Liana Huezo joined the DOT USA Team in 2008 as an Intern Support Manager under the Recovery School District Grant in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Liana, a New Orleans native, was eager to take part in the exciting possibilities the TeachUp! Program would offer the schools of the Recovery School District.

“It is a great honor to be a part of this significant undertaking,” said Liana. “I pass my passion and optimism for this program and for a thriving New Orleans on to the Interns who were chosen to take on this challenge.”

Liana attended Louisiana State University (LSU), majoring in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. Before joining the DOT USA Staff, Liana worked in the juvenile correctional system as a counselor and manager of a dorm of 14 youth.

Liana was attending LSU when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans.  To escape the storm, her family relocated to Texas while Liana remained in Baton Rouge to ride out the storm.

“This was a very trying time for me and my family,” said Liana. “We were separated for a month without knowing anything about the state of our home. When the water cleared and the city was reopened, we returned to the unknown.”

Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, leaving the city’s citizens to pick up the pieces. Although the storm’s effects were terrible and widespread, it called much needed attention to the deficits in New Orleans’ public education system. The Recovery School District (RSD) bounced back from Hurricane Katrina with a plan to revitalize the state of public education in New Orleans. In 2008, the Recovery School District (RSD) enlisted the help of DOT USA to empower teachers in 20 RSD Schools in the usage of technology.  Liana learned about the efforts underway with the RSD and began researching DOT USA.

“Through my research I found that this program has a ripple effect that could grant opportunities beyond those who could afford a private education,” said Liana. “There was no hesitation in my decision to join this wonderful team.”

Liana currently manages all 20 TeachUp! Interns working within the Recovery School District. The Interns work each day to not only implement technology into classrooms, but also to equip teachers with the confidence and knowledge to use that technology in ways that will engage their students.

“Many of the Interns working in these schools are filled with an incredible amount of enthusiasm,” said Liana. “They come from all different types of educational backgrounds and each possess a unique talent. My hopes are that they offer the teachers enough information to help them become self-reliant on technology implementation. Students who move on from the New Orleans educational system will now have a greater chance to compete in the workforce locally and nationally.“

“New Orleans is a city rich with culture, history and diversity,” said Liana.  The state of education in New Orleans is changing with the help of the Recovery School District, and through her work with DOT USA, Liana is excited to be a part of that change.