2006 Winner: George Jordan
Title of Candidate: Lead Computer Technician
School District: Needham
Nominated By: Linda Conneely, Director of Media and Technology Services
Paul Messias, Network Engineer
Charles Mustone, Computer Technician
Award Co-Sponsor: RPB Systems and Services
Description of Qualifications and Achievement(s):
George
is an exemplary computer technician and a leader of technical
innovations for the district. He is responsible for our initial use and
deployment of computer imaging technology. This has created great
efficiencies, as he and two others manage 1800 desktops and laptops
throughout the system.
George’s best qualification for success is his incredible
flexibility and willingness to change his daily plan to meet the most
immediate needs of the day. His co-workers, school administrators and
teachers appreciate George’s knowledge and his ability to work in their
space (classrooms and offices) without interrupting the workflow. He
gets the immediate needs met with accuracy and efficiency.
Each year George manages the inventorying, imaging and
deployment of replacement computers, 125 – 200 units per year. He
organizes the tasks and coordinates onsite installs for eight
buildings. George troubleshoots his way through the schools, teaching
the other technicians better maintenance and support methods.
George works well beyond the defined workday, researching
solutions to problems and locating best pricing for peripherals,
security and maintenance items. He readily shares his knowledge within
the department to create a more efficient workflow.
In particular, George has been invaluable deploying
technology in our two newly renovated elementary schools. He staged the
integration of more than 450 desktop units and printers to meet the
opening day deadlines. Currently, he is staging the integration of more
than 500 desktop units for the renovated Needham High School, due to
open in September 2006. He is leading and managing a crew of four
technicians and four student workers. Deployment begins next week.
Professionally, George has worked tirelessly through
negotiations with the Needham Education Association and School
Administration to improve the hourly rate, vacation/holiday benefits
and the work year for the computer technicians in Needham. He
demonstrates that he is willing to work hard to improve the working
conditions to enable Needham to keep outstanding technology workers.
Without George, Needham would not be able to maintain its
reputation for reliable computer technology, upgraded systems and the
ability to implement special administrative projects, such as Health
Office and Spectrum Circ/Cat systems.
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2005 Winner: Joseph DiMarco
Title of Candidate: Technician
School District: Stoneham Public Schools
Nominated By: Robert Hogan, Technology Supervisor
Award Co-Sponsor: Transition Networks
Description of Qualifications and Achievement(s):
Joe
DiMarco started with Stoneham Public Schools as a part-time technology
assistant in 1998. It wasn’t long, before we started to notice his
technological talent. Joe is a self taught wizard of technology. He
spends long hours reading tech manuals and getting answers to technical
difficulties. Joe is now Stoneham’s full-time computer technician. His
talents and desire to study networking have him solving all of Stoneham
Public Schools network issues. Joe has an easy going nature and great
talent to work with people, who, at times can be difficult when a
printer doesn’t print, a computer won’t go online, data seems lost, or
an entire lab is down. Joe gets the call and gets it resolved. The word
“no” seems lost in Joe’s vocabulary as he goes beyond his work in the
schools and helps teachers with their home computers when asked. Joe
works hard and solves problems. If you asked someone, “do you know Joe
DiMarco?” The first words out of their mouth might be, “nice guy”,
followed by “he knows his stuff when it comes to technology and
computers.” This guy deserves a medal for always trying to help and
always able to get things done on a shoe string budget. Joe was the key
man behind helping the victims of a horrendous auto accident at our
Central School. He got the technical glitches solved between the
hospitals, homes and schools, so that our young injured students could
see and hear family and friends using webcams. Joe is a nice guy that
gets things done with a smile, no matter how much work is on his plate.
He is the sole, front line source of keeping almost 900 computers
online, and over 300 staff capable of doing their work with computers.
He keeps Stoneham Public Schools Technology working!
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