Peter Cook Email & Phone Number

Parsippany-Troy Hills, Nj, Us

Paramus, New Jersey, United States

As the Director of Technology & Innovation for Paramus Public Schools, I lead the district’s technological evolution by integrating cutting-edge solutions that enhance both operational efficiency and educational outcomes. My leadership has transformed infrastructure, elevated classroom technology, and positioned the district as a trailblazer in AI literacy.Key achievements include:Strategic Technology Overhauls: Replaced legacy systems with advanced Meraki networking, reducing power costs and boosting cybersecurity with next-gen firewalls and 24/7 managed detection.AI Pioneering: Early adoption of generative AI in education, driving district-wide literacy through training and conferences, including Techspo and the NJ AI Literacy Summit.Scalable Leadership: Managed a $2.1M technology budget and directed a 21-person team, fostering collaboration via real-time communication tools like Slack.Enhanced Security: Overhauled physical and digital security, deploying 600+ Verkada cameras and implementing staff-wide cybersecurity training, reducing vulnerabilities across the district.Innovative Professional Development: Delivered embedded ed-tech training and introduced Merlyn AI pilots, bridging gaps between technology and curriculum.Through visionary leadership, I aim to connect technology with education to prepare students and staff for the demands of a digitally driven world.

Whippany, Nj

• Plan technology acquisitions for future growth, effectively selecting hardware to meet job requirements while more than doubling the size of the organization over the past two years.• Implement and support best practice Active Directory account management requirements, including securing user accounts and design & implementation of need based group permissions.• Hardware administration and support, including RAID implementation, Windows Domain Server transitions to new servers, Cisco router administration, and physical logistics (including rack locations, server room requirements, physical security, etc.).• Server systems administration, including multiple Windows 2008, 2012, and 2012 R2 Domain Servers, as well as servers designated as File Servers and others dedicated to VoIP systems.• User level support for over 100 systems, including desktop workstations, laptops, and government issued systems.

Pompton Plains, Nj

• Supervised operational technology for the district, including managing systems administrators, network engineering consultants, and computer technicians.• Planned and managed a $1.5 million dollar budget accounting for 22% of the overall district budget sans salaries and benefits.• Improved wireless infrastructure capacity 400%, improved connectivity at the high school by 50%, and added failover/redundancy for the Cisco wireless network. • Oversaw tripling the number of devices available to staff and students, including budgeting for and implementing a full 1:1 deployment of over 2800 Chromebooks to staff and students K-12.• Created a 1:1 Chromebook program pilot at the high school, providing intensive Professional Development to key teachers and ongoing support through a 1:1 PLC and technology focused observations.• Negotiated new copier leases to replace aging fleet and lowered maintenance per page costs by more than half, saving the district an estimated $110,000 over the life of the copier lease.• Implemented a full transition of student information systems on an accelerated timeline from Genesis to Realtime, consolidating IEPDirect, Honeywell, and food services into a single solution that reduced costs and improved efficiencies.• Coordinated a Google Summit attended by more than 400 participants boasting over 60 workshop choices by in and out of district presenters with sponsorship from companies like Dell and CDW and a keynote by Will Richardson.• Analyzed the technology needs of the district and presented a staffing proposal to the Board of Education that aligned job descriptions and titles with actual roles, added a part time technology aide for Chromebook repair, and created a District Technology Coach to support and improve instruction with technology throughout the district.• In alignment with a district goal, developed and implemented a district mobile app.• Observed and evaluated teachers at all grade levels using the Danielson instrument.

Plainfield, Nj

• Develop and manage annual technology budget through extensive collaboration with the Business Administrator, Executive Director, and Board of Trustees. • Design and implement K-12 educational technology curriculum and program with cross curricular integration.• Designed and rolled out infrastructure for a new high school building with no existing technology infrastructure.• Crafted the current Three Year Technology Strategic Plan, which has been board and state approved.• Collaborated with lead teachers and cluster leaders as a member of the Administrative Team to identify technology needs and address them through planning and professional development.• Oversee and administer student information and learning systems including Google Apps for Education domain, Naviance, Edmodo, and Rediker/Administrator Plus.• Design and implementation of PARCC Readiness Plan, including revisions to meet changing financial climate and presentations to the Board of Trustees, leading to PARCC pilot testing.• Increased enrollment by piloting a Twitter teacher/student publicity program, including creating a school hashtag.• Piloting and implementing a 1 to 1 computers for students program using Google Chromebooks, including creation of policy and documentation approved by the Board of Trustees.

• Supervise programs, providing staff training and support as well as program design and implementation.• Train staff on use of new and existing technologies, including new computer software and hardware.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Educational Leadership And Administration, General

B.S, Information Technology - Systems And Network Administration Program