Heather Sherburn is a retired Assistant Superintendent, K–12 Education and the Chief Academic Officer for SchoolDay.
One of the things I don’t think most people realize is just how much today’s schools depend on their IT departments.
During my career overseeing curriculum, instruction, and technology, I watched school technology evolve from a support function into one of the most mission-critical departments in a district. We weren’t just keeping computers running anymore. We were implementing a new student information system, opening a fully digital high school, supporting Google Classroom and Canvas, deploying hundreds of instructional applications, installing interactive classroom displays with wireless casting, managing digital curriculum, and partnering with instructional coaches to help teachers integrate technology into daily instruction.
And that’s only the instructional side.
Our technology team was also responsible for devices, printers, wireless access points, security cameras, door access systems, alarm systems, phones, stadium scoreboards, theater technology, data integrations, vendor onboarding, student privacy, application approvals, and countless help desk requests that arrived every single day.
Even though we contracted with outside partners for network management and cybersecurity monitoring, our district was still responsible for creating a secure technology environment. That meant reviewing applications, negotiating data privacy agreements, training staff, managing user access, reducing cyber risk, and making sure every new system fit into an increasingly complicated technology ecosystem.
It’s a massive job.
And it’s only getting harder.
That’s why I worry when I hear people say, “Our IT staff will figure it out.”
For years, that’s how many districts have approached professional learning for technology staff. Someone encounters a new problem, researches it, fixes it, and moves on to the next challenge. Experience absolutely matters in IT—but today’s technology changes too quickly for experience alone to keep pace.
Artificial intelligence is changing workflows almost monthly. Cybersecurity threats evolve daily. Cloud platforms introduce new features constantly. Software vendors update products several times a year. New privacy regulations continue to emerge.
Simply learning on the job isn’t enough anymore.
The districts that will be most successful over the next decade won’t necessarily have the biggest technology budgets. They’ll be the ones that intentionally invest in continuously upskilling their IT teams.
The Challenge Most Districts Face
Here’s the reality.
School districts struggle to compete with private industry salaries.
As IT professionals gain valuable skills, many leave for opportunities that schools simply can’t match financially. I’ve seen it happen throughout my career, and I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon.
Instead of hoping turnover won’t happen, districts need to build systems that expect it.
That means documentation.
Standardized practices.
Shared knowledge.
And ongoing professional learning that helps every team member build a strong technical foundation.
When someone leaves, the knowledge shouldn’t leave with them.
It’s Not Just About Technical Skills
One lesson I learned over the years surprised me.
Some of the best technicians I worked with needed just as much coaching on customer service as they did on technology.
Think about the teacher whose interactive display won’t connect five minutes before first period.
Or the principal whose student information system isn’t working during enrollment.
Or the office secretary whose printer suddenly stops working while parents are lined up.
Technology problems are people problems.
The best IT professionals understand both.
They know how to solve technical issues while also recognizing the stress those issues create for the people they support.
Empathy, communication, and service are every bit as important as technical expertise.
Cybersecurity Changes Everything
If there’s one area that makes continuous learning non-negotiable, it’s cybersecurity.
School districts have become prime targets because they hold valuable information and depend on technology to operate every day.
Protecting a district isn’t just about installing security software.
It’s about making hundreds of smart decisions every week.
Which applications should we approve?
How should access be managed?
Are staff recognizing phishing attempts?
Is sensitive data being shared appropriately?
What new vulnerabilities were discovered this month?
Cybersecurity is never finished.
Neither is learning.
Investing in People Is Still the Best Technology Investment
Over the years, I’ve come to believe something that applies just as much to IT departments as it does to teachers.
Technology doesn’t improve schools.
People do.
The devices, software, networks, and AI tools are important—but they’re only as effective as the people implementing, supporting, securing, and improving them.
That’s why continuous professional learning isn’t a nice extra for school technology departments anymore.
It’s part of running a modern school system.
Whether it’s earning a CompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft, or Cisco certification—or simply building new skills in cybersecurity, networking, cloud technologies, or customer service—the goal is the same: helping technology teams become more confident, more capable, and better prepared for what’s next.
Because when IT gets better, every classroom benefits.
And ultimately, that’s what this work has always been about.
As I’ve continued working in education after retiring from district leadership, I’ve become even more convinced that one of the best investments schools can make is giving their IT professionals access to continuous, flexible learning. That’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about what we’re building with SchoolDay Academy, powered by Coursera.
We offer thousands of courses and industry-recognized certifications that meet IT professionals wherever they are in their careers—from foundational certifications like CompTIA A+ to advanced Microsoft, Cisco, cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, and leadership pathways. Because every member of an IT team has different responsibilities and experience, unlimited access allows each person to learn what is most relevant to their role, when their schedule allows. Anyone who has worked in school technology knows that the day rarely goes as planned. Help desk tickets, emergencies, and unexpected outages don’t leave much room for traditional professional development. Self-paced learning makes it possible to build new skills without stepping away from the work that keeps schools running.
At $149 per user annually—or as low as $90 per user for larger district licenses—it’s an affordable way to support continuous growth across an entire technology team. And because I believe districts should experience it before making a commitment, SchoolDay Academy also offers a 30-day free trial.
If you’re looking for a practical way to keep your IT team learning in a field that never stands still, I hope you’ll give it a try.