Recently, I had some fun reintroducing our district level technology team. I may have taken some liberties, but it was all in good fun and I hope our staff got a good chuckle!
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When we aren’t discussing the new Digital Learning and Computer Science standards, the proper placement of Category 6 ethernet patch panels in the server room or confirming the specs on our new batch of Chromebooks, your Educational Technology Department has been known to enjoy themselves. Below is just some fun information that we wanted to share and that you might know about your humble techie’s.
Our Network administrator, Mr. Gary Babin, who is responsible for maintaining the wireless and wired network and many of the servers that we rely on each day, is the oldest member of the Tech Team. Gary tells me that he has been interested in technology as far back as he can remember and that he knew Nikola Tesla as a young man. Gary also avoids cliches like the plague.
Phyllis Maynard, who is our Data Administrator (aka. Goddess of Data), has served GDRSD admirably for over 12+ years. Phyllis, who happens to be my beach volleyball partner, handles our student information system, DESE state reporting and many other data systems. Phyllis has a penchant for reserving half of the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley on concert nights with her 25 best friends. She tells people no one goes there anymore, it’s too crowded.
Systems Administrator or Supreme Lord of All Things Technology (aka. ‘SLOATT’ for short), Joe Bisbee, who is Certified 98% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, works out of the high school and supports the entire district on many of the software and hardware components used on a daily basis. Joe also provides support on the network side and is a self appointed “Queen (Bis)Bee” of the Aerohive (our wireless network provider). Despite already having a massive head, Joe has never heard a compliment he does not like.
After a 7-year hiatus from GDRSD, network technician Shelley Patricia returned with authority! Shelley, who would like to become fluent in Italian and loves drawing unicorns, works on many projects that keep us going. Shelley handles repairs, network support, maintains our inventory and is first out of the chute on Helpdesk requests. Shelley told me that she heard Gary playing his guitar once and that it could “wake the cremated.”
As for myself, I have an eight-year old and twin three-year olds (I should learn their names) and have been happily married to my high school sweetheart for either 16 or 18 years. I work hard for you to make sure systems are a go and that everyone at GDRSD has the best technology experience possible! Since joining GDRSD, I have aged in “Obama Years” and I am hoping to make it through a few more! Finally, I really enjoy long pontoon rides, which allow me to get to know and better support my team.