So, eight months ago I learned that our Director of Technology was moving on to bigger and better things. I first got that flood of emotion when you find out someone you enjoy working with is leaving; a mix of sadness, betrayal, and a little bit of guilt, wondering what I did, if anything, to contribute to them leaving. Yes, I know my first thoughts were for myself, but that is only human. And when you work in BUSD, you get used to administrators changing often.

It happened first when I was a Specialist and our Ed. Services director jumped ship. She was a joy to work with and respected the work we were doing and allowed us to grow into a job we loved. Her replacement was there for a year, before moving up and becoming superintendent. I followed that person into the superintendent’s office and the autonomy and responsibility grew. I worked closely with our Director of Technology and I was a part of the team that brought our Digital Learning Initiative (DLI) to life. We were two years into our DLI when the pandemic hit, and we needed to move quickly to supply the rest of our students with devices. Then, in May 2020, our Superintendent announced she was leaving, and that was followed in July with the Director of Technology.

When they asked about who would finish the work at hand (rolling out 1570 new devices, distributing 1000 refurbished laptops, handing out 550 hotspots, issuing 120 new teacher devices) I threw my hat into the ring. I was encouraged by my wife, a few close friends and some work colleagues. Because I am who I am, I was doubting my fitness for the job; I had no real networking training, and while I knew the basics,  my forte was EdTech and Technology Integration. Sure, we needed those two things really badly, but there was a whole other side to being a tech director that I had only passing knowledge on. When interviewing for the Interim Director job (with our interim Superintendent) I laid that on the table. Long story short, I got the interim job, and three days later, started.

The first few months were a whirlwind of device distribution, logistics of handing devices out while in the middle of a pandemic, and putting out fire after fire in our brand new SIS system (we are still in the process of first-year setups and fixes). I also had power supplies blow on our MDF switches and our fiber connection between the District office and two sites get chewed on and need repair. All of this was while leading trainings on Office 365 and making tutorial videos every day to address issues our teachers were having, you know the distance learning growing pains.

When they asked about who would finish the work at hand (rolling out 1570 new devices, distributing 1000 refurbished laptops, handing out 550 hotspots, issuing 120 new teacher devices) I threw my hat into the ring.

I also had to do things I never thought about before, and I was fortunate that our Technology and Innovation Services (TIS) Department is full of rock stars that never hesitated to help me out. I put together an RPF for our WAN and awarded another RFP for our core switch replacement.

When the position was flown, I was again encouraged to put my hat in the ring. I was getting comfortable with the position, now that I had been in it for four months, and felt that I brought a unique POV to the position. I brought TIS closer to working with Educational Services, and I cultivated great relationships with Business Services and Facilities departments as well. When I was told one Friday that I had a week to spend about $1million LLM funds, I brought my team together and we came up with a game plan. I reached out to vendors and had quotes for almost all those funds in 14 days. It was WILD! Then I got to learn about piggybacking contracts and how much I could spend before going out to bid, and how contracts are processed, and more than I ever wanted to know about insurance requirements and adjusting contracts coterminous with the original singed contract. That was a lot for a Tech-loving English Techer. I had great help from our Business Services office, and a couple of secretaries and clerks who help my hand and guided me through some very unfamiliar and somewhat uncomfortable waters.

Alas, it was not meant to be. And I get it. While I am a hard worker and a quick learner, I hold no certificates in Network Systems. My degree is in English and not Technology or Management. I can’t say that I wasn’t disappointed, but I understood. At least I get to go back to something I love, my DLMI TOSA role.  

I learned a lot while Interim Director. More importantly, I learned what I don’t like. I don’t like dealing with contracts. At all. I don’t like the paper-pushing I felt like I was constantly doing that took of more of my time than I wanted it to. I don’t like being so far away from the classroom, because while the decisions I was making or the policies I was enforcing was making a difference, it was not one that I could actively see happening. I don’t like the politics. I don’t like the petty squabbles between departments or personalities that happen and interfere with student learning.

I did love many things about the position, please don’t get me wrong. I loved working with awesome and intelligent analysts, teachers and techs. I loved being leader of a team that was keeping students learning. I loved handing out technology and making learning and working easier for students, teachers, secretaires, principals, and admin. I loved being able to affect policy and access, and remove some of the impediments to learning that are sometime inherent in the way we do business. Mostly I loved knowing that learning was happening because of the forethought of my predecessor, the vision of digital learning we shared, and the way I felt I was honoring the DLI while I was interim director.

Am I sad I didn’t get the job, maybe a little? But our new director comes with lots of experience, and I am looking forward to learning from him over time. And while a part of me will miss the job, I am happy to go back to helping teachers teach with tech and getting students learning. This experience has inspired me to further my learning and pursue an Administrative Credential. While the shoe of Technology Director might not have been a fit, I think Ed Tech Coordinator would. Who knows?