Michelle Murphy on Bridging the Digital Divide at Coachella Valley Unified

In Riverside County, California, the Coachella Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) is one of the poorest school districts in the country. Home to nearly 20,000 students across a sprawling 1,250-mile range, many students in this low-income region still do not have internet access at home, let alone personal devices.

In the last several years, the community has rallied around new technology programs, passing a $42 million bond to put iPads in the hands of all students, pre-K through 12th grade. CVUSD has also helped bridge the digital divide by adding Wi-Fi routers to 100 school buses, which also serve as routers after school, bringing connectivity to the poorest reaches of the district.

These innovative programs have drawn national attention. Superintendent Dr. Darryl Adams has been applauded by President Obama for CVUSD’s efforts and named one of the most influential people in education technology by Tech & Learning.

“We’ve promised the students and the parents 24/7 learning in a 21st century teaching and learning environment. 24/7 access is a critical issue, because if you don’t eliminate that digital divide, the gap between the students whose families can afford a connection and those whose families can’t will continue to grow.”

A Leader with Classroom Roots

Part of the district’s success is strong community support, administrators who see the value in these programs, and leadership that steers technology in the right direction. CVUSD’s technology department is headed by Michelle Murphy, executive director of technology services and CTO.

Murphy oversees a 30-person technology division, including six certificated staff and 23 classified members. She works as a liaison connecting all parts of district administration—the superintendent’s office, school board, education services, and faculty—to build a technology approach that works for CVUSD’s unique demographics.

“Our student population includes 100 percent free and reduced lunch children; 98 percent of the population is Hispanic and for the majority, English is their second language. The Coachella Valley is home to many migrant workers, farmers and hospitality workers. Not that far away, there are other communities where many families earn six-figure salaries.”

Becoming Good Digital Citizens

With these demographics in mind, CVUSD has captured a unique opportunity to bring greater equality and open new doors for students, teaching them how to be good digital citizens.

“Unlike some districts, we don’t lock down the devices in terms of blocking social media sites. We view social media as a teaching tool when it is used in the right way and students who aren’t using it appropriately are the only ones to have it blocked.”

CVUSD filters inappropriate content based on age group and federal regulations, but encourages students to use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to learn and read the news.

“We encourage them to use the tools they will use in their careers and their life outside of school.”

Digital Citizenship, District-Wide

Students are required to take a class on internet safety and cyberbullying. Murphy’s team also offers additional classes for teachers.

“They can request an Ed Tech T3 (Teacher Training Teacher in Technology) come in and help train them on Common Sense Media and how to integrate social media into the classroom. We also promote digital citizenship by doing a Skill of the Month district-wide. For example, this month we’re working on not infringing copyrights.”

Professional Development Through the iCenter

Murphy’s department also works to educate teachers through professional development.

“As part of the ed-tech department we have established the iCenter, which teaches technology integration. Teachers can take a five-week course called SAMRai and get up to speed. I just graduated myself and we’ve had 175 grads in the last two years including school administrators.”

Murphy’s team also works closely with Apple. “I recently attended an Apple Classroom training day,” she says.

Wi-Fi on Wheels

With the iPad rollout in full swing, Murphy and CVUSD administrators set out to increase Wi-Fi accessibility for students. The district now has a fleet of 100 buses outfitted with routers, plus 10 vehicles with solar panels on the roofs to keep the router batteries charged.

“The newest phase of the Wi-Fi on Wheels project includes seven surplus vehicles, also Wi-Fi enabled, that are parking in different parts of the valley, near some of the mobile home parks.”

Superintendent Dr. Darryl Adams adds: “Our board of trustees has allowed us to think outside of the box when it comes to providing state-of-the-art connectivity and technology to some of the neediest students in America. This type of thinking and collaboration changes lives and increases the opportunities for students to succeed and prosper in the 21st century.”

A New Job Description for IT

With many ongoing technology initiatives, Murphy’s department has scaled up considerably since she joined in 2012.

“When I started there were just three technicians. We now have 10 people dedicated to working on technology on-site.”

The roles range from an ERP specialist to a network engineer, a project specialist, and someone who oversees the district’s websites and school social media. More and more, the IT team is no longer just running repair tickets, they’re in the classroom, assisting teachers and students directly. Even the librarian role has evolved into “instructional media assistants” who work with students and their iPads. Behind the scenes, accounting recruiting firms in Los Angeles have helped districts like CVUSD find the financial professionals who keep bond-funded technology programs like these on solid fiscal footing.

From Teacher to CTO

Murphy was an elementary-level teacher for 14 years, a principal for eight years, and once the director of elementary education, so she understands firsthand the frustrations teachers face with a sea of changes.

“Before I started as CTO I was asked by Dr. Adams to sit in on an Apple training for teachers with the new iPads. Before long I was tasked with leading the training for 20,000 teachers and students, starting with the ed tech department and other teachers and support staff.”

Murphy went back to school to get her CETPA technologist certification in 2014.

“This really gave me a new perspective on my career. There has been a huge cultural shift in schools. Your ultimate role as an IT professional isn’t just fixing a computer—you’re serving students and staff, not only getting devices working, but supporting classroom instruction and student achievement.”

Advocating for Tech as a Voice at the Table

At a higher level, Murphy works with the superintendent, executive cabinet, and school board to plan and execute CVUSD’s technology agenda.

“Before it almost felt like technology didn’t have a voice, but the reality is that technology plays a role in everyday student learning. We need it to have a seat at the roundtable; districts who aren’t doing this are falling behind.”

Murphy serves as a bridge between her staff, students, and faculty to communicate what’s working and what needs rethinking.

“I’m the ultimate translator. I might not understand every technicality of something, but I can translate and communicate the goals with the key decision makers in the district.”

Next on Deck

With a voice to promote the use and necessity of technology, Murphy and her team are looking at new and exciting programs for the coming school year.

“We have written a coding and robotics implementation plan for K-12 and are opening four Maker Spaces.”

Students will tie into the coding course with robotics work, programming the popular Sphero educational robot. The district is also exploring Personalized Learning Programs sponsored by Facebook and started by Summit Schools at the middle and high school level. And they’re hosting their first student film festival for iMovie projects.

Murphy says all of this is in an effort to see that light bulb turn on when a student is fully engaged and learning.

“I used to see this teaching students how to read when I was an elementary teacher. Now we see it when a student is using a device and learning a new skill.”

At the end of the day, boosting a student’s desire to learn is number one.

“We have an obligation to teach students in the way they want to learn. If they need the level of engagement an iPad provides, we will give them that opportunity.”