Our Vision
Imagine a technically literate society, a globally competitive workforce, life-long learners, active and involved citizens, and equal opportunity learning. That is the vision of TECH CORPS Texas, and we’ve chosen K-12 schools and youth-serving organizations as the vehicle through which to achieve it.
TECH CORPS Texas is a Houston-based 501(c)3 social enterprise dedicated to enhancing education through technology in order to help ensure that today’s students complete their education and are prepared to complete in the global workforce.
TECH CORPS Texas is the only program of its kind in the state. We work to accomplish our goals through the implementation of quality technology education programs on school campuses throughout Texas, and through the redeployment of quality refurbished computers to schools, organizations, and individuals, including our proud military veterans. Since our launch in May, 2002, TECH CORPS Texas programs, computers, and/or volunteers have been in more than 60 schools statewide and redployed more than 3000 computers into schools, organizations, and to individuals.
We invite you to learn more about our organization by clicking the links on your left, and thank you for stopping by!
  
TECH CORPS Texas (TCTX) is proud to be a recognized partner in Houston's Adult Alternative103.7 FM’s Earth Day Celebration 2010!
April 22nd marks the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day Celebration. From April 12th-22nd, 103.7 FM will highlight how ten Houston area non-profit charity/recycling organizations are making a difference, making the Earth a better place. You can join in the celebration, help the environment, and help area youth by taking part in our Earth Day Computer Recycling Drive this Thursday, April 22nd. Take a moment to gather up and clear out your (un)used computers, parts and peripherals and drop them off with our recycling partner, Technocycle, at 6600 Long Point, #103, Houston, TX 77055.
We will be there from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to receive your donations and thank you for contributing to making Earth a cleaner, greener, safer home for all of our children. Plus Johnny Bravo from Houston's Adult Alternative 103.7 FM will be on hand from 11:30 - 1:00 broadcasting live. Best of all, participants have a chance to win tickets to see Jack Johnson live in concert!
Also, tune into 103.7 FM and Steve Robinson’s morning show on Thursday, April, 22 at 7:20 AM when TECH CORPS Texas President Danny Perry takes to the air to talk about the green recycling work TCTX is doing.
  
You may be surprised to learn that TCTX has deployed over 4,000 refurbished computers in the past few years, primarily in the Houston and Dallas school districts, but also to groups such as Children's Defense Fund, the Jicarilla Apache Department of Education in Dulce, NM, to schools in the San Francisco, CA Unified School Districts, to military veterans in partnership with the American Legion, and to community groups in Piedras Negras, Mexico for the establishment of community technology centers, among many others.
Hear also how 3rd-12th grade students are being impacted by educational programs that train on all aspects of computer technology – including how to rebuild, install, and maintain computer systems - in labs that have often been built and equipped with TCTX refurbished machines. TCTX offers programs that introduce elementary students to smart computer usage, middle school students to help desk technologies, and high school students to technology career exploration.
Learn how you can get involved in extending the lives of computers, expanding the horizons of children, and building community partnerships that enhance the smart growth of kids and smart (re)use of technology.
See you on Earth Day!
With the economy faltering and community and business leaders searching for the means to secure a brighter future, the relationship between current executives and the student population, representing the workforce of tomorrow, has never been so important. To help facilitate a positive relationship built on mutual understanding, more than 150 local business and community leaders, including Executive Director of TECH CORPS Texas, Danny Perry, joined forces as a part of the HISD’s 6th annual “Principal for a Day” initiative.
The 153 guest principals were able to walk a mile in a HISD principal’s shoes in order to better comprehend the issues that Houston public schools face, as the nation’s seventh largest school district. Because economic development depends on the public school systems effectively preparing students to be the workforce of tomorrow, the local leaders of today were encouraged to share their experiences, in order to make students aware of the opportunities that await them. TECH CORPS Texas leader, Danny Perry, attended The Leaders Academy Charter School, an institution founded 3 years ago with the help of 140 computers donated by TECH CORPS Texas in an effort to equip 4 classrooms with the necessary technology to support a computer-based curriculum. “When they assigned the schools,” says Perry, “I was very excited to find out I would be visiting Leaders Academy, it was a huge concrete area when we started [3 years ago] and it was awesome to see how far they had come.”
Targeted as a credit recovery school for student’s grades 9-12, Leaders Academy has evolved its model to help students go above and beyond expectations, assisting students with credit acceleration for those who want to take control of their education and forge ahead, or even graduate early. In spite of a dedicated student population, Leaders Academy still tackles the same issues that all public schools face. “Shortly after arriving,” says Perry, “I sat in on a staff meeting, and listened to an exhaustive agenda in which we brainstormed ways to answer problems such as drop-out recovery, and new initiatives to take.”
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TECH CORPS Texas’ successful summer program, The Community Help Desk, is moving to local charter school Leader’s Academy. Beginning January 11, the program, at no cost to students, will last 2 hours a day three times a week, until the end of the school year, giving students the extended access and increased exposure to technology they need to complete the curriculum. The special curriculum designed to engage students through intensive technology education coursework, supervised learning activities, and the exploration of educational and career pathways, will prepare students to succeed in today’s technology-charged global workforce.
The school-based pilot program fits perfectly with the Leader’s Academy mission statement; to ensure the academic, social, and professional success of students through cutting edge technology, while creating a strong sense of personal accountability and civic consciousness. Personal accountability as a part of the global workforce of tomorrow will be secured today with student participation in the pilot program, which will train young people with marketable professional skills.
“We will bring professionals in to talk to the students about different career options,” says TECH CORPS Texas President, Danny Perry, “students can expect to be prepared to test for A+ level certification, as well as other industry level certifications.”
Made possible by grants from the Gulf Coast Community Services, and the efforts of TECH CORPS Texas, this program is part of a greater government stimulus plan to jump-start the economy by teaching the youth of America the relevant technology skills needed to contribute to the betterment of the individual, and the individual’s community.
“Some of the goals of this program,” explains Perry, “is to provide instruction to this particular group of students in technology based applications/careers, and define the pathways necessary to achieve their goals.”
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On October 7th, TECH CORPS Texas staff and volunteers helped deliver 65 newly refurbished computers for distribution throughout the 36 classrooms at recognized IB World School, Mark Twain Elementary in the Houston ISD. Provided through the Computers For Kids program local technology non-profit TECH CORPS Texas was able to save Mark Twain Elementary tens of thousands of dollars.
“Low price, high quality computers are what schools need,” said newly appointed Principal John Baker, “too many students graduate without basic computer skills, because the schools cannot afford to keep up.” Keyboarding, word processing, and researching skills are at risk as the computer workstation quality deteriorates. “This is a very nice school,” adds Principal Baker, “but the technology is not up to date.” With some classrooms boasting smart boards and projectors it was a large priority to trade the computers in triage fashion, with the oldest and most problematic units being replaced first.
The recipients of the freshly refurbished computers, students in grades k-5, were overjoyed at the prospect of new additions to their technology workstations. Interactive computer games are an easy way to get students excited about learning. “We use the computer every day. It is my most favorite station in the classroom,” said one second grade student. “We play math magician to help with addition. If you get all of the answers right, you can move to the next level,” he continued. When asked whether this game helped his classroom performance, he responded enthusiastically, “Yes! I always get good grades.”
“These kids are not power users,” said Principal John Baker, “and they don’t need a desktop computer the same way an adult would; however, there are certain operating standards we try to uphold.” “Of the many ways to use technology in the classroom at the elementary level,” he continued, “a computer is only useful to students and teachers if it has good internet capability and an up-to date operating system.” With most computers in the school still running Windows 98, it was time for an upgrade. Adds Principal Baker, "the differential paying a refurbishing fee for these reconditioned units versus buying new computers, is the same as a teachers salary and full benefits."
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Students at Berry Elementary love the newly implemented “TECHie Club” after school program, which allows them supplemental access and exposure to computers in an environment where technology can be limited. TECHie Club is a program initiated by TECH CORPS Texas utilizing a holistic approach to preparing tomorrow’s technologically literate workforce by nurturing and supporting elementary students today.
This focused and collaborative effort takes place with the help of volunteer instructors. Throughout the year, students in grades 3-5 gather on Mondays and Fridays in the computer lab for an hour-long session sharing a common interest in computers. Not surprising, at this level, a student’s enthusiasm can often be frustrated by a lack of essential computer skills, such as typing, and a basic understanding of how computers work.
 
TECHie Club addresses these developmental learning challenges in an after-school program that is both educational and fun. Roughly 25 Berry Elementary students participate in TECHie Club’s interactive curriculum, which is specifically designed for students in grades 3-5, and focuses on the fundamentals of computer programming, informatics, and digital media. Students also learn to use the Internet as a tool, and with adult supervision, begin to self select programming and information that is safe, useful and relevant to their learning goals.
TECHie Clubbers learn skills that help them succeed in the classroom, and ultimately to succeed in a technologically-driven workplace. Students are introduced to exciting and varied career opportunities in the technology industry, and become aware firsthand that even basic typing skills are a necessary requirement for almost every job. By dramatically increasing their exposure to computers and the World Wide Web, we hope to encourage the students of Berry Elementary to boot up and harness the power of technology to grow and develop their future education and career opportunities.
HOUSTON, Texas (September 23, 2009)-On the morning of Friday, September 11, more than 50 guests, players, and volunteers gathered at Houston’s Wildcat Golf Club to play in the 4th annual TECH CORPS Texas Charity Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament was staged as part of the Bytes & Birdies fundraising events which honored the contributions of Philamena and Arthur Baird in support of education.
Breakfast was served courtesy of The Breakfast Klub, followed by a shotgun start promptly at 8AM. Players took their positions on the course for the scramble format event, and despite a little rain, “No one left the course,” said Danny Perry, President of TECH CORPS Texas, “Everyone had a fantastic time out there today.”
 
The winning team, comprised of local golf writers including Todd Hveem of the Houston Chronicle, was presented with an award for their low score of 61 at a ceremony immediately following the tournament. Further recognition was given to Clay Rutan for winning the longest drive competition, and Scott Crain, winner of the closet to the pin contest. The tournament and awards ceremony were captured thanks to Ronnie Boswell and Shoots Photography.
Sponsors included Bud Light/Silver Eagle Distributors, Computer Tech, The Breakfast Klub, Turning Point Group, Floodbreak, Governor Mark White, Content Active, among others. All proceeds from the Bytes & Birdies tournament benefited TECH CORPS Texas, a local non-profit that supports technology education and provides low cost computers and technology services to underprivileged schools, community organizations, returning military veterans, and other individuals in need.
For more event photos, please click here.
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