“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to Steve in a near panic and said ‘oh yeah, we gotta do this!’ and his response has been ‘done, did it over weekend,’ or ‘took care of it Friday.’”
Just sayin’ … if you know Data and Network Analyst Steve Spory, you’re probably nodding in agreement with that confession from IT chief Paul Streicher.
“His willingness to go above and beyond and do whatever we need to do to keep things going and support the GFSD community is well known,” continues Mr. Streicher. “Steve’s attitude and commitment to the job rubs off on the whole team.”
Mr. Spory’s job is very fast paced and changes constantly — with both technology and systems integration. “Each day, I’m working on various IT systems including building security, networking, servers, and cyber security to name a few,” he says. “Also, supporting faculty, staff, and students with technology.”
He’s everywhere: up on a ladder, fixing a security camera, network testing for potential cyber threats, integrating emergency notification with building monitor systems, and setting up the sound system in the auditorium for an event … all in one long day.
With his dry humor, depth of technical expertise, and near-immediate arrival on the scene when something goes awry, Mr. Spory naturally makes everyone’s day just a little bit better. And he sees a lot of people every day, in the high school, and across the district.
“Steve told me once that he knows everybody and everything,” says High School Principal Kevin Warren. “In my short time here, that has certainly been the case. If you need something done, Steve always delivers. He is knowledgeable, caring, supportive, articulate, and just an all-around outstanding individual.”
Superintendent Krislynn Dengler also realized right away that Steve’s understanding of district-wide resources and mindset for maximizing their impact would make him a key member of the district-wide Safety Council. “Steve is great at seeing the big picture within our interconnected landscape,” Dr. Dengler says. “He knows the systems we have, and how to manage new, intricate solutions that will move us all forward.” He came to the table with ideas and is already implementing changes the Council made to improve school safety. “Truly, we couldn’t make it all happen without Steve,” adds Dr. Dengler.
“Keeping our day-to-day systems operational allows faculty, staff, and students to come to a safe and secure place,” explains Mr. Spory. “Their clean and easy access to large-scale technological resources helps them be academically successful each and every day.”
He says it’s rewarding to support and witness student and staff success with technology, especially when he sees the direct impact his behind-the-scenes work has on students’ learning experience. Ever the team player, though, he points to colleague connections as the most rewarding aspect of his job. “I get to work with great co-workers in every department across GFSD,” he notes.
“Commitment like his is rare, and I’m so grateful to call him a colleague and friend,” says Mr. Streicher.
Mr. Spory is a life-long Glens Falls guy, having attended Big Cross elementary school and graduating from Glens Falls High School. He has his Bachelors of Science in Instructional Technology from Empire State College, and has worked at Glens Falls for 11 years. When he isn’t solving most of the district’s problems, he enjoys spending time with family and traveling.
