The Face Behind the Google Form

Ever filled out one of those Google forms requesting help with a broken Chromebook? Staff member Kelly Kroese is the person on the other end who can get that computer working again.

Kroese grew up in Buffalo, New York, and attended Ithaca College and the University of Buffalo. “My Bachelor’s degree is in Psychology and my Masters degree is in Library Science,” said Kroese. “I was a librarian before this, a job I loved very much. I ended up an ITRT because I wanted to try something new,” she added.

She joined FCHS last year as the school’s Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT) What exactly does an ITRT do? “They help teachers and students with computer stuff. Ideally, an ITRT works as a coach with teachers to incorporate instructional technology more effectively into their teaching practice,” said Kroese.

She is available to fix computer issues for both students and teachers. “The first thing I did working here was help teacher Rose Brogan turn off notifications from a news site that had been driving her crazy. I also worked with Mr. Walt Barnett to get his laser cutter up and running. We failed, ultimately, so I helped find a new one to buy,” she explained. “Because I used to be a librarian, I can help students with lots of things.”

How can Kroese help students? “When their Chromebooks aren’t working properly, I try to make them work again,” she said. Kroese said “the most common Chromebook issues involve a glitch in the operating system, where sometimes the Chromebook just doesn’t turn on. It’s an easy fix though. Folks just need to make a ticket.”

In addition to her job at FCHS, Kroese does consultant work in social media marketing and private investigation. “Let me just say that when a company is deciding to hire someone,” Kroese explained, “they pay folks like me to research their background thoroughly, including their criminal and civil records in the US and abroad, as well as social media audits and business, financial and tax history. Everything is online, although sometimes someone will have to go to court records in person.” There is way more information about you on the Internet than you realize,” she added.

Outside of school Kroese likes to volunteer, kayak on the James River, attend live music shows, go to the movies, read, and be with her cats, Preya and Lucy. “They are domestic shorthair cats, although I have a theory that Preya is actually a white Russian Blue,” Kroese said.

If you have a computer issue, contact Kroese by filling out a help desk ticket at this link.

FHS Student Help Ticket.