Strategies for Creative Thinking Using Limited Resources

Strategies for Creative Thinking Using Limited Resources

Preparation and Adaptability: Lessons from Michelle Chenevert's Leadership at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge

Schools can effectively prepare for and adapt to unexpected disruptions, as demonstrated by Michelle Chenevert's experience at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge. Chenevert, the Director of Technology, has led the school through various crises, from floods to hurricanes, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2016, a slow-rising flood struck Baton Rouge, flooding four school buildings. The school quickly adapted by setting up temporary classrooms across campus and protecting critical technology like computers by moving them above water level. They worked tirelessly to restore network access and provide wireless connectivity for teachers working in these improvised spaces.

This experience led the school to gradually move away from physical servers toward cloud-based backups and software, reducing maintenance burdens and improving data security. When the COVID-19 pandemic closed the school in March 2020, these advancements allowed teachers, especially in the middle and upper schools, to seamlessly switch to remote teaching with laptops already in use, supplemented by available spare devices and iPads for lower school teachers.

Chenevert's approach to disaster preparedness is multifaceted. She maintains a long-range replacement schedule for the school's technology and a strict schedule on the health and wellbeing of the school's tech to avoid surprises. She monitors usage of devices and starts conversations with teachers about device usage and training needs.

In times of crisis, Chenevert demonstrates agility and quick response. She and her team worked overnight to ensure students could login and access the wifi to graduate during the flood. Similarly, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they worked diligently to transition to remote learning as smoothly as possible.

Chenevert also emphasizes the importance of staying updated. She recommends attending conferences, talking with vendors, and participating in mini-trainings to stay updated. She advises checking vendor sites for the remaining life of devices to avoid unexpected interruptions or expensive rush fees.

The school's technology setup includes a variety of tools, such as Aruba Cloud, Fortinet, Verkada, Gage Cloud Voice, JAMF, Microsoft Intune, Managed Methods, PowerSchool SIS, Canvas LMS, Seesaw, Clever, Adobe, Microsoft, Discovery Education, BrainPop, EdPuzzle, Book Creator, Gimkit, IXL, Apple Classroom, Canva, Copilot, Gemini, Magic School, ClassVR.

However, funding challenges have arisen. Chenevert had relied on Title II and IV funding in the past, but that funding has been frozen. Despite these challenges, Chenevert continues to lead with resilience and innovation.

In recognition of her leadership, Chenevert was awarded the Innovative Director of Technology Award at the 2021 Pre-ISTE Summit in San Antonio. Her experience serves as a powerful example of how investing in preparedness, flexible resource use, and tech modernization can enable schools to pivot effectively when unexpected disruptions occur.

[1] Source: EdTech Magazine, "Michelle Chenevert, 2021 Innovative Director of Technology Award Winner", 2021. [Link not provided]

1. During a flood in 2016, Michelle Chenevert, the Director of Technology at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, moved critical technology like computers above water level and provided wireless connectivity for teachers in temporary classrooms.
2. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she and her team at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge switched seamlessly to remote teaching with laptops, supplemented by iPads and spare devices, thanks to their advancements towards cloud-based software and backup capabilities.
3. Michelle Chenevert maintains a long-range replacement schedule for the school's technology and a strict schedule on the health and wellbeing of the school's tech to avoid unexpected issues.
4. In times of crisis, Chenevert demonstrates agility and quick response, such as ensuring students could login and access the wifi to graduate during the flood and transitioning to remote learning as smoothly as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Chenevert's approach to disaster preparedness also includes monitoring device usage, starting conversations with teachers about training needs, and staying updated through attending conferences, talking with vendors, and participating in mini-trainings.
6. Episcopal School of Baton Rouge's technology setup includes a variety of tools such as Aruba Cloud, Fortinet, Verkada, Gage Cloud Voice, JAMF, Microsoft Intune, Managed Methods, PowerSchool SIS, Canvas LMS, Seesaw, Clever, Adobe, Microsoft, Discovery Education, BrainPop, EdPuzzle, Book Creator, Gimkit, IXL, Apple Classroom, Canva, Copilot, Gemini, Magic School, ClassVR, yet funding challenges have arisen due to frozen Title II and IV funding.

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