Meet CETPA Director Steve Carr

By Lisa Kopochinski

 

What are your responsibilities as a CETPA director?

My current responsibilities on the CETPA board include being the recognized authority chair for Common Core/SBAC. I also have been doing ongoing work to help manage the CAMSA (CETPA and Microsoft Strategic Alliance) Program and assure that this program results in ongoing savings for districts, relevant and useful tools and resources and clear communications to support education technology as it relates to Microsoft licensing, products and services. I have also been working to foster improved relations with our business partners by working with our Affiliate Advisory Council.

What are your responsibilities as chief technology officer for the Ventura County Office of Education?

As Chief Technology Officer, my key responsibilities are to lead my department of 26 employees to provide outstanding customer support and services to our internal and external customers. We serve all of our school districts with payroll, HR and financial application hosting, SIS hosting and support, network and ISP service, instructional technology professional development and direct technical support for our special education, court and community schools as well as support for our small school districts in the county. I also work directly with district technology leaders to develop relationships, provide economy of scale models and assist where possible in supporting their initiatives.

How long have you been in the computer industry?

I began my career in the education industry. I was a junior high American History teacher from 1982 to 1995. I did return to graduate school in the mid 80s to get my master’s degree at UCSB in educational instruction emphasizing interactive educational technology. I served as the Senior Director of Technology and Facilities in the Hueneme School District from 1998 to 2005 and I have been at the Ventura County Office since 2005.

What drew you to the industry and what do you like most about it?

I have always believed that technology is a tool to motivate and engage students in content and creativity. As a history teacher I found that when students could use technology to perform historical research, simulations and creation, they would stay engaged and motivated to learn content. As a politics and philosophy major at UC Santa Cruz and studying the Greek classics, I learned that humans have always struggled with managing and balancing technology, whether it be the “gift of fire” from the story of Prometheus or the technologies related to power and war they can be a tool or they can destroy us. Our job as technology leaders is to strike a balance with these tools and to utilize them most effectively.  Sometimes that means disconnecting from them and appreciating the beauty of nature or having a face to face conversation.

When did you join CETPA and why? 

I joined CETPA in 1998. I attended my first conference in Palm Springs and I immediately knew that this was an organization and community that would be critical to my career. I heard colleagues sharing challenges of supporting enterprise networks, dealing with district policies, and setting district hardware specifications. I knew that as a new Director of Technology I had found a home among a group of colleagues and professionals that shared best practices and truly learned from each other. As a result of my membership and participation on the board I have found professional colleagues and lifelong friends.

What past roles have you held within CETPA?

I have been the Exhibitor Chair, President-Elect and Conference Chair, President and Past President.

Where does CETPA need to grow? 

I believe that CETPA needs to grow in becoming the recognized authority as it relates to instructional and administrative technology.  I believe that our membership recognizes this fact but we will continue to promote this with CDE, ACSA and other state agencies. The organization continues to grow and mature. While we continue to put on the best educational technology conference in the state we have also the best CTO Mentor program in the country. We have engaged our membership by starting regional groups and we have negotiated statewide discounts on Microsoft licensing.

What is the greatest challenge facing the industry and how can it be overcome?

I think that one of the greatest challenges we face is to help legislators understand that technology should be seen and addressed as an ongoing funding source rather than a one-time capital expenditure. We have learned over the years that technology has to be regularly refreshed and supported by staff. As we are implementing technologies, infrastructure and curriculum to support Common Core and Smarter Balanced Assessments we must consider the total cost of ownership which has to include refresh, management and support.

What do you like to do in your limited spare time?

I love to surf with my sons, hike, ski and bike. I love to travel with my wife and dog and frequent the Eastern Sierras on backpacking adventures.

About the Author

Lisa Kopochinski has been the editor of DataBus magazine for more than 10 years. She works closely with Steve Thornton, CETPA’s managing editor and President-Elect. She can be reached at 916-481-0265 or at lisakop@sbcglobal.net.

Meet CETPA Executive Director Andrea Bennett

By Lisa Kopochinski

What are your responsibilities as CETPA’s Executive Director?

My responsibilities are to ensure that the organization’s goals, mission and vision are accomplished. This includes coordinating and managing all events including the Annual Conference, CTO Clinic, as well as our participation at other events. I also manage CETPA’s Corporate Affiliate Program and assist with the CAMSA program and strategic partnerships. One of my biggest and ongoing responsibilities is to manage the CTO Mentor Program.

How long have you been in the computer industry?

Well, like others, I don’t think I am in the computer industry, but I have been working in education and not-for-profit environments for 26 years.

What drew you to the industry and what do you like most about it?

I became an intern at Pomona Unified in the late 1980s. After graduation, I was hired by an SIS company, then went to the East Side Union High School District and Oakland Unified before being hired by CETPA. The best part of this industry is watching the intense, never-failing dedication of the people supporting our schools. If the public could see what I see, they would demand that education be funded properly!

When did you join CETPA and why? 

I started as an affiliate member in the early 1990s, attending the exhibit show at the conference. When I got to East Side, the director there knew the value of CETPA and required his managers to go to the conference. After attending, I could also see the value in being part of a professional membership organization and have been an active member ever since.

What past roles have you held within CETPA?

After being an affiliate member and then an educational member, I was elected to the CETPA Board of Directors and became a Director at Large. I chaired both the Speaker and Exhibit Show roles before resigning from the board to take on the Executive Director role.

Where does CETPA need to grow?

Being the one responsible for growth, I’d like to think we are growing at just the right pace and in the right areas. We want to continue to offer valuable benefits to our members and keep the community strong with professional development and strategic partnerships.

What is the greatest challenge facing the industry and how can it be overcome?

I know most people might say budget, and that is a big one, but I believe learning to manage all of the information constantly flowing through the technology departments in schools is essential to success. Technologists are expected to know about so much more than just “technology” these days and it is difficult to manage. That’s why CETPA membership is so important. Connecting to your colleagues to help get relevant information quickly and reliably is what makes the organization so valuable.

What do you like to do in your limited spare time?

I know it may sound corny, but spending time with my husband of 23 years is still my favorite past time. For alone time, I take long walks and read.

About the Author

Lisa Kopochinski has been the editor of DataBus magazine for more than 10 years.  She works closely with Steve Thornton, CETPA’s managing editor and President-Elect.  She can be reached at 916-481-0265 or at lisakop@sbcglobal.net.

 

The Year In Review

By Brianne Meyer, CETPA President

I have a pattern.  Each year, after the conference, I return to my desk and start my balancing act.  I desperately try to work my way through an inbox that better resembles a cosmic black hole than a manageable to-do list.  Meanwhile, I resolve to be more like the strategic, visionary leaders that fill the conference halls.  My balancing act is the inevitable conflict between the inspiration brought on by a week of great connections and content, and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the work that remains to be done.

CETPA’s 52^nd Annual Conference was both a reminder of our organization’s legacy, and a preview of our future.  The Monterey Conference