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Ed Tech Appreciation day

Thanking Those Who Make Digital Teaching and Learning Work

by Lori Gracey December 7, 2022

written by Lori Gracey

As you’re reading this blog on a laptop or other device, you may not be thinking about all of the technical support needed to make it possible. Technology has become such a major part of our lives today that we tend to take it for granted. But there’s a lot of work that goes on in the background to make the hardware, software, and connections work. And if you’re in a school district, there is a dedicated group of individuals whose primary responsibility is to keep the tech working and to ensure that we all know how best to use it for teaching and learning.

Ed Tech Appreciation Day

Wednesday, December 7, 2022 is Ed Tech Appreciation Day. This day is designed to celebrate all the professionals who support the use of technology in schools. That covers a wide range of individuals: hardware and software technicians, network administrators, webmasters, database and lab managers, librarians, instructional technologists, administrators, and others. These are the folks who work day in and day out to ensure that the boxes and wires keep working, that you have the tech skills and training you need to best do your job, and that you are empowered with the latest tools and resources. Their learning never stops, and their patience has to be endless, both with the “stuff” and with us, the users.

Unfortunately, many of these dedicated individuals only hear from us when our computer stops working or when the network goes down. So surprise them this year by taking the time to craft a quick note and thank them for their support. Giving them a gift card or a few homemade cookies will go a long way in letting them know how much we really appreciate them. You could even involve your students and have them make a class thank you card or compose a short song to sing to them. These people are so critical to what happens in schools each day. Let’s make sure they know how much we appreciate them!

Additional Reading for Ed Tech Appreciation

December 7, 2022 1 comment

Celebrate Ed Tech Appreciation Day!

by Jennifer Bergland December 4, 2019

written by Jennifer Bergland

Did you know that this year, December 4 is Ed Tech Day? Observed in early December, the day is designed to celebrate the professionals who support the use of technology within a school district.

The celebration includes a wide range of hardworking professionals such as hardware and software technicians, network administrators, webmasters, database and lab managers, teachers, librarians, instructional technologists, administrators, and others. You might quickly think of all the professionals who facilitate your teaching and your students’ learning. Showing them how much they matter is the purpose of Ed Tech Appreciation Day.

Recognizing Dedication

This is a day intended for schools, districts, and communities to show their appreciation for the professionals who help make learning happen through technology.

In 2015, Ed Tech Appreciation Day was even officially recognized in the state of Texas. Here’s how we described the importance of the event then:

Education Technology Appreciation Day is important for two reasons. First, our technology teams play a critical role in providing rich learning opportunities for our students. Long hours of work and planning go into the set up and maintenance of networks, hardware, software, and other elements necessary for digital learning. The establishment of a day honoring technology staff communicates our appreciation of their efforts and their importance in our schools.
Second, recognizing the work of technology experts helps spread the word about the use of technology in our schools. Districts often struggle to provide the best possible tools for teaching and learning with limited budgets. Additional support, especially with broadband and other infrastructure challenges, is needed in order to help schools contend with the increasing demands and expenses associated with digital learning. Both for appreciating the professionals who support our teachers and students and for raising awareness about the need for more technology dollars, Education Technology Appreciation Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the amazing things happening on campuses all of Texas.
TechNotes, 2015

Want to celebrate this year? Check out our ideas below.

Showing Appreciation

Pick a day to celebrate this December and show your appreciation! In 2018, we outlined a few ideas for recognizing your remarkable ed tech professionals. You can explore them here.

Throw a party with all their favorite treats. Invite your superintendent and other district administrators to demonstrate the district’s support.
Offer chair massages in 15-minute slots.
Create a video/trailer of all the technology being used in your classrooms, or one with students, staff, parents, and administrators thanking them.
Have your local school board or city council issue an official proclamation honoring their service to the district.
Give them gift cards to local restaurants, Starbucks, or their favorite geek store.
Create a basket that teachers can fill with treats and goodies. Homemade cookies are always the right answer!
Ask students to create a 3D-printed trophy honoring their work and let the students make the trophy presentation. Check out these sample files of trophies.
Create posters recognizing them and display them around the school and local businesses.
Have students and teachers answer this question on Twitter: “What would we do without our tech team?” Add these hashtags #tceahero and #EdTechApprecationDay.
Offer an early release day for the technology team.
Place a banner on the district website announcing the day and thanking the technology employees.

How do you celebrate the folks who keep your classrooms connected? Let us know in the comments below!

Photo: Gaelle Marcel

December 4, 2019 0 comment

CTO/CIO Leadership

Show Appreciation for Your Technology Staff

by Jennifer Bergland December 5, 2018

written by Jennifer Bergland

When I became a technology director in 1995, our department consisted of myself, two trainers, and a part-time secretary. When I left the district in 2010, there were more than 40 employees supporting the use of technology throughout the district. This demonstrates how school districts have come to rely on the professional expertise of their technology staff. Like every other organization, technology is foundational to achieving the mission of the school district. This is why TCEA is once again, hosting Educational Technology Appreciation Day on December 5, 2018.

Why They Deserve Our Thanks

School district technology staff are tasked with what seems to be the impossible, but they figure out how to get it done. When asked what is the hardest part of her job, Kari Murphy, Chief Technology Officer of Deer Park ISD, said it was “keeping all the plates spinning.” This is true for technology staff from both large and small districts. Brenda Appreciation McDonald, Director of Technology for Anderson-Shiro ISD, said her biggest problem is “wearing many hats” and staying up to date on all the new technology. Technology departments are responsible for supporting the hardware and software used by end users, such as laptops, desktops, phones, projectors, TVs, smart boards, smartphones, and tablets. They also must ensure each of these devices can access the network and the Internet without any disruption and at a blazing speed. In addition to supporting all of the technology, these very capable, hard-working school employees help staff and teachers know how to use the technology to accomplish each of their professional goals. All of this is done with a smile. Sounds like Superman or Wonder Woman, doesn’t it? That’s because they are!

We’ve been compiling a list on how you can honor these superheroes. Below are just a few ways we have brainstormed. Please leave comments on other ideas you might have.

Ways to Show Appreciation for the Tech Staff

- - Have your teachers and staff visit TCEA’s Flipgrid (password: tcea) and tell your technology folks how much they are appreciated. Be sure and identify your district.
  - Throw a party with all their favorite treats. Invite your superintendent and other district administrators to demonstrate the district’s support.
  - Offer chair massages in 15-minute slots.
  - Have a contest to see who can finish this Ed Tech Hero Digital Breakout first.
  - Create a video/trailer of all the technology being used in your classrooms, or one with students, staff, parents, and administrators thanking them.
  - Use social media to publicly thank them. This isn’t fake news!
  - Have your local school board or city council issue an official proclamation honoring their service to the district.
  - Give them gift cards to local restaurants, Starbucks, or their favorite geek store.
  - Create a basket that teachers can fill with treats and goodies. Homemade cookies are always the right answer!
  - Ask students to create a 3D-printed trophy honoring their work and have the students make the trophy presentation. Check out these sample files of trophies.
  - Create posters recognizing them and display them around the school and local businesses.
  - Have students and teachers answer this question on Twitter: “What would we do without our tech team?” Add these hashtags #tceahero and #EdTechApprecationDay.
  - Offer an early release day for the technology team.
  - Place a banner on the district website announcing the day and thanking the technology employees.

Technology is an important part of educating our students for the future. Celebrating the endeavors of technology employees honors their work and communicates the importance of technology in our schools. Let your technology team know how invaluable they are by celebrating their outstanding work on December 5, 2018.

This blog post was originally published in November 2017. However, it has been updated with dates for Educational Technology Appreciation Day 2018.

December 5, 2018 0 comment