PHMS Geek Squad Develops Technology Help Desk
W
ith the district’s expanded
1:1 student-to-technology
rollout this year, Pleasant Hills
Middle School has developed a
creative way to handle the demand for increased
technical support for the Chromebooks by staff
and students – the PHMS Geek Squad! Beginning
in January 2019, Mrs. Mitko, 7th grade math
teacher, introduced and implemented a student-
run Help Desk located in the middle school lobby
staffed by her weekly Interest Group, the Geek
Squad.
Members of the Geek Squad meet after
school on Wednesdays to fix printers, replace
ink, and calibrate projectors. The group also
noticed a need for recycling, so it added weekly
collecting of recycling to their job descriptions.
Most importantly, these 21st century techies
help teachers (who grew up in the late 20th
century) with Google Apps for Education and
troubleshoot technology issues in the classrooms
which minimizes help-tickets escalating to the
district’s Technology desk.
The student-run Help Desk has a noble
purpose. In their own words, their mandate
is to provide support for students and staff
so technology can be used daily to enhance
learning.
Students on the Geek Squad volunteer their
time during homeroom, activity period, or study
hall to work at the Help Desk, and students who
need assistance with their Chromebook are able
to visit the Help Desk for same-day support.
They attempt to fix issues with printing, wifi,
wallpaper, charging, apps, and keyboards. If a
Chromebook cannot be repaired, Geek Squad
members are authorized to issue a replacement
Chromebook. All interactions with students
and staff are logged into a Google Form to aid
in communication and transparency amongst
Geek Squad members. Plans for the future
include options such as email support or Google
Groups. Students will continue to network with
Mr. Zunic, Mrs. Mitko, and the WJHSD Technology
Department to improve and build upon the
program. After all, the initial student who
inspired the creation of the PHMS Geek Squad,
Stephen Ciechalski, now WORKS for the WJHSD
Technology Department.
Just consider the Geek Squad the AAA Farm
Team for the big leagues…
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS
❘
SPRING 2019
47