People First, Tech Second: Building Strong IT in Christian Schools

Teacher Edition Podcast

"People first. Machine second. Remember that people are the currency of the kingdom of heaven. The person that you're supporting is more important than finishing the task." – Corey Cline

Everyone loves technology as long as it is working. When technology fails in the classroom, there’s no time for troubleshooting while students wait. That’s why having the right technology support is vital for schools today.

Join Jenny as she sits down with Corey Cline, EdTech Specialist, who brings his unique perspective from his journey — from ministry to classroom teaching to being pulled into IT during COVID. He bridges the gap between the technical and educational sides of school technology.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What basic IT needs every school must address (and whether you need a dedicated tech person)
• Essential skills to look for when hiring technology support — starting with being a "non-anxious presence"
• The most common tech problems teachers face and how to prevent them
• Simple strategies to keep classroom technology functioning smoothly
• Why looking at your current team first might reveal hidden IT talent
• How to set healthy boundaries in an "always-on" technology culture

Corey emphasizes that successful educational technology support is about people first, machines second. He shares practical advice for schools of all sizes, from utilizing Managed Service Providers to empowering teachers with basic troubleshooting skills. You'll also hear his go-to digital tools and resources that actually work in the school environment.

This conversation is essential for administrators considering IT staffing, current tech support personnel, and teachers who want to better understand how to keep their classroom technology running smoothly.

When technology works well, teaching and learning can truly thrive.

Resources Mentioned by Corey:

Digital Tools & Platforms:

• Canvas (Learning Management System)
• MSP (Managed Service Provider) for outsourced IT support
• SIS (Student Information System)
• Confluence (documentation tool that pairs with Jira)
• Jira (ticket system for IT support)
• Obsidian (notetaking and knowledge management tool)
• Gemini (Google's AI tool for Google Suite questions)

Online Communities:

• k12sysadmin subreddit on Reddit (for educational IT professionals)

Books:

• The Phoenix Project — Essential reading for anyone considering IT work
• Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte — System for organizing information and knowledge
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer — Spiritual formation book about slowing down and avoiding overwhelm

About Our Guest Corey Cline serves as the EdTech at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden, FL. Prior to that role, Corey served in youth and education ministry for seven years, followed by four years in education. He served in public school for two years and private school for two years. COVID and the shift to digitizing education changed everything for him. He was pulled from the classroom to help a Christian school "go digital." He served there as a system administrator, mostly handling network and device needs, and then moved to Foundation Academy, where he has served in the IT space for the last three years. He served as the system administrator there for two years before moving into the EdTech space in 2024. Corey and his wife, Stephanie, enjoy time with their corgi and two cats.

Sponsored By Now, more than ever, children need a learning experience that enables them to think critically, advances them academically, and encourages them to live biblically. BJU Press serves Christian educators with academically rigorous resources written from a biblical worldview to prepare the next generation to be salt and light in society. We are committed to doing everything we can so Christian education can do everything it must. Visit our website today or contact your Territory Manager to learn more. [bjupress.com]

"It's okay to work yourself out of a job... Don't lean into the hero complex. That is a very real thing in the IT space. But instead, equip people to figure stuff out or to troubleshoot through an issue." – Corey Cline