2024 – 2025 Durham Public Schools Technology (Tech) Champion Role Description
The purpose of DPS Tech Champions are to improve the utilization of technology within the district, increase technical skills across campuses and enhance communication between the Information Technology department (DPS IT), faculty/staff and students.
What is a Tech Champion?
A DPS Tech Champion is a liaison between DPS IT, their school, and the entire DPS district.
A Tech Champion provides direction for first-line technology support and identifies training needs for all members of their school community. As an advocate, a Tech Champion brings technology initiatives and knowledge to their area on behalf of DPS IT and lobbies for their peers in relation to technology resources and support. Tech Champions should NOT submit IT Support tickets on behalf of other staff. All staff should submit their own IT incidents and requests via the DPS IT Support Center.
Tech Champion Mission Statement
The mission of a Tech Champion is to empower educators, students, and staff through innovative technology solutions, fostering an environment of continuous learning, collaboration, and digital literacy. We strive to enhance educational experiences, streamline administrative processes, and ensure equitable access to cutting-edge tools and resources, preparing our school community for the future
Benefits
A Tech Champion increases their knowledge and the assistance provided to students and district staff to become more technologically efficient. As the level of expertise rises, the school can explore new projects and ideas more easily. A communication network with other Tech Champions helps increase district process knowledge and expands awareness of IT initiatives.
From a personal standpoint, being a Tech Champion is a great leadership opportunity. Tech Champions are technology leaders in their schools and have the satisfaction of helping others. Working closely with IT allows for the opportunity to provide feedback and input on new technology initiatives. Additional benefits include:
- Early access to pilot new software and IT initiatives.
- Increased access to monthly technical training and learnings.
- Technical conference attendance with Principal/IT approval.
- Customized professional development related to technical skills.
Accountabilities
- Direct all first-line technical support for schools to DPS IT Support Center (https://itsupport.dpsnc.net/ or ITSupport@dpsnc.net).
- Execute DPS IT student device distribution, collection and quarterly audits of school’s allocated technology assets.
- Assess technical training needs at school level and partner with DPS IT to schedule and execute.
- Collaboration with IT, Digital Teaching and Learning, and other Champions to share process improvements across district and complete the annual DLMI survey.
- Monthly participation in IT Tech Champion sessions (2nd Tuesday of each month).
Qualifications
- Principal recommendation with one year appointment.
- Demonstrate intermediate technology skills - moderate amount of previous computer experience, including an understanding of computer hardware and software components, operating systems, and networking.
- Demonstrate a high level of the following professional skills – Communication, Change Management, Problem Solver.
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude.
- Strong communication skills.
- Willingness to learn.
- Approachable.
Terms: Ten months during the traditional calendar year.
Stipend:
- $75 per month for school with PowerSchool attendance of less than 350 students.
- $100 per month for school with PowerSchool attendance of 351 - 650 students.
- $125 per month for school with PowerSchool attendance of 651 students.
Evaluation: Performance of this role will be evaluated regularly by the Principal and DPS IT Leadership.