Advice from Technology Coordinators please!

**Executionor** · 06.03.07, 09:23 AM

I have been presented with an job opportunity that I am seriously considering taking, but I have some questions. To those of you that are Technology Coordinators, I know it can be frustrating at times, however, is it THAT difficult to learn all that one would need to learn these days?

This is for a school district that runs novell, powerschool, windows machines, and macs. The fella that is leaving admits that he didn't know much, but got by and they actually contract out to a company that comes in when they need any help.

I can do network and get around pcs really well, but I am nervous that it might be like greek when I get to the next level. I am a willing learner and they have said that they are more than willing to do any and all training necessary. I guess I am just nervous and wanting either some support or warnings, just some good honesty! This job pays about twice what I make now and what I make now is not shabby. I wouldn't consider it just for the money, but I do enjoy working with computers and do understand them plus my wife teaches at this same school district...

Thanks in advance.

**printkid2** · 06.03.07, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Executionor

I have been presented with an job opportunity that I am seriously considering taking, but I have some questions. To those of you that are Technology Coordinators, I know it can be frustrating at times, however, is it THAT difficult to learn all that one would need to learn these days?

This is for a school district that runs novell, powerschool, windows machines, and macs. The fella that is leaving admits that he didn't know much, but got by and they actually contract out to a company that comes in when they need any help.

I can do network and get around pcs really well, but I am nervous that it might be like greek when I get to the next level. I am a willing learner and they have said that they are more than willing to do any and all training necessary. I guess I am just nervous and wanting either some support or warnings, just some good honesty! This job pays about twice what I make now and what I make now is not shabby. I wouldn't consider it just for the money, but I do enjoy working with computers and do understand them plus my wife teaches at this same school district...

Thanks in advance.

I was in the same position almost 5 years ago. I took the chance and moved forward and boy am I glad I did! I now support 80+ servers and I am lead SysAdmin for local government.

Look at the opportunity as a learning experience. You will get to learn new technologies while doing something you enjoy. I was strictly a Windows GEEK and now I know Linux / Unix, VMware, Citrix ,etc....

Sounds like a great opportunity! GO FOR IT! Good luck!

**FORD** · 06.03.07, 01:59 PM

Sounds like a great gig. If it weren't in Kansas I'd consider applying for it myself. (No offense, but that's one state I just don't want to live in.)

**Executionor** · 06.03.07, 02:10 PM

printkid2 -- Thanks for the advice, I just got a call and have an interview tomorrow at 4:30 pm. I am not nervous about the interview, just hoping I won't be completely overwhelmed, BUT at the same time, I work well under pressure. I am going for it! They are currently running novell servers and I have never even seen one of those lol so who knows.

FORD -- Yeah Kansas is not a very attractable place, but I am definitely a flatlander so I will die here. We go to the mountains every couple of years for a couple of weeks and by the end of the two weeks, I am ready to get out of them. No offense taken.

**MikeL** · 06.03.07, 02:17 PM

Technology Coordinator can mean many things. What exactly are the job duties?

One of my many hats could be called that. For me, there is no average day. This next week I'm rolling out a new data management system that keep tabs on 3,200 students. That means training the teachers, getting any issues resolved with the developers, and putting the finishing touches on the server. Last week it was preparing a 10-year "technology plan" for our entire community ed department, to be part of a levy referendum. Today I'm going in to finish that up, and start refurbishing some W2K boxes.

Most of the work is people-work. The problem is the wetware more than anything else. Lots of training, lots of listening, and lots of improving things. I've got some teacher trainings planned this week for a classroom software package. Next week I'll start getting quotes for my 2007-2008 purchases, which I've been planning out the last couple of months. Once those come in, it'll be a couple of weeks of getting things set up.

**smme5150** · 06.03.07, 02:54 PM

don't worry man, as long as you know how to install seventh fetzer valves and keep thirty-weight ball bearrings handy, you'll do fine!

**Executionor** · 06.03.07, 04:31 PM

I will know more about it tomorrow evening. I know the guy that had the job before and he did all of the technology purchasing for the school district. He maintains the servers and all of the PCs, which there are macs and PCs and even palm pilots and laptops of various breeds. He maintains powerschool and powergrade. I talked to him for a while this afternoon and he said he was sure I could handle it...The job will be an administrative position and will pay in the mid $50gs/year. I am unsure if it is an 11 month contract or 12, but of course will find out tomorrow evening when I interview. He said what you said about wearing many hats and working well with people. We have some real backward teachers that want nothing to do with computers and that is the challenge. I am pretty good with people though so that is no worry. Just being anxious is all.

**Brian Gibson** · 06.03.07, 09:45 PM

Good luck.

Hope it goes well...

**Executionor** · 06.04.07, 06:26 PM

The interview went great. I laid out what I knew and they laid out what I needed to know, such things as State assessments, KIDS, E-rate, they maintain 400 computers, about 2 to 1 PCs to macs. Powerschool administration is a big part of the job. I would have 1 full time technician that takes care of the macs for the elementary and a few other folks that help thoughout the buildings. There are a lot of things that I did not know, so before I left, I mentioned that it might be a good idea even if they did not hire me this time that they hire me on a part time basis to learn the details of the job so the next time the position comes open, I would have an intimate understanding. They really dug that idea and I am really fine with doing that if not the whole enchilada. I felt good about it.

**Brian Gibson** · 06.04.07, 06:55 PM

Well done.
I like your approach.
When will you hear?

**Executionor** · 06.04.07, 07:50 PM

I will know by Friday. The main guy starts his new position at his new school July 1st, so they want someone in place by then. I found my list I had written of things I would be responsible for:

MAP testing
Powerschool
E-rate
Kansas State Assessments
KIDS

They run Novell servers version 6.5

400+ computers around campus. We vote on a new high school this september so I would get to figure out what all we want to put into that for future use. They asked me how I would stay on the cutting edge of technology and keep the district technologically savvy and I had to tell them I would have to look into that. What are some good websites to look at that are really up to date on the latest technologies?

**MikeL** · 06.04.07, 10:27 PM

There's a bunch. Reading websites is great, but the real trick is to take all of that knowledge and apply it to your particular situation. There aren't a great many turn-key solutions that are affordable. I'm lucky to have a really great memory. While I'm waiting on things, I read. Almost nothing is immediately applicable, but almost everything comes in handy eventually. Spend lots of time in the classrooms, talk to *all* the staff members, and figure out what the real needs are. After that, you get to be creative.

School districts tend to be insular in many ways. If you get the job, make a real effort to get to know your counterparts in the surrounding school districts. Some of them will be yahoos who resort to consultants for absolutely anything beyond booting up a computer. Some will be very savvy people who can see where things should be going. Have lunch with them now and then, and you'll all benefit from the relationships. Do the same with people in the private sector, and those that work for local colleges.

When you look at a problem, try to see it in terms of the bigger picture. Solutions often have nothing to do with whatever it was that caused the initial problem. There's an incredible amount of innovation that's possible. Selling your vision and getting the money is something that takes practice. Use English, not obscure technical terms.

People might cause the problems, but in the end your job is to take care of the people. The technology is just how you do that. Figure out what slows them down and frustrates them. Design and implement a training program for the staff that doesn't just give them skills, but builds confidence. Plenty of people don't use the technology that's available because they're afraid they'll break it. Explain that there's nothing you can't fix, and encourage them to try new things. When they inevitably break something, find a way to fix it. Whatever you do, don't blame them.

Figure out who's opinions are really worth listening to, and get those people in a room now and then. Learn to write grants, and find the funding to make the ideas somewhat close to reality. If you can do that, people will feed you enough ideas to keep you busy for a very long time.