coding, and lately that love has evolved into prompt engineering with AI. While I haven't been writing code directly as much recently, I use AI tools to generate new projects — both for personal purposes and to help my students go further in their learning. Leveraging AI to build and explore ideas has become an exciting part of how I stay creative and keep my curriculum cutting-edge.
When I'm not teaching or developing applications, I enjoy family time, traveling and vacationing. I also write about technology and current topics on my blog, aiming to make complex subjects accessible and foster meaningful discussions. I do enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions, specifically on some technology matters, but mostly to help those that do not understand certain topics.
Quick Facts
- 22+ years in technology
- 10+ years in education
- FL certified educator
- Computer Science teacher
- Marketing/Business Certified teacher
- AI in the World & Apps of AI instructor
- One of 3 Broward County AI course teachers
- AI prompt engineer & project builder
- Multiple certifications
- Based in Broward County, FL
Expertise & Certifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree, Florida International University
- Certified in Computer Science (Florida)
- Certified in Business Marketing (Florida)
Microsoft Certifications
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Word 2016
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2016
- Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint 2016
- Microsoft Technology Associate: HTML and CSS
- Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
Adobe Certified Professional
- Visual Design using Adobe Photoshop
- Print & Digital Media using Adobe InDesign
- Web Authoring using Adobe Dreamweaver
- Rich Animated Media using Adobe Animate
- Graphic Design using Adobe Illustrator
Programming & IT Specialist
- Information Technology Specialist: Python
- Information Technology Specialist: Java
- Information Technology Specialist: HTML and CSS
- Full LAMP stack development (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
- Server administration & security
Artificial Intelligence
- Azure AI-900 Certified
Values & Community
Family & Community First
I believe in the importance of the family unit, leading by example, and instilling values such as respect, work ethic, and environmental care. These principles guide both my personal life and my approach to education.
My family and I actively support the Broadview Park Civic Association, distributing food and gifts during the holidays and participating in county wide environmental initiatives. Giving back to our community is not just something we do it's who we are.
Digital Pass Application
Streamlining School Hall Pass Management
As an educator who understands technology, I developed the Digital Pass application to modernize and simplify hall pass management in schools. This web based tool helps teachers track student movements efficiently while maintaining accountability and safety in the school environment.
The Digital Pass system provides real time tracking, historical records, and an intuitive interface that makes managing student passes effortless. It's designed by an educator, for educators.
Let's Connect
Whether you have questions about technology, education, or want to discuss collaboration opportunities, I'd love to hear from you.