Ezequiel Villanueva Ruizl is a Ph.D. Candidate in Horticulture from the University of Guelph in Canada. He also holds a Master's in Horticulture from the Postgraduate College in Mexico and a Bachelor’s in Plant Science from the Autonomous University of Chapingo in Mexico. 

 

Ezequiel has been involved with several education and horticulture organizations, he is a certified Greenhouse grower by the Colorado Nursery & Greenhouse Association (CNGA), Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado, AmericanHort, American Society for Horticultural Science, North American Agricultural Advisory Network, and International Society for Horticultural Science. Ezequiel has received grants and awards for developing sustainable greenhouse, hydroponics, and aquaponics systems. And recognitions like the Exemplary Service Award February 3, 2022 by CNGA. 

 

He is a bilingual English/Spanish educator in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the U.K. with over 20+ years of experience teaching science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) subjects to students from diverse backgrounds. He holds a Professional Teacher License endorsed in Science, Elementary Education, Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Spanish, and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education from the Colorado Department of Education. 

 

Ezequiel has taught Spanish, science, coding, robotics, and horticulture classes at the high school and university levels. He incorporates technology into his lessons and utilizes methods like project-based learning and Invention and Innovation Education. Ezequiel has participated in many professional development conferences and workshops focused on STEAM education, including events by the National Science Teachers Association, International Society for Technology in Education, International Technology & Engineering Educators Association, Master Teacher of Invention and Intellectual Property (MTIP) by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Mentor for The Zero Barriers in STEM Education: Accessibility and Inclusion initiative by the Smithsonian Science Education.