Key Facts
Background
Melissa Ortega earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, a master’s degree in education, and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Ortega teaches Introduction to Women’s Studies and Global Feminisms courses in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department and has previously taught Science Education courses in the College of Education. She also works for the El Paso Independent School District as the Assistant Director of Staff Development.
Dr. Ortega is the recipient of the Distinguished Leadership award in 2018, the InterGender Research School in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies Scholarship in 2011, and the Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Portfolio Award in 2010.
Her work has appeared in journals such as the American Institute for Higher Education, Society for Informational Technology and Teacher Education, and i-manager’s Journal of Educational Technology.
Key Issues
State Curriculum
Dr. Ortega wishes to emphasize the role of STEM education in the state curriculum, establishing a practical and methodological background for students. She intends to continue facilitating curriculum writing, district testing and accountability, and the district science fair.
Testing
Dr. Ortega believes that local school districts should be the only people who receive State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness data and use it for internal diagnostic processes only. She wishes to identify the strengths and areas for improvement for teachers.
Teachers
Dr. Ortega supports measures to ensure that teachers are highly qualified SBEC certified. She believes that Texan teachers should undergo the rigorous process of completing an approved Texas Educator Preparation Program sanctioned by the state of Texas.
Teacher-Student Ratios
Dr. Ortega supports low teacher-student ratios to enhance the learning experience. She wishes to cultivate a more positive class culture through small class sizes to help students focus, allow teachers to provide deeper, more robust instruction, with more one-on-one attention, more personalized feedback.
Endorsements
Georgina Perez, Current TX State Board of Education District 1 Representative
Black El Paso Democrats
Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats
Westside Democrats of El Paso
Sources
https://www.utep.edu/liberalarts/women-studies/people/melissa-ortega.html
https://ballotpedia.org/Melissa_Ortega
https://www.drmelissaortega4txsboe1.com/issues
https://www.ace.edu/about/faculty/faculty-detail/melissa-ortega