Summer IT Interns Present at D228 Board Meeting

Over this past summer, two students from Bremen High School served as technology interns with the District's IT Department. Seniors Tyler Gramm and Richie Rhein worked with Network Analyst Robert Johnston and Information Technology Director Jim Donato. The plan was to assist with iPad deployment, but the boys did so much more. They spoke of their experience at the September 20 Board of Education meeting at Bremen High School.

Tyler Gramm explained that he likes technology and helps out in the Bremen Instructional Materials Center on a daily basis. He said the internship was a valuable learning experience and it was fun to see what the office environment was like in the Technology Department. The internship provided a lot of variety. In addition with working with iPads, he learned how to use a pound jack and troubleshoot time talk machines. He also worked behind the scenes with the software program Jampf and helped to rewire a lab and see what servers do in real life. Tyler said what he liked most was the opportunity to attend a meeting in the Apple Corporate Office in Chicago over the summer. The topic of discussion was how iPads can be used in the classroom in the future.

Richie Rhein said the internship was the most fulfilling opportunity he has had during his high school career. Richie plans to be a STEM major and go into that in college. While he 'fiddles around' with technology at home and takes computer science classes, he felt nothing provides a better experience than hands-on learning. Richie helped Mr. Donato set up new firewall and new access control lists by eliminating some settings and setting up new things. Richie said, "Now I can use [what I learned] at my house and help my parents restrict things from my younger brother." Richie will continue his internship during this school year.

Board Member Gleason thanked the students and said they provided a great gift. When President Stearns asked if the experience has changed their plans for the future, both boys said they now would like careers in technology.

Pictured are Bremen High School Principal Dave Kibelkis, Robert Johnston, Tyler Gramm, Richie Rhein, and Jim Donato.