The Snoqualmie Valley School District’s IT team has seen it all over the last few school weeks…WIFI connectivity issues, Zoom links that won’t load and freezing video feeds. Particularly Scott Beebe, the SVSD’s Executive Director of Digital Learning and the ‘Living Snoqualmie Hero of the Month.’
Scott and his team have been making lots of house calls and worked countless hours to help every child and family in the district who struggle with the technology necessary for online learning.
Considering how smoothly the transition to online learning has been over the last few weeks, you might be surprised to know that Beebe was just hired this past summer. The IT department has had to adjust faster than in years prior, given the increased importance their role is and the current infrastructure realities this school year.
Beebe isn’t new to this field. According to the SVSD website, he comes directly from the Marysville School District, where he served as Assistant Superintendent, CIO, CTO, and Director of Technology over the past six years. Before that, he was an elementary school principal and IT Supervisor for the Northshore School District, a Technology Learning Programs consultant for the Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD), and a classroom teacher and tech specialist in the Kent School District.
The School District seems more than pleased with their recent addition to their technology team. According to Superintendent Dr. Manahan, “When I hire for any position, I hope to find an individual with not only skills, technical expertise and job knowledge. But I also want one willing to do the right thing and go above and beyond the call of duty in the best interest of our students, staff, families and community. Scott has proven to be that person. He is a listener, a doer, and I am thrilled to have him as part of our team here in the Snoqualmie Valley School District!”
He isn’t new to the area either; he lived not too far from Fall City when he moved to Washington back in high school. Beebe notes that he “spent a great deal of time right here in this community. It was my go-to place for recreation and clearing my head. I’ve always loved it here. I’ve always had an affinity for the area, and when I saw this opportunity, I had to try for it.”
“I’ve been impressed with the ability to come together and make the best of a not-great situation, not just the school district but also the community at large. There are examples everywhere you look in every school and department in the district, and I’m humbled to be a part of it and a part of the community.”
The job has changed from what it was in the past. Thanks to Covid-19, his team has to scale rapidly, have quicker turnaround with critical systems, make important decisions and are often limited by supply constraints. Overall, his job has required a deeper level of creativity this school year.
Beyond requiring more creativity, the job also seems to demand a deeper level of commitment. Beebe has been making house calls to families of students all over the district who are struggling with the technology necessary for online learning. When asked to describe his house visits, he says they don’t always solve the issue. Still, it does build relationships and understanding, and that is what the business of education is about. Parents mostly want help and, in many cases, want to know someone cares about their child too, and he is happy to do that however he can.
Beebe feels strongly that this award belongs to the entire department, rather than just himself. “I truly believe the work is a team effort, and there are a lot of people doing work much more important than mine who deserve recognition. I believe the award goes to the Snoqualmie Valley School District. The people I’ve worked with are tirelessly dedicated to doing right by this community, and I am proud to call them colleagues and friends.”
Beebe has stayed in public education for the last 26 years because he believes in the work done for kids. Each step in his career path has been intentional, and it always comes back to doing the best he can for the children and the community he serves.
Scott Beebe, as well as the entire technology team within the SVSD, are all heroes. They’ve helped and will continue to help make everyone’s online learning experiences more accessible, more productive, and more technology error-free. Overall, he is a well-deserving hero of the month, strongly leading the SVSD’s IT team and supporting every district student.
Comments
Zoom is the worst video conferencing software I have used, yet the school district forces our children to suffer through “Zoom links that won’t load and freezing video feeds.” What a disgusting team of “educators.”
I don’t really like the texture of Zoom, but it’s ok with raisins and brown sugar. Good on a cold morning if you’re going to cut firewood, or take the kids tobogganing or something.