Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Ortiz.
Hi Chris, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am definitely a product of my environment, and that is from where I seem to draw most of my inspiration. As a young man, I grew up in a single-parent household with my younger brother. It was here that I was able to witness first hand what it took to set a goal, work hard, and execute on a vision. My mother wanted better for us and demonstrated so through her actions. She worked multiple jobs and furthered her education in a number of fields. This leadership through example propelled my brother and I to become the first in our family to graduate from college. Since then, I married the love of my life Whitney Ortiz and have two wonderful children, Tatum and Luke. In addition, I have been teaching and coaching at Knox Junior High in Conroe ISD for the last 19 years. In that time I have won multiple district championships as a basketball coach as well as teaching awards such as Teacher and Humanitarian of the year. Now that I have turned 44 years of age, I feel a new season in my life emerging – one in which I can use my experience as an educator, coach and family man to impact the world through ideas and the use of the written word. I intend to put my time and energy into this new chapter in my life and see where it takes me. Thank you to all my friends and family who have helped and supported me along this journey and know that I plan on making everyone proud.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not been an especially smooth one. My wife and I started our family a little earlier than expected. In fact we had just started dating and still had a few more years of college ahead of us. I really do believe though the love we had for one another made the sacrifices we had to make much more doable. We started off behind the 8 ball but I feel that over the last 3 or 4 years we have made some strides towards being ahead in life. The struggle has shaped our family and also given us a perspective that has made us the educators we are today. I consider us extremely blessed at this juncture of our lives. Prior to that my brother and I were brought up in a single parent household. We were taught an early age education is not an option, because of my mothers tenacity I became the first to graduate from college. My brother followed shortly after and serves the community through law enforcement. I would say my mom did pretty well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By day I am an educator and coach at Knox Jr High in The Woodlands. When I am not doing that though I indulge my creative side. I love to tell stories so I felt it was only right that I get into the children’s literature space. My stories are about the things in my life that bring me joy. My family, profession, neighborhood, and hobbies are all things I enjoy writing about. It makes it easy to be creative when you can pen books about the most important aspects of ones existence. There are currently 5 books that are out for purchase on my website with 2 more in development. I am also an avid podcaster with over one hundred and thirty episodes under my belt. I find people extremely interesting and their unique stories even more so. After conducting a podcast I feel as if I have just read an entire book. I have learned so much about life through these interviews and feel it has made me the educator and coach I am today. Hopefully by years end I will eclipse episode 200 and get a few of these high profile chats I have been itching to do. I am a believer in putting ideas out into the world and watching the universe unfold and making it happen so here are a few Hail Mary’s. Paul Wall, Alperen Sengun, Jose Altuve, and Kelvin Sampson are a few I hope to have in the years to come. One day I hope to merge all of my loves and go out on a speaking and professional development tour. I feel I have a lot to offer those who wish to listen to me, perspective is everything and I have a lot of it. I am most proud of the fact that I have given birth to my ideas and they have lives of their own now. Most people lack the bravery to chase what makes them happy, not me I am not happy unless I am chasing the things I want to do most in this world. Over the summer I will be traveling around the state and country studying directly under the best educators in various fields. I will carefully note what they are doing with their students and bring it back to the educational setting in the form of professional development. It is a new task and journey but I feel it is an extension of who I am and look forward to the challenge.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Do not be afraid to reach out, most people lack the courage to dare greatly. If we do not dare greatly do not be surprised if your dreams remain just that, dreams. It is wise to reach out and look for a good mentor, in fact I would argue that some people would be honored to be seen in that light. It would also be good to note that sometimes we look way to outwardly to find a mentor when we have AMAZING mentors right next to us. If that does not work out the internet allows us to find them online, anyone can research Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and listen to him tell his story on any number of platforms. There really is no excuse to not have wisdom bestowed upon you because we live in the information age and believe me when I say information is abundant. In this instance whether it be in person or listening to someone speak finding a mentor is imperative. As my Muay Thai Kickboxing Coach Matt Wald would say “The juice is worth the squeeze.”
Contact Info:
- Website: coachortiz.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/chrisortiz3946/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.ortiz.3597
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/christopher-ortiz-890253186
- Twitter: twitter.com/besomeone09
Image Credits
Dave Snook – Took the Author Pic
