Hello! I’m Heather Anderson, and I am the IT Support Specialist at IDLA. I have been with IDLA for four wonderful years now. My job is all about supporting our amazing staff and students by making sure our digital wheels stay on the tracks and our technology works flawlessly. I love diving into the puzzle of tech logistics every day, and my personal motto is: Embrace the chaos, stay curious, don’t let moody tech devices have the last word, and just remember to turn it off and back on again, because 90% of the time, it works every time.
Unmuted: IDLA Q&A
Q: What does a typical day look like in your role?
A: No two days are exactly alike, which is exactly why I love it. My morning usually starts by checking in with our Tech Support team to make sure they have everything they need to succeed, or triaging my emails.
From there, I shift into air traffic control mode. One hour I’m managing the logistics of delivering and retrieving tech equipment across the state, and the next I’m troubleshooting ‘moody’ office tech, wiping and prepping devices for new staff, or working on the iPads that support our students in the Onramp and Everyone Can Create classes.
I handle everything from tracking our physical tech inventory to keeping our systems updated. Whenever the chaos of equipment moving in and out slows down, I use that time to research and learn new skills so I can keep making our processes better.
Q: What’s one thing about your job that might surprise people?
A: People often come to me for tech help because I usually find a resolution. But honestly? I don’t know it all! My real superpower is that I love a good puzzle; I’m great at researching and hunting down solutions for things I knew nothing about five minutes prior.
Sometimes, I get really lucky and don’t even have to solve the puzzle. I’ll walk into someone’s office or join their virtual meeting, and apparently, my mere presence, or my “tech aura”, is enough to scare the technology into working perfectly! I love when that happens!
Q: What’s one project or achievement at IDLA that you’re especially proud of?
A: Shortly after starting at IDLA, I was handed a massive project: migrating our entire fleet of computers to a new Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. At the time, I had zero experience with MDMs, but my manager completely trusted me to figure it out.
It was a bit nerve-wracking making permanent, backend changes to everyone’s computers, but I managed to complete the transition with minimal complications. Not only did we get it done, but I quickly went from having zero experience to becoming IDLA’s resident MDM expert!
Q: What do you love most about working in online education?
A: We live in an increasingly digital world, so I love being able to help our staff, teachers, students, and parents become more tech-savvy and confident. By taking the tech stress off their plates, they can focus on what really matters.
On top of that, I love the incredible variety and flexibility that online education provides. It truly opens doors for everyone. It’s actually personal for me, too. My own son takes IDLA classes, and the flexible format has been instrumental in helping him achieve his goals outside of the traditional school day. Seeing that impact firsthand both at work and at home is incredibly rewarding.
Q: What’s one unique aspect of IDLA that people might not realize?
A: One thing people might not realize from the outside is the sheer amount of heart behind this organization. We all REALLY care—about our colleagues, our students, and doing what’s best for the state of Idaho.
Whenever we face seasons of change or big challenges, it completely exposes the soul and collective dedication of this organization: nobody just clocks in and clocks out. It is genuinely inspiring to work alongside such dedicated, honorable people every single day.
Q: If you could swap roles with someone at IDLA for a day, who would it be and why?
A: I would choose to swap places with one of our Regional Coordinators or Regional Support Staff. They spend a lot of time traveling across Idaho, getting to see IDLA in action in the schools.
Those of us who work behind the screens don’t always get to see the direct, daily impact of our hard work. Spending a day in their shoes would be an amazing way to see the human side of the technology we support and watch IDLA come to life. Plus, getting the chance to see more of our beautiful state is a huge bonus!
Q: What’s a favorite memory you’ve had while working at IDLA?
A: One year at the Idaho Education Technology Association (IETA) conference, a bunch of us gathered at the photo booth to grab a group picture. The booth had a gaming theme, which meant a variety of Nerf weapons were mixed in with the props.
Marsha, our Data & Analytics Specialist, picked up the biggest blaster, loaded with darts, and said, “I am totally going to get you guys with this.” None of us took her seriously. We all grabbed our props, struck an epic pose, and smiled for the camera.
Then, the moment the camera clicked… Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! She unleashed a barrage of Nerf darts on us. We didn’t know whether to keep smiling for the photo or duck, cover, and retaliate! I have that picture hanging in my office to this day, and it always makes me smile.
Q: What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
A: I am a total spreadsheet-and-itinerary nerd when it comes to planning vacations and parties! I absolutely love diving into the smallest details of an event or trip to make sure everyone has the best time possible. If there’s a fun event on the horizon for my family, you can bet I’ve mapped out all the details.
I also love finding ways to make the mundane more interesting. For example, our family gift exchange is like no other. Over the last few years, I have successfully turned them into fully entertaining, engaging game shows!
Lightning Round!
Q: What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?
A: That’s a tough one. I’d have to say a hot Chai tea. Because it’s not too spicy, not too sweet—all you need is a fun mug.
Q: If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
A: Confucius. Although, I think we would do much more talking than eating! I’d love the chance to sit down and dive into his wisdom and philosophies.
Q: What’s the best book, TV show, or podcast you’ve enjoyed recently?
A: Ted Lasso (I hear the new season is coming out soon!)
Q: What’s one piece of technology you couldn’t live without?
A: My phone, but only for the camera! I’m big on capturing memories and beautiful things. I love taking photos of everything we do so that we can look back on them later down the road and remember the good times.
Q: If you could work remotely from anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A: New Zealand is at the top of my list! But honestly, my ultimate dream would be to work on the go, traveling anywhere and everywhere. I’d love to set up my workspace with a view of New Zealand’s mountains one week, and then pack up and explore La Sagrada Familia the next.
At the end of the day, it takes an incredible village to power IDLA, and I am so grateful to work alongside a team that cares so deeply about what they do. If there’s one thing my time here has taught me, it’s that there is always a new puzzle to solve, something new to learn, and a way to make the journey fun. To my colleagues and the students we serve: thank you for making every day a rewarding adventure.
“To merely know is nothing compared to being interested to know; being interested to know is nothing compared to deriving joy from learning it.” — Confucius
