Volume 2, Number 9
May, 2002


Content Guide:
Suitable for elementary school students Elementary School
Suitable for middle school students Middle School
Suitable for high school students High School
General tips for teachers General

Technology Applied
Into the Classroom
STLP News
Through a Student's Eyes
Assistive Technology
The Web
Red-Hot Links
Literacy On Line
Tech Help
Tips from the Pros
Training Schedule at the Ambrose Lab
Staff profiles
Miscellaneous
"The network is down . . . " (humor)
The TIPS Archives

Instructional Technology Home Page
Fayette County Public Schools home page

Editor: Jeffrey L. Jones,
District TRT jjones@fayette.k12.ky.us

This website is intended for the instructional use of students and staff of Fayette County Public Schools

 



On this page:
Suitable for high school students Tech Support Profiles - Susan Abaecherli
Suitable for high school students Educational Technology Profile - Greg Drake

Susan Abaecherli, Microcomputer Specialist

Susan is a 15-year veteran of the Fayette County Public Schools system. She began her career as an instructional assistant at the old Fayette School, moving to Arlington Elementary in 1990 as a StaR, and joining the Office of Technology Support in 1995. She is the resident “historian” and is responsible for introducing “Susan moments” and "power surges" to the technology department! Her assigned schools are Ashland, Athens, Breckinridge, Cassidy, Ewan, and Morton.

A native of St. Louis, MO, Susan moved to Kentucky in the 70’s and obtained a BA degree in Human Services from the University of KY. Susan is married to Chuck Williamson, a wanna-be Senior Golf Pro, and a home health RN. They have 4 children between them and one adorable granddaughter.

Susan is an avid reader and organized the Red Tent Book Club in Lexington. She enjoys photography, shell-hunting, and July weekends at Lake Cumberland with former college roommates. Her dream upon retirement is to travel the length of Route 66, photograph “Americana” along the way, publish her adventures, and then move permanently to Amelia Island.

 


Greg Drake - Coordinator of Instructional Technology

Greg grew up in Greenwood, Mississippi and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi. Beginning in 1972, Greg worked in biomedical communications at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Memphis, qualifying him as an "early adopter" of technology. He moved to Kentucky in 1974. He holds a M.A.Ed. in special education from Eastern Kentucky University, and an Ed.S. in special education technology from the University of Kentucky.

His first teaching job involved a strong emphasis in technology. In 1976, he began teaching at Fayette School, a self-contained school for behaviorally disordered adolescents. The school had just opened the year before, and was largely funded by a federal grant that provided a television studio and a school-wide video distribution system. Students produced their own instructional programs, which were broadcast to classrooms for other students to use. Beginning in 1982, Greg was responsible for Fayette School's portion of another grant to use microcomputers to improve writing, thus becoming the one of the first teachers in the district to incorporate computer technology.

In the mid-1980's, Greg left the district for two years to teach at Greenville High School, in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky; and then Jessamine County Middle School. During that time, he taught special education and computer programming. The computer programming team he coached in Greenville won the state computer programming contest. That same year, Greg was voted teacher of the year for Greenville High School. Upon returning to Fayette County, he soon became the district's Assistive Technology Resource Teacher.

Since 1993, Greg has been Fayette County's Coordinator of Instructional Technology. During that time, Fayette County has become among the most technologically advanced school districts in the nation. He credits this success in no small part to the many dedicated educators with whom Greg has worked, including technology resource teachers, school technology coordinators, classroom teachers, and a host of other professionals. His wife, Beth, is the Media Specialist, School Technology Coordinator, and STLP Coordinator at Yates Elementary School. His son, Erik and daughter, Andy are both grown and both beginning successful health care careers.