The 21st century ushered in big changes in the classroom. Alongside reading, writing and arithmetic, educators must teach students how to use technology, how to practice good digital citizenship and how to cultivate information literacy.

And, with mountains of information at their fingertips, it's critical that kids can figure out what’s real and what’s not. With a diverse background, Lisa DeLapo, Director of Information and Instruction Technology at Union School District, possesses a unique blend of talents that’s perfectly suited towards steering students toward what’s valid and true in a complex world.

A ‘Rainbow Unicorn’ Works her Magic

Highly skilled in both education and networking and communications technology, this rainbow unicorn’s super powers were called into play when the pandemic struck and school facilities closed to keep students safe and to contain the spread of the deadly disease.

Her San Jose, California school district quickly assembled a distance learning program so that its 5,800 students could complete the academic year, and it was up to Lisa to figure out how parents and staff would communicate as they worked from home.

Teachers who previously relied on desk phones needed to take their extensions with them. Normally they would have to give out their personal cell phone numbers, but Lisa had a better plan.

Ready to see Lisa’s Rainbow Unicorn? Watch her Original Thinkers video now:

Voila! Instant Mobility

An 8x8 customer since 2016, Union School leveraged 8x8 X Series. The mobility inherent in the 8x8 system made an immediate impact.

Lisa kept the district’s familiar 8x8 unified communications call routing structure intact - all incoming calls go to a single number with an automated attendant - and instructed everyone, including teachers and counselors, to start using the 8x8 Work app. 8x8 made it easy to keep teachers’ direct-dial and cell phone numbers confidential by assigning their Caller IDs as the main district number. Incoming calls to teachers’ extensions are blocked when they are teaching, thanks to clever scheduling in the automated attendant. Her quick thinking approach earned top marks from students and faculty alike.

“8x8 is the best phone system. It goes everywhere our teachers, administrators and staff go,” Lisa says. “The fact that we can take calls on our computers, iPads or phones - anywhere we have an internet connection... it’s wonderful!”

Technology in the Classrooms: An Interesting Ride

As technology continues to evolve, Lisa remains steadfast in keeping students’ data safe, and staff and faculty safe online. While the pandemic accelerated new ways for students and parents to stay connected with faculty and staff, these changes represent a new age in collaboration that will continue requiring nimble and agile leadership. Lisa DeLapo is up to the task. As a model and inspiration for good digital citizenship, Lisa is an 8x8 Original Thinker.

Want to learn more about Union School District's use of 8x8 for distance learning? Read their customer story here.