Building relationships is crucial for carrying out your district’s goals. That includes working closely with vendors to ensure smooth edtech implementation, says one leader.
When he joined the Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District during the pandemic, Director of Information Technology Bob Fishtrom had a unique opportunity to redesign tech use from the ground up.
In early 2020, the district was hit with a ransomware attack. Six weeks later, COVID-19 forced teachers and students home for remote instruction.
“I wanted to implement easy-to-use technologies that have standards across all the classrooms,” he says. “That way we, as a tech team, can support better and teachers can use it anywhere they go.”
Providing training and support
Fishtrom focused on enhancing the audio/visual setup of each classroom, knowing that no two classrooms were alike. In his previous district, his teachers used an instructional audio system that helped bridge the inequities between hard-of-hearing students and instruction.
The success led him to incorporate the system into his current district.
“Studies show that students cannot learn if they can’t hear and see what’s going on,” he explains. “It’s been a game changer for us.”
More importantly, he believes that teachers should be able to “plug and play, not plug and pray.” Meaning, tech implementation should be as streamlined as possible.
Fishtrom persuades reluctant teachers by explaining the how and why behind the district’s adoption of new edtech. The district used its ESSER funding to purchase 23.5-inch docking station monitors that were compatible with projection and audio systems, allowing teachers to add to their instructional toolbox.
“We haven’t had any resistance at all,” he says. “Our teachers are very appreciative.”
Advice for leaders
As you wrap up preparations for the 2025-26 school year, Fishtrom recommends that leaders prioritize developing relationships with vendors.
“Leaders need to take a look at how [vendors’] priorities align with their district’s goals and phase in new models accordingly,” he says.
It’s important not to throw everything at teachers at once when it comes to edtech. Allow for a slow build-up and let teachers get comfortable before adding more tools, he adds.
“In addition to phasing things in, you should also sit down with your cabinet and your board of trustees to meet the ever-changing needs of the classroom and of students, because that’s what we’re here for,” he concludes.
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