INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STUDENT INTERNS PROVIDE VITAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS
Aditya Thota is a senior at Rock Ridge High, but twice a week he can be found providing IT support to the students and teachers at Creighton’s Corner Elementary. Similarly, Kuthan Kukrer is a senior at Briar Woods, but twice a week he is at Discovery Elementary, offering the same type of support. Thota and Kukrer are two of LCPS’ 11 Department of Digital Innovation (DDI) interns.
These 11 interns, who are not paid, are the first in this program which began in August and will continue through December. The interns are assigned to 11 elementary schools. The hope is to expand this program to other elementary schools as well as middle and high schools in the county.
The average day for the DDI interns starts early, at 7 a.m., 30 minutes before the start of the elementary school day, and continues until 8:30 a.m. Each intern is assigned to a school’s Digital Experience Specialist (DES). Chris Watson, LCPS’ Supervisor of Digital Experience, jokingly calls the DES staff members the break-it/fix-it people. Each elementary school student is issued a Chromebook, which means there is typically a daily need for Chromebook repairs and replacements, Watson explained. The DDI interns help DES staff members check in and out loaner Chromebooks and make Chromebook repairs. Interns also help with connecting substitute teachers to classroom technology, especially the Promethean interactive devices, which connect wirelessly. Larger elementary schools can have as many as 20 substitutes in a day, so having interns help substitutes get set up for the day is a great assistance, said Watson.
Interns provide regular teachers support with have technology needs, perhaps a loaner laptop for the day or help with software installation. Another critical task, though not glamorous, is working with the copiers. These fickle machines jam or run out of toner at the most inconvenient times. DDI interns are tasked with responding to these problems.
“The goal of our interns is to help the DES staff member make sure everyone has what they need. They help get the substitutes settled in. They make sure the teachers have what they need. Then, it’s on to the students. Once the student and staff needs are met, the intern can see to other work like helping with inventorying equipment or checking on the copiers. This is really front-line support that is invaluable to the school and a great experience for the interns.”
As for Thota and Kuker, they value the intern experience.
“This is an excellent experience,” said Thota. “I’m getting great job experience in a professional environment. I also get to work with people who have a high degree of experience. Plus, I feel like I’m really giving back to my community.”
Kuker also values the engagement with the community. “Working for the school is very cool. I feel like a mentor for the younger kids who don’t see me as a student but think I’m another teacher. Plus, I’ve learned a lot and met a lot of great people.”
The two interns also said their friends have asked them about the program. Watson confirmed that the program is gaining attention among students as the interns share their experiences.
“This program offers great interaction with teachers and students. The interns are learning skills beyond computer tech. They are learning about customer service and communication, invaluable skills. I hope we can continue to grow and expand this program,” said Watson.
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