September 9th, 2017
21ST CENTURY CLASSROOM
City School bids farewell to proactive maker
By JOAN CAVALLO
Special to the Messenger
ST. ALBANS — On Friday September 15, St. Albans City School will bid a fond farewell to Craig Lyndes as he begins an exciting new journey, also known as retirement.
Craig has been more than our network administrator. Throughout his career, Craig has been a fervent advocate of the implementation of technological access and has worked diligently to bring this to students and staff. He has been the driving force behind making St. Albans City School a leader in technology.
“Craig does not bring in new technology, he brings in next technology,” Erica Bertucci shared as we discussed what Craig has meant to our school.
Eight years ago Craig lead the way in moving us to a “one to one” technology. He got us there, grew it each year and helped us develop and maintain a powerful infrastructure that allows every device to be used simultaneously without issue.
For technology to be useful, there needs to be more than hardware and software, it takes education and encouragement, Craig definitely has the rare ability to tailor his assistance and instruction to the level of anyone who walks through the door. He has always provided the perfect combination of technical expertise and respectful, encouraging people skills.
The Makerspace at St. Albans City School was highlighted in the draft Vermont Digital Learning Plan that the Agency of Education released this summer.
Today, the Makerspace has many teachers at St. Albans City School who are actively engaged with it, but when it all started several years ago, it was Craig who researched what we needed to get started.
His passion for making is evident in how he balances taking care of network and computer issues while always making time to tinker with the 3D printer or help a student figure out why their print didn’t work.
Walk into the Makerspace and you would see Craig problem solving with a student whose 3D printed tank has a part missing or teaching a colleague how to use the laser cutter or discussing with educators how to safely teach students to solder.
As Craig gradually gave the innovation specialists ownership over the makerspace, he always framed what was needed by asking the question: “How will this support or enhance student learning?”
Craig was often the one in front, making sure that our school maintains the strong foundation of technology awareness and application.
Craig has a strong belief that education must drive technology, and never the other way around. He understands that students and teachers are the focus of a school system, and he guides us in making decisions that support that philosophy. At all times education is more important than control.
He also makes sure that what we bring to students is open access, so they can learn to use tools that are available even when they are not at school.
St. Albans City School congratulates Craig and thanks him for the time, energy and resources he has tirelessly given to St. Albans City School in moving us forward in this ever changing 21st Century educational environment.
Craig will always hold a special place in our hearts, no matterhow far away his travels will take him. We know he is excited to be “on the road again,” but we hope he will always think of Vermont, and St. Albans City School, as home. --Joan Cavallo is the principal at St. Albans City School.
City School bids farewell to proactive maker
By JOAN CAVALLO
Special to the Messenger
ST. ALBANS — On Friday September 15, St. Albans City School will bid a fond farewell to Craig Lyndes as he begins an exciting new journey, also known as retirement.
Craig has been more than our network administrator. Throughout his career, Craig has been a fervent advocate of the implementation of technological access and has worked diligently to bring this to students and staff. He has been the driving force behind making St. Albans City School a leader in technology.
“Craig does not bring in new technology, he brings in next technology,” Erica Bertucci shared as we discussed what Craig has meant to our school.
Eight years ago Craig lead the way in moving us to a “one to one” technology. He got us there, grew it each year and helped us develop and maintain a powerful infrastructure that allows every device to be used simultaneously without issue.
For technology to be useful, there needs to be more than hardware and software, it takes education and encouragement, Craig definitely has the rare ability to tailor his assistance and instruction to the level of anyone who walks through the door. He has always provided the perfect combination of technical expertise and respectful, encouraging people skills.
The Makerspace at St. Albans City School was highlighted in the draft Vermont Digital Learning Plan that the Agency of Education released this summer.
Today, the Makerspace has many teachers at St. Albans City School who are actively engaged with it, but when it all started several years ago, it was Craig who researched what we needed to get started.
His passion for making is evident in how he balances taking care of network and computer issues while always making time to tinker with the 3D printer or help a student figure out why their print didn’t work.
Walk into the Makerspace and you would see Craig problem solving with a student whose 3D printed tank has a part missing or teaching a colleague how to use the laser cutter or discussing with educators how to safely teach students to solder.
As Craig gradually gave the innovation specialists ownership over the makerspace, he always framed what was needed by asking the question: “How will this support or enhance student learning?”
Craig was often the one in front, making sure that our school maintains the strong foundation of technology awareness and application.
Craig has a strong belief that education must drive technology, and never the other way around. He understands that students and teachers are the focus of a school system, and he guides us in making decisions that support that philosophy. At all times education is more important than control.
He also makes sure that what we bring to students is open access, so they can learn to use tools that are available even when they are not at school.
St. Albans City School congratulates Craig and thanks him for the time, energy and resources he has tirelessly given to St. Albans City School in moving us forward in this ever changing 21st Century educational environment.
Craig will always hold a special place in our hearts, no matterhow far away his travels will take him. We know he is excited to be “on the road again,” but we hope he will always think of Vermont, and St. Albans City School, as home. --Joan Cavallo is the principal at St. Albans City School.