New Technology Supervisor Takes Over at West Essex

The West Essex Regional School District has appointed a new supervisor of technology.

Charles Young, an informational technology manager for the Somerset Hills School District, is the new West Essex supervisor of technology for the 2014-15 school year. Young, a Morris Township resident, has more than 15 years of experience in information technology in the commercial, government, private and public sector.

Young, who began his newly created position on July 1, said he plans “to keep West Essex at the leading edge of educational technology by staying current with various trends and advances in technology.”

His appointment was approved by the West Essex Regional Board of Education at its June 2 meeting. Superintendent of Schools Barbara Longo worked with the West Essex Regional Board of Education to create the new position to help prepare the district for the future. 

The new supervisor has been the information technology manager for Somerset Hills for six years. Young was previously a technology coordinator in a K-12 District in Pennsylvania and worked as an instructional technologist for the University of Scranton.

Young has a degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Scranton and a master’s degree in instructional technology from Wilkes University.

Young said he is looking forward to his new position and plans to work with West Essex Director of Curriculum and Instruction Ryan Gupta to “make education more dynamic and exciting” and establish a professional development plan that incorporates technology to help West Essex teachers stay current with technology and improve the education of students in the district.

"Successful integration of technology in education is the result of technology having a purpose, not just having technology for technology’s sake,” he said. “I believe wholeheartedly that technology initiatives should support curriculum.  How can technology support teaching and learning? What tools are available for teachers and students to succeed? Buying devices or installing new technology just because is not enough anymore. A well-developed plan for professional development is also a must.”

Young said he first plans to do a lot of listening. 

“I want to learn about all the good things West Essex is trying to accomplish and establish an understanding of the interactions the technology department has with the other departments it supports,” he said. “Building relationships and fostering open communication with other departments is key to a successful roadmap for the future.”

When asked about specific improvements Young plans to make at West Essex, he noted that “technology cannot be an obstacle, but an effective tool for both students and teachers."

"I will first get to know how things are running in the district to better prepare the district for the future," he said. "I plan to keep West Essex at the leading edge of educational technology by staying current with various trends and advances in technology.”