Susan Nilo pauses for a photo in front of her computer in her office in the Board of Education's Central Office building in Sparta. Nilo was recently named the schools technology coordinator. She is taking over the reins from Britt Shaw, who left the job in July of this year.

Nilo focuses on staff development as school technology coordinator

As the new technology coordinator for Alleghany County Schools (ACS), Susan Nilo is conducting workshops this month for every certified teacher in the school system.

The workshops are known as ‘TIPS', technology integration planning sessions. "What I said to them was, bring the part of their curriculum they dislike the most," Nilo said. "We're finding additional resources as well as ways they can bring in technology to make it less painful for them as well as less painful for students, make it a little better for everybody involved."

She remarked, "I enjoy exactly what I'm doing this month, bringing in teachers and showing them how to use the technology themselves and infuse it in the classrooms to better educate students."

Nilo had been ACS' technology facilitator since March and became coordinator following the resignation of Britt Shaw in July. ACS staff members decided then to redistribute some duties, based on the different strengths each brought to the position.

Referring to Shaw, Nilo explained, "His strengths were in the technical, engineering end of things." Her focus is still on facilitation, the curriculum and staff development end of the school's technology program, where she feels her strengths lie.

"When I came here (the central office) in March, I was coming out of the classroom after 10 years of teaching," said Nilo.

Staff members such as Assistant Superintendent Janice Linker (who is also special programs director) and curriculum/instruction specialist Kim Elliott are also providing leadership with technology, Nilo said. She is herself a success story in the use of computer technology in education. She earned her master's degree in instructional technology from Appalachian State University but without having to attend classes in Boone. The facilities of the A. Anderson Huber Cyber Campus at Alleghany High School made that possible. "We video conferenced basically all our courses from ASU," she explained.

Career Course Change

Born in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Nilo came to Sparta with her family when she was five and grew up here. She attended Sparta School and graduated from AHS.

She then earned a bachelor's degree in office systems management at ASU, and that seemed to be the track she was on.

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