David López Ibarra is an advanced Science and Math teacher who has just renewed his J-1 visa for the 4th and 5th year to continue teaching in New Haven Connecticut public schools. He was recruited by the Government of Spain and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Systems Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Digital Education, with 19 years of teaching experience including three years in the USA.
He is a prime example of the success of the benefit that the Department of State added in 2016 allowing teachers to extend J-1 teacher status for two additional years, for a total of five years. School Year 2024-25 will be his fourth year in J-1 teacher visa status.
David teaches robotics and digital skills in the largest comprehensive high school in New Haven. His students are multilingual learners, most of them with little STEM background.
He is driven by a commitment to educational innovation, particularly in integrating robotics, 3D printing, and software programming into the curriculum. He has a keen interest in supporting multilingual learners, leveraging his background in education to ensure that every student has the opportunity to excel in STEM fields.
Securing federal grants and external donations worth 28,000$ to support the robotics program helped provide his students with hands-on activities connected with real-world applications.
David also keeps the school’s website updated with daily announcements and information relevant to students and teachers.
David with his students, pictured right, and their robots.
Due to his STEM expertise, he was invited to a roundtable discussion with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. The conversation focused on how online platforms affect student well-being and educational experiences, coinciding with legislative efforts such as the Kids Online Safety Act to protect minors from internet-related dangers. As a STEM teacher at Wilbur Cross High School specializing in robotics and bilingual programs, David shared firsthand accounts of student social media usage through his daily interactions and observations.
