InstructUs
AppleACT
address
email Connecticut Link Hartfield Map

picInstructUs: Apple Authorized Training Center — View our classes

InstructUs LLC is a venture formed by the members of JYS Technologies Inc., a certified Apple consulting firm with over 10 years of experience. We offer certified Apple courses as well as training in Adobe products taught by top level, accredited trainers. With offices in both Connecticut and Florida, InstructUs can provide access to training up and down the east coast.

Consulting is a major part of what we do, which gives us the ability to provide real world scenarios to our students. We are available to consult with your organization on a variety of levels outside of the classroom to offer network management, hardware/software upgrades, cross platform integration, backup solutions, and much more. Contact us to set up an appointment.


InstructUs
will utilize the same level of professionalism and service that has made JYS Technologies a leader in the industry. We look forward to being a part of your successes!

Our Instructors

Sam Valencia

Sam Valencia began his Information Technology career 10 years ago in the world of Windows.  While coming across more scenarios involving the Macintosh platform, he decided to make the switch and acquired certifications from Apple beginning with desktop support and moving on to server level support.  Today, Sam is a Certified Trainer for Apple.  He travels the country teaching classes, assisting other technicians in honing their skills using a mixture of hands on training and real world scenarios from his past experiences in the field.  Sam also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut.  When not teaching, his client focus is small to medium business scenarios with a focus on graphics and marketing in the greater New York Metropolitan area.  Areas of expertise are network management, software/hardware upgrades, and product training.

Certifications:
ACT Apple Certified Trainer
ACN  Apple Consultants Network - Advisory Council Member
ACS Apple Certified Specialist - Directory Services 10.6
ACTC Apple Certified Technical Coordinator 10.6
ACSP Apple Certified Support Professional 10.6


Jay Soodek

Born August 3, 1962, Jay’s 1st career was that of a classical musician. Trained at the Juilliard School, he somehow wound up working for Citibank. There he was part of the rollout team for Apple products. When he left banking in the early ‘90s, he became the Systems Director for a marketing company in Westport, CT. While he was there he hired the HCS Technology Group to help implement a FileMaker and an Email project. One thing lead to another and now for the past 12 years, Jay has run the Connecticut division of HCS Technology Group.

Certifications:
Apple Certified HelpDesk Specialist 10.3
Apple Certified HelpDesk Specialist 10.4
Apple Certified Support Professional 10.6


Craig Cohen

Born May 28, 1970, Craig Cohen, President and Senior Systems Engineer, is a second generation Technical Specialist. HCS Technology Group was brought to life in October1982. Since then, the company has grown to more than 20 employees, five locations and contractors worldwide, with a management team that represents some of the most experienced technology professionalsin the industry.

He studied at StonyBrook University for which he specialized in accounting, business and technology. Craig has also been a course developer for Apple Computer.

Certifications:
Apple Certified Systems Administrator    
Apple Certified Technical Coordinator 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6
Apple Certified Support Professional 10.6
Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4
Apple Certified Trainer
Apple Consultants Network
Apple Developer


Chris Biggins

Chris is a freelance instructor who was one of the first to attain the Master Trainer status for Apple's Final Cut Studio suite of tools. He teaches Final Cut Pro, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, Avid and more. He  double-majored in media studies and psychology at the University at Buffalo, and resides in New York City.

As an instructor, Chris uses his real-world experience to teach post-production. Chris had delivered video seminars at the National Association of Broadcasters, the Consumer Electronics Show, the Apple Store and all over the USA. His company, United Vision, also produces music videos using the same techniques he teaches in class everyday.

Certifications:
Final Cut Studio Master Trainer
Final Cut Pro Level I
Final Cut Pro Level II
DVD Studio Pro
Soundtrack Pro
Motion
Effects & Motion Graphics in Final Cut Studio


Allen Goldberg

Allen Goldberg has more than 25 years of experience in the computer software and hardware industry in programming, systems analysis, marketing and sales, training and support.  Allen is a Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC) and Apple Certified Trainer (ACT). He is a member of the Apple Consultants Network Advisory Council and has been a consultant working with Apple products since 2001.  Allen, a graduate of NYU, is a native of Brooklyn, NY and currently lives outside of Boston, MA.

Certifications:
ACT Apple Certified Trainer
ACN  Apple Consultants Network - Advisory Council Member
ACTC Apple Certified Technical Coordinator 10.6
ACSP Apple Certified Support Professional 10.6


Jeff Shaffer

Jeff Shaffer has been co-owner of Shaffer Smith Photography LLC, in New York City since 1988. Together with his wife and business partner, photographer Dawn Smith, he has produced award-winning advertising and editorial imagery for clients such as CIGNA, IBM, Neiman-Marcus, Ralph Lauren, and Smirnoff.  A desire to share this extensive practical knowledge has led to a second career as an educator and trainer.  For more than 10 years, in both higher education and training facilities, Jeff has developed, and taught, many courses in digital photography and software. He is an Adobe Certified Instructor in both Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as CompTIA CTT+ Trainer Certified.