In partnership with CoSN, eSchool Information is highlighting the progressive and devoted work of IT leaders in class districts throughout the nation.
This month, the highlight is on Lisa Higgins, Chief Know-how Officer in Tennessee’s Collierville Faculties.
1. What’s your greatest IT problem at this time?
Cybersecurity, for us, is the largest problem. Tennessee’s Division of Schooling (TDOE) has initiated an evaluation of over 150 controls at various ranges. As one among 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’ve 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 Sources, the Division of Distinctive Youngsters, Curriculum, and Operations. This was a major increase as a result of each division was keen to assist and created consciousness of the necessity for cybersecurity measures usually. Because of this, we’ve made progress in a number of areas, together with MFA, vetting vendor safety, and including measures to make sure that scholar and workers information stay safe.
2. What mission, initiative, or accomplishment are you most happy with?
Collierville Faculties is celebrating its tenth yr as a college district this yr. Essentially the most logical alternative can 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 mission, initiative, and accomplishment. Whereas I’m happy with that, I must say the factor I’m most happy with is the crew that I’m fortunate sufficient to work with every day. Our Know-how crew has each educational and technical workers. Because the variety of gadgets in our district has grown, so has our workers. Our workers works exhausting and pitches in wherever wanted. The crew is aware of that if I ask them to do one thing, I may even pitch in. Our crew is empowered by partaking in conversations to unravel 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 without doubt one of the most various within the district, and we function with a tradition of range, fairness, and inclusion. Whereas we sometimes have workers depart, I’m at all times proud and glad when one among our group strikes on to a job with extra duty.
3. What are your prime 3 priorities over the subsequent few years?
First, cybersecurity is a precedence, as I detailed within the first query. Guaranteeing that we’re as protected against cyberattacks as a lot as potential is large. Second, getting ready college students for all times after highschool is one other precedence. Offering know-how and in addition coaching in its right use, from correct e mail etiquette, digital citizenship, digital footprint, collaboration, communication, and methods to share scholar work and accomplishments, are objectives we work in the direction of every day. Our district has many post-secondary alternatives exterior the standard 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 eventually, guaranteeing that our workers continues to develop of their expertise and use of know-how to boost their educating methods to have interaction college students.
4. Know-how evolves at such a excessive price–what are a number of 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 faculties 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’ll ask that it’s written for a particular studying stage, then ask the AI platform to rewrite the identical info at a distinct grade stage. On this approach, they may have educational supplies custom-made for college kids. It is a comparatively straightforward technique to individualize schooling. One other approach could possibly be {that a} trainer may ask for a writing pattern with errors, then use that for college kids to determine these errors. Working with college students in methods to make use of such a know-how can be highly effective.
5. What recommendation would you give to different college IT leaders and faculty IT groups?
1. Foster and preserve good relationships with friends, each inside your crew and throughout departments. To succeed, it’s essential to have a powerful neighborhood and be energetic inside that neighborhood. If potential, meet frequently with district management to make sure they precisely perceive important points and garner help for initiatives.
2. Construct a very good crew and help them. Establish your self as a member of the IT crew somewhat 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. All the time 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 straightforward to typically lose sight of the general goal. Adopting a student-first mentality helps be certain that tech leaders stay aligned with the district’s targets.
4. Get entangled with the know-how neighborhood. Being an energetic participant in state know-how associations and nationwide organizations like CoSN provides you entry to an expert group of friends you may be taught and glean new concepts. With so many challenges, it’s essential to have assets and different trade specialists you may search out for steerage and suggestions.
5. Deal with others the way in which you want to be handled. It is a common golden rule, however it is rather relevant in Ok-12 studying environments. To construct an efficient and collaborative crew and foster relationships throughout the IT peer neighborhood, it is advisable to respect crew members and deal with them as you’ll admire being handled.
For extra information on IT management and innovation, go to eSN’s IT Management web page.
