Questions People Ask About Teaching at Sahel Academy

Sahel Academy’s Media Center Needs You!

"As current Systems Administrator at Sahel Academy, I've been blessed to be a part of setting up the technology that is part of our campus, especially the Media Center which was dedicated in August 2009.  I feel so privileged to have been here 'for such a time as this,' but family concerns are now calling me home to the US." ~Lois Gillespie

Now it's your turn. A setup like this does not run itself; it needs continual upkeep and evaluation. That's where you come in. You are needed to oversee this technology and/or enhance and improve it so that these very special third-culture students can continue to enjoy the benefits of a digital world.

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Technology at Sahel Academy currently consists of two Windows 2003 servers which host file and print services, windows update services, School Maestro III (SQL-based school gradebook), backup services, and a virtual server running IPCop with Dan’s Guardian for internet filtering. Cabled and/or wireless network access is available from anywhere on campus. Other equipment includes three networked laser printers (one of them color), 2 non-networked copiers, 1 non-networked document scanner, and 3 standalone laser printers. Teachers make continual use of the school’s 4 video projectors, 4 monitors, 5-10 DVD players and 3-5 VCR’s (depending on number working at any given time). Currently, there are 42 school-owned workstations placed in the computer lab, library, elementary classrooms, art room, teachers’ workroom, maintenance office, phone closet, and dorm. Staff also make use of their own laptops, projectors, digital cameras and video equipment to enhance their teaching.

My responsibilities as Network Administrator at Sahel Academy have included:

• Overseeing Computer and Network/Internet infrastructure maintenance and development.

• Maintaining hardware and software necessary for campus-wide internet connectivity.

• Maintaining server hardware, network infrastructure, desktop computers, and other network-related equipment in computer lab, classrooms, offices, dorm, and library.

• Maintaining server-side software including but not limited to the network operating system, server backup, update server, server virus protection, e-mail (limited staff use only), internet filtering and caching server, SQL-based school gradebook, and server printing environment.

• Maintaining workstation software including but not limited to the desktop operating system, virus protection, office suite software, and printing.

• Maintaining library card catalog software, including daily backups and printing barcode labels, as well as local workstation access.

• Supporting the staff and students and their computer needs. This support will specifically include connection and access to documents provided on the school network, virus protection, printing to network printers, and access to the internet.

• Making purchasing suggestions/decisions to maintain or improve information resource offerings.

• As time (and knowledge) allows, assisting in technology educational course offerings which have included IGCSE Information and Communications Technology, Digital Storytelling, Yearbook, Digital Photography, as well as elementary keyboarding classes.

The technology curriculum for Grades K-12 includes a division-level scope and sequence and attempts to implement the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Students. Current lack of staff and/or staff development means this curriculum has not been completely implemented. Teachers regularly plan lessons that integrate the technology available and known to them. Plans for future staff development include enabling teachers to meet the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers. These standards can be located at (http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/NETS_for_Students.htm.

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In the classroom I have the opportunity to challenge students to think about how their studies can be applied to their lives as they seek to be all God created them to be.  Life is about more than academics, but excellence in academics as well as other parts of life, are part of our offering to a loving God.  This God wants a relationship with us.  He wants us to develop the gifts we were created with and use them to benefit others and bring glory to God, our Creator. 

The students at Sahel Academy come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and many have experienced living in several cultures in a short time span. They have incredible experiences and insights to share which make the learning environment all the richer.  They, like all of us, are on their own spiritual journeys and are seeking to better understand themselves, the world, and how they fit into it.  What a privilege to be a part of their discovery process, to learn and grow and serve with them!

- STAFF NEEDS -