Terry Wicker, Director, Office of Educational Technolgoy
  Julie Gaskin, Tech Resource Teacher

Terry is the most frequent supplier of the names which appear here, but this month, we didn't ask! He is a consistent supporter and advocate for the folks who work under him, but he has insisted in working in the background. He brings a unique balance of strong ideas with personal humility to his leadership role as head of the Office of Educational Technology.

Mr. Wicker was born in Martin, Kentucky, the son of two educators. He  grew up mostly in Morehead, where he finished high school and a degree in math education from Morehead State University. After a year at Bryan Station High School, he accepted a civilian position with the U.S. Air Force as a programmer. Over the next years he worked at Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and a collection of overseas assignments including Teheran, Taiwan, Egypt, and a host of other countries - often as a consultant to their air forces, and reaping awards wherever he went.

Terry took his current position with Fayette County in 1997, shortly after retiring from his Air Force duties. His work here has garnished several awards as well, including "Outstanding Administrator" from the Fayette County Administrators Association, "Second Mile Award" from the school board, and most recently "Award of Merit" from the Kentucky School Media Association. He has endeared himself to his staff at Fayette County by his unwavering support, and an attention to personal details such as birthdays and professional successes. He consistently encourages  teachers with creative ideas and few resources through direct support and equipment.

In his spare time, Terry has played tennis, and performed gospel music as a pianist. He devotes a great deal of attention to his faith. He lives in Winchester with wife Barbara, and they return to Dayton often to visit friends.

After several years as a school-based technology resource teacher for Stonewall and Cardinal Valley Elementary schools, Julie joins the staff of the Office of Educational Technology this year, splitting her responsibilities between Cardinal Valley and Tates Creek Elementary. She brings a tireless work ethic (10 hour days are almost the norm for Julie), an attention for detail, and some serious technology abilities to her new job. She has piloted several programs, including Read-180 student reading forums, Earobics, video conferencing initiatives, and live streams.

Julie is born and raised in Lexington, graduating from Tates Creek High School. She studied at the University of Georgia, and holds a Bachelors and Masters in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kentucky. She is a 23-year veteran of Fayette County, serving previously at Lansdowne, Yates, and Stonewall Elementary schools as a kindergarten/first/second grade teacher before crossing over to technology. She was an active STLP coordinator and web manager at both Stonewall and Cardinal Valley, and has served on the advisory council for the Community Action Board..

In her spare time (what there is of it!), Julie enjoys UK football, boating, and camping ("...[though] it's been awhile..."). She lives outside of Lexington with her Maltese, Pebbles.