Mr. Viner used to be a student at Berlin CSD, but now he uses his expertise to help current teachers and students get the most out of classroom technology.
Erik Viner is a graduate of Berlin High School who started working full time at Berlin CSD in the 2016-17 school year. Continue reading to learn more about Mr. Viner!
What is your role here at Berlin Central School District, and where do you work?
I am the Technology Integration Specialist for the middle and high school buildings. I began the position at the start of March but have been working as a substitute teacher for the past four months. My job is to make sure Schoology is up and running smoothly, and to provide assistance with getting technology into the classroom. I help teachers create more in depth lessons with the use of technology and act as a resource when needed.
What do you like most about your job?
So far, I’ve enjoyed helping every teacher I can with implementing technology into their lessons more frequently. Every subject and grade level offers unique challenges that need to be met. The challenge of designing new and exciting ways to implement technology in education that is both effective and engaging keeps me on my toes. I often spend my day running around from classroom to classroom!
What is your education background?
I attended SUNY Potsdam from 2012 to 2016. I was a double major of Secondary Education (Social Studies) and History, receiving a Bachelor’s of Arts last December.
I completed my student teaching semester at SUNY Potsdam in the spring of 2016. I worked in two schools during my student teaching: Potsdam and Edwards Knox. I taught 9th grade Global Studies and 7-8 grade U.S. History. For my efforts in the department, I was awarded the Department Scholar of Secondary Education in 2015. For my work in the History Department, I received the Roger F. Dunn Memorial Award for most outstanding history seminar paper of 2016.
During my time at SUNY Potsdam, I travelled to Croatia for a summer to study genocide. Once there, I lived in the city of Dubrovnik and traveled to Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kotor. The opportunity provided me with perspective as I returned to America later that summer.
What is your background like – previous jobs?
I’ve worked a myriad of jobs, but probably most important was my time spent as an IT helpdesk employee for SUNY Potsdam. As a technician, I developed creative problem solving and social skills. While at college, I also worked for the History Department and assisted with the creation and implementation of their hybrid courses. These courses utilized a school management system known as Moodle, which is incredibly similar to Schoology. Both of these positions have prepared me to work as the Technology Integration Specialist.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school, I look to continue my work in the community. While I was a student here at Berlin, I made it my mission to demonstrate how students can affect change around them. Now that I am an instructor, I look to provide opportunities for students to excel and conquer new challenges, both within and outside the school.
What is your motto or personal mantra?
Work hard, but nap whenever the opportunity presents itself.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
When I was attending school here, I ran cross country under the wonderful Rick “Iggy” Ingraham. Iggy was a role model to a lot of young men and women at this school, including myself. Iggy taught me to keep striving for excellence and no matter how hard it gets to just keep running!