What's your role at Knox?

My job title is Chief Information Officer (CIO) which means that I look after technology and data at Knox. This encompasses many hundreds of systems and solutions, from the 5,000 devices on our wireless each day to the systems that drive one of Australia’s largest and most complex schools. I lead an amazing team of technology professionals who are incredibly talented and hard-working, constantly imagining new ways to support student learning at Knox.

How long have you been with the School?

I joined Knox in early 2023, so I’m still very new to the Knox family.

What does a typical day look like for you at Knox?

There’s almost no ‘typical day’ for us in Knox IT. I might be spending time in our Service and Operations group as we manage thousands of devices in use across our 160+ learning spaces, designing, and planning with the Platform Engineering team who support our security, connectivity, and cloud services, or in Applications and Data, the team that maintain over 200 applications and systems we use each day. Most days bring many opportunities for creative problem-solving – it’s always moving!

What three things do you love most about working at Knox?

1. The students. At Knox we’re surrounded by motivated students eager to learn, explore, and experiment.
2. The colleagues. Knox’s teachers are talented, committed, and passionate about helping students to discover and grow.
3. The challenge. Every day I’m challenged to find creative new solutions to meet our evolving needs.

What or who inspired you to pursue a career in education?

My journey in education was inspired by exceptional teachers and leaders who fostered a vibrant learning environment. My transition from software engineering to teaching, and now to leading school technology, has been driven by the desire to create meaningful educational experiences.

What part of your role do you gain the most joy?

Collaborating with teachers and students on innovative projects brings me the greatest joy, from project-based learning and micro-credentials to data-driven insights that support individual student care.

Why did you join Knox?

Heading to Knox involved returning to K-12 education after four years in corporate IT. The experience continues to be intellectually stimulating and drives me forward.

What is the secret to good teaching and inspiring our young people?

Effective teaching hinges on cultivating a space where students can safely engage in challenge and experimentation, embracing both failures and successes as vital parts of the learning journey. I am enthusiastic about collaborating with our Knox educators as we embrace the novel prospects and hurdles that generative AI brings in this swiftly evolving educational landscape.

What achievement are you most proud of from your time at Knox so far?

One of the most rewarding experiences during my tenure at Knox has been the opportunity to work closely with our outstanding Executive Team and School Council, driving forward the strategic reimagining of our approach to technology, data management, and artificial intelligence. In an era where innovation must be approached with caution, we're navigating the delicate equilibrium between progressive growth, experimental learning, and the critical imperatives of privacy and security.

What’s your leadership style and why have you found this to be successful?

My leadership ethos is about nurturing autonomy and creativity within my team. Taking cues from L. David Marquet (‘Turn the Ship Around’), I strive for a leader-leader dynamic that fosters intentionality and collaboration – in a complex and varied environment I’ve found it effective in empowering team members to decide and act.

What impact do you hope to leave on your students?

Although I’m no longer a classroom teacher so don’t work directly with our students, I hope the impact of our work is that students develop as discerning, self-disciplined, and creative users of technology and data.

What is the biggest challenge facing the education sector at the moment? What would you like to see in the future or how do you intend to help fix the problem?

The pressing challenges within educational technology are mastering AI for its advantages while being cognisant of its risks, and ensuring robust cybersecurity that supports our learning-first philosophy.

Share one fun fact that people might not know about you.

Technology is fun – and coding is often my hobby, too – but there’s nothing I love more than a hard day working in the garden, especially if I can coax my primary school-aged boys into joining me!

What advice would you give to anyone joining Knox?

To anyone joining Knox, be ready for adventure. Start with small initiatives and look to gradually expand your influence, utilising the support of our vibrant community to make a meaningful impact.