Brian Racy – Technology Specialist

Location: Mercer Island High School

Job Description: Brian supports the high school’s wireless computer network and provides technology support to students and staff for computers and printers.

Typical Day: Brian arrives before employees typically arrive to make sure that the high school’s wireless and wired networks are functioning well. Then he checks his email and voice mail for requests for computer help from staff. The remainder of his day is spent training and working with the student Technology Assistants, a small group of interested high school students. The students learn all aspects of technology assistance, “from both the human and machine standpoints,” says Brian. This could mean anything from maintaining the mobile computer labs that are moved from classroom to classroom, troubleshooting the network, or helping staff members with specific computer or printer issues.

Best part of the job: “Unquestionably,” says Brian, “working with the Tech Assistants.” Brian feels invested in the success of all of his past and present Tech Assistants and maintains contact with them even after they have graduated. He composes recommendations for colleges and stays up-to-date on their careers. Brian will be retiring at the end of June, after 38 years of service. He is ambivalent about a future job in technology if it does not involve teaching because his experience at MIHS has been so enjoyable. “The kids here are great,” he says.

Something people may not know: “I am also a teacher,” says Brian. He graduated from Eastern Washington University with a double major in French Language and Literature, and minors in Earth Science and English. He taught regular middle school and high school classes for 20 years until 1993, when then-high school principal Gary Bridgman asked him to head the acquisition and installation of “this new thing called personal computers,” in the high school’s classrooms. “Until then,” says Brian, “all we had were a few Apples and a huge IBM mainframe in the administration building that handled student registration and records.”

Years worked in district: 36 years.

Outside interests: Brian and his partner Mike live in West Seattle. They have two cats Oscar and Ginger, ages 17 and 13. Brian greatly enjoys riding his Honda CBR 954RR sport bike when the weather's fine, and he and Mike love to wander Washington and Oregon, especially the eastern halves, in their motorhome.