NORTHFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Regional School District will see increased activity in its newly renovated Innovation Center and changes to its technology department staff this year.
Outgoing Director of Technology John Heffernan gave a presentation to the School Committee on Sept. 12, highlighting activity in the technology department over the past year. He and Superintendent Jonathan Scagel said they collaborated to create a district-wide technology vision.
Over the past year, Heffernan said the district secured funding for a new internet vendor, which was chosen to provide three times faster and less expensive internet to Pioneer and Warwick Community School. Chromebooks and iPads were secured through donations from local businesses, rural school aid and the district budget, including a traveling elementary iPad cart. Plus, the district acquired robotics project kits.
“We’re trying to get students innovating, creating and designing,” Heffernan said.
Many faculty server hard drives and monitored back-up systems were established, and the Pioneer Language Labs audio system was replaced. Additionally, the nurse’s office received new laptops, and the nurse student management system was transferred to a cloud-based system.
Coming in as the new director of technology is Tyler Pless, who previously worked as the network administrator for the Pioneer district and with a consulting firm called Western Massachusetts IT. Scagel said he is well-suited for the position, given his experience and familiarity with the district’s technology history and specific needs.
Heffernan will return to the classroom as the new Makerspace teacher for the seventh grade class, held in the district’s Innovation Center. The center focuses on various aspects of technology education. Students work with robotics kits, engineering projects, 3-D printing and more.
“This is going to catapult this program to new heights, and will be a model program in the state,” Scagel said of having Heffernan back in the classroom and the acquisition of the new robotics kits.
Heffernan said he was so excited by the changes to the Innovation Center that he decided to return to his “first love of teaching,” and filled the Makerspace teacher position.
“We’re trying to help students get the skills they need to get out in the workforce,” Heffernan said. “Why not start as young as possible?”
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.