Left to Right: Dr. Alison Schleede (Director of Technology), Jarrett Whiteside (WAN Engineer), Chris Hutelmyer (Tech III), Logan Absher (Tech II), Leslie Lawrence (Tech II), Reneé Robinson (Tech I)
Behind the scenes of many of Watauga County Schools’ successes are the members of the WCS Technology Department. From efficiently facilitating the transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensuring that every student in WCS has a Chromebook, the WCS Technology Department keeps the county running smoothly.
The WCS Technology Department consists of 5 full-time technical staff members and a Help Desk to keep the technology behind every school operating correctly. Their responsibilities are expansive, from maintaining data security and privacy county-wide to maintaining building security, the WCS Tech Department is the backbone of Watauga County Schools.
Dr. Alison Schleede: Director of Technology
Dr. Alison Schleede has an expansive background working in education and technology. Schleede started as a teacher and has held a variety of positions, from an instructional technology facilitator to a principal in China. Schleede has been the Director of Technology for Watauga County Schools for over two years.
As the Director of Technology for WCS, Schleede works on short and long-term planning for how technology is used in the district, ensuring that each student has a Chromebook, ensuring that all the technology, from the projectors in each classroom to the security systems in all the schools, work efficiently, and more.
“I plan, short and long term, how we use different technology,” said Schleede. “I also make sure we have all the licenses and contracts for the programs, software, and servers we use.”
Beyond overseeing technology in the district, Schleede also oversees the instructional technology facilitators and media specialists.
“I think being able to go out and talk with the [instructional technology facilitators and media specialists] and see what they’re doing is great,” said Schleede. “Seeing how teachers are doing creative things with technology and what the kids can do is neat.”
Another responsibility Schleede has is overseeing the budget for technological purchases for the entire district, which includes the programs and software used to support that technology.
“We’ve streamlined the process [for purchasing technology] and I’ve worked with the finance department to make sure that people aren’t buying things we can’t support,” said Schleede. “We also recycle and sell technology to have more in our budget for things like flat panels, document cameras, and other devices.”
Schleede also ensures that students and faculty alike are protected when they use technology.
“There’s a lot I do with data security and making sure that the products we’re using are protecting our kids’ data,” said Schleede. “I need to make sure that our kids are protected, I don't want their personal information out to the world.”
Schleede appreciates that the work she does allows students to use technology to discover new things and that technology affords everyone the same opportunities.
“I love the opportunities that technology can give students,” said Schleede. “Technology levels the playing field for our kids, I love that.”
Jarrett Whiteside: WAN Engineer
Jarrett Whiteside has worked for the school system for seven years and has held his current position for five. As the network engineer for the WCS Technology Department, Whiteside’s responsibilities include facilitating the interconnectivity between all of the schools and the central office, the devices that connect to the school system’s networks, and the firewall that the state provides.
“I’m in charge of everything that connects all of the schools and then what connects us to the outside world,” said Whiteside.
Whiteside has a degree in software engineering and wanted to work with people.
“My degree was in software engineering, and I decided that I liked working with people more than I liked hammering on the keyboard,” said Whiteside.
One of Whiteside’s favorite aspects of his career is being able to fix things and seeing the impact of his work on students and staff.
“I like when big things break because it forces you into action and you usually learn more when things break,” said Whiteside. “I like seeing how what we do directly impacts students and staff and what they do.”
Whiteside’s passion lies in seeing the effects of the effort of him and his team on students and staff alike.
“We chose to be here because we want to see that our work impacts students as they learn,” said Whiteside.
Chris Hutelmyer: Tech III
Chris Hutelmyer has been with the Watauga County School district for over 15 years. Hutelmyer began his career with the district as a testing and technology assistant but then became a technician when a position became available. Hutelmyer is now a Technician III.
Hutelmyer’s journey into a career in technology was unconventional, from working in restaurants to being the NC Wise Coordinator, he’s done a little bit of everything.
“I’ve done everything, I worked in a music store, insurance, I was a janitor,” said Hutelmyer. “I’ve always liked fixing things, and then this job opened up and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
As a Tech III, Hutelmyer’s responsibilities vary greatly on the time of day and year.
“In December, I do all the software on the computers for CT testing, right now I’m working on the E-Rate which takes up a lot of my time,” said Hutelmyer. “I work on the software that we have on teacher devices, web filtering, and the technology with the new school that's being built.”
Hutelmyer likes his position for a variety of reasons. Hutelmyer enjoys working with his team. Having children who attend school in the district makes Hutelmyer feel invested in his career as a member of the technology department for WCS.
“I feel like a part of why we work well as a team is because we’re invested in what we do, we’re invested in the schools doing well and the teachers and students getting what they need, we want all the kids to succeed,” said Hutelmyer. “We’re all working together for the betterment of everyone, it’s nice to be a part of a school community.”
Logan Absher: Tech II
Logan Absher is a Tech II in the WCS Technology Department and has been with WCS since the fall of 2015. Absher has been a Tech II for four years.
Absher’s passion for technology began during high school.
“I started in high school repairing video game consoles,” said Absher. “I then got my Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems and got a job here.”
Absher assists Parkway, Green Valley, Hardin Park, Blowing Rock, and the Virtual Academy with repairs and technology issues.
“I repair on-site their Chromebooks, teacher laptops, and desktops,” said Absher.
Like others in the Technology Department, Absher’s favorite part of his job is his team.
Leslie Lawrence: Tech II
Leslie Lawrence is a Tech II in the WCS Technology Department and has been in the position since the fall of 2018. Lawrence travels to the western end of the school district to assist students and faculty with technology.
“I go to Bethel, Mabel, Cove Creek, and Valle Crucis,” said Lawrence.
Lawrence repairs student Chromebooks, teacher laptops, desktops, and other technology equipment.
“I like traveling to different schools and helping the kids,” said Lawrence. “They think it’s like magic when you walk in the room and it’s all magically fixed.”
Before becoming a Tech II, Lawrence worked in the medical field for 17 years after graduating from Appalachian State University with a degree in information systems.
“I worked in the medical field doing computer support for electronic medical records,” said Lawrence. “After that, I decided that I wanted to work for the school system.”
Reneé Robinson: Tech I
As a Technology Technician I, Reneé Robinson serves county-wide in a variety of ways.
“I serve the county when it comes to inventorying different technology that’s needed throughout,” said Robinson. “I’m also responsible for working on tech support for any issues that the students have at the high school.”
Beyond inventory and tech support, Robinson says a big part of her job is ensuring that students county-wide have internet access.
“Hotspots have been a big part of my job to make sure that families that don’t have internet access [have] a hotspot,” said Robinson. “I set those up and make sure that students can use their Chromebooks with their hotspots at home.”
Besides helping students and faculty throughout WCS with technology, Robinson enjoys seeing students and working with her team.
“[My] favorite part of my job is when students come in,” said Robinson. “I love our team.”
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