In partnership with CoSN, eSchool Information is highlighting the modern and devoted work of IT leaders at school districts throughout the nation.
This month, the highlight is on Lisa Higgins, Chief Expertise Officer in Tennessee’s Collierville Faculties.
1. What’s your greatest IT problem as we speak?
Cybersecurity, for us, is the most important problem. Tennessee’s Division of Training (TDOE) has initiated an evaluation of over 150 controls at various ranges. As certainly one of three districts to pilot this system, finishing the survey was an hours-long course of accomplished as a crew. Moreover, to have the ability to apply for grant cash, a second survey of comparable size can be required. Whereas prolonged, the state evaluation highlighted areas the place we now have progress alternatives; it additionally made evident that cybersecurity isn’t just a operate of know-how. After our crew accomplished the TDOE evaluation, we recognized a number of controls that, with out the assistance and help of different departments, we knew couldn’t be achieved. We arrange discussions with Finance, Human Assets, the Division of Distinctive Youngsters, Curriculum, and Operations. This was a major enhance as a result of each division was prepared to assist and created consciousness of the necessity for cybersecurity measures basically. In consequence, we now have made progress in a number of areas, together with MFA, vetting vendor safety, and including measures to make sure that scholar and workers knowledge stay safe.
2. What challenge, initiative, or accomplishment are you most pleased with?
Collierville Faculties is celebrating its tenth 12 months as a college district this 12 months. Probably the most logical alternative could be beginning in 2013 with roughly 3,500 scholar gadgets (all shared) to current, the place each scholar Pre-Ok-12 is assigned a tool for studying–it is a nice challenge, initiative, and accomplishment. Whereas I’m pleased with that, I must say the factor I’m most pleased with is the crew that I’m fortunate sufficient to work with every day. Our Expertise crew has each educational and technical workers. Because the variety of gadgets in our district has grown, so has our workers. Our workers works arduous and pitches in wherever wanted. The crew is aware of that if I ask them to do one thing, I may also pitch in. Our crew is empowered by participating in conversations to resolve issues and plan initiatives. I additionally encourage them to work with and set up relationships with different departments in our district and different districts. Our group is likely one of the most various within the district, and we function with a tradition of range, fairness, and inclusion. Whereas we often have workers depart, I’m at all times proud and pleased when certainly one of our group strikes on to a job with extra accountability.
3. What are your high 3 priorities over the subsequent few years?
First, cybersecurity is a precedence, as I detailed within the first query. Making certain that we’re as protected against cyberattacks as a lot as potential is large. Second, making ready college students for all times after highschool is one other precedence. Offering know-how and in addition coaching in its appropriate use, from correct electronic mail etiquette, digital citizenship, digital footprint, collaboration, communication, and methods to share scholar work and accomplishments, are objectives we work in direction of every day. Our district has many post-secondary alternatives exterior the normal school route. Welding, nursing, cybersecurity, and aviation are just a few areas the place college students can get trade certifications whereas nonetheless in highschool. This selection challenges our crew to make sure our gadgets will help college students in these areas. And at last, guaranteeing that our workers continues to develop of their expertise and use of know-how to boost their instructing methods to interact college students.
4. Expertise evolves at such a excessive price–what are among the college IT improvements you see coming down the pipeline, and that are you most excited for?
AI may have a major impact on not solely colleges however the enterprise world and past. We should discover methods to embrace and use this know-how positively and successfully. For instance, a trainer may use this know-how to compose an informational studying on a subject inside their curriculum. They will ask that it’s written for a particular studying stage, then ask the AI platform to rewrite the identical data at a unique grade stage. On this means, they may have educational supplies custom-made for college kids. This can be a comparatively simple strategy to individualize schooling. One other means might be {that a} trainer may ask for a writing pattern with errors, then use that for college kids to establish these errors. Working with college students in methods to make use of this sort of know-how can be highly effective.
5. What recommendation would you give to different college IT leaders and college IT groups?
1. Foster and keep good relationships with friends, each inside your crew and throughout departments. To succeed, it’s crucial to have a robust neighborhood and be lively inside that neighborhood. If potential, meet usually with district management to make sure they precisely perceive important points and garner help for initiatives.
2. Construct crew and help them. Establish your self as a member of the IT crew moderately than as their boss or their chief. Acknowledge the distinctive abilities of every crew member and leverage these expertise to supply optimistic outcomes for the district.
3. At all times take into consideration what’s greatest for the scholars and what you are able to do to get there. With know-how, it may be simple to typically lose sight of the general function. Adopting a student-first mentality helps be sure that tech leaders stay aligned with the district’s targets.
4. Get entangled with the know-how neighborhood. Being an lively participant in state know-how associations and nationwide organizations like CoSN provides you entry to knowledgeable group of friends you possibly can study and glean new concepts. With so many challenges, it’s crucial to have assets and different trade specialists you possibly can hunt down for steerage and suggestions.
5. Deal with others the best way you wish to be handled. This can be a common golden rule, however it is extremely relevant in Ok-12 studying environments. To construct an efficient and collaborative crew and foster relationships inside the IT peer neighborhood, you’ll want to respect crew members and deal with them as you’d respect being handled.
For extra information on IT management and innovation, go to eSN’s IT Management web page.
