A look at how the tech team has

Ladue’s tech team works to maintain online learning. The team has guided students and teachers through thousands of tech issues so far this year. “We figure out where our fires are the hottest and position towards the most urgent issues,” Adam Stirrat said. (Photo by Ginger Schulte)

TECH TACKLES TROUBLES Technology department helps district navigate online learning

RYAN TUNG features staff

At 4:30 a.m., the phone buzzes. 645 unread emails fill the screen — computers have broken, applications have crashed and servers have failed. As Adam Stirrat grabs his phone and sifts through the messages of distress, he braces himself for the day.

Stirrat, an instructional technology specialist entering his 20th year at Ladue, works alongside D’Ante’ DuCasse’, Rob Highfill, Dan Marks, James Nahrgang, Jeremy Smith and Drew Woerther in the Ladue Technology Department. Dedicated to building, maintaining and teaching educational technology, this team works behind the scenes to provide the resources needed for online learning.

“The Technology Department gives support for classroom technology,” Stirrat said. “[We] show teachers how to integrate technology in their classes, are in charge of servers and accounts and repair damaged laptops.”

As a global pandemic forces schools to rely on technology to maintain education, the need for technological support has surged. In Ladue alone, the number of assistance requests to the district Help Desk has skyrocketed since the start of the school year.

“Traditionally, [the number of requests] hovers between 100 to 160 Help Desk tickets per week,” Stirrat said. “At the end of last week, we were almost at 800.”

In response, the department has dramatically expanded its efforts. Through early mornings and late evenings, the small team scrambles to tackle the most pressing issues.

“It has been massive,” DuCasse’, the department’s Help Desk Manager and Webmaster, said. “[The influx] has caused each person to be stretched in terms of what we’re normally able to handle.”

Despite the immense efforts, the sheer volume of issues has started to overwhelm the team’s operation. With every Ladue student now paired to a device, district-wide technical issues continue to grow.

“We’re all hands on deck,” Stirrat said. “Sadly, we don’t have enough hours in the day and people on the team to satisfy the constant problems we’re having.”

Although the onslaught of technological issues shows no signs of slowing, the department perseveres. Understanding technology’s crucial role in education, the team continues to aid as many as possible.

“It’s important for us to make sure that [technology] is working properly so that teachers can [teach] and students can learn,” DuCasse’ said.

This support is vital for teachers struggling to adapt to the new digital environment. For Patricia Chavez, art and graphic design teacher, initial technological issues prevented her from moving forward with curriculum. Without a solution, Chavez feared she would not be able to continue teaching

“There were so many problems [that] I could not troubleshoot,” Chavez said. “[The Technology Department’s] help was essential. I’m grateful for their kindness and patience — they’re always willing to solve the problem and go the extra mile.”

Through persistent effort, the Technology Department strives to make online learning a success. While the rush of issues is far from over, the team remains ready to tackle the struggles of the unconventional school year.

“We’re doing our best,” DuCasse’ said. “Our ultimate goal is to give kids the best possible education we can and also to keep them safe.” p 9.30.20 11