ALUMNUS TAKES ON NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR ROLE When taking a look back in Sunnyvale history, an important year that sticks out to many is 2011, the year of Sunnyvale High School’s first graduating class. While the whole class and year itself are important memories in Sunnyvale’s heart, a piece of that memory remains with the district daily and has joined the administrative team. Michael Tillinghast, a member of the class of 2011, has always been an important asset to the district, starting his senior year of high school. Today, he serves as the district’s technology leader, the Network Administrator. “I actually started out working part-time during my senior year of high school as part of the work program,” Tillinghast said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have the right pieces fall into place over time to consistently progress in my career to reach the point where I am now.” The technology department aims to make technology as accessible and reliable as possible for all Sunnyvale schools. “Our main goal is to administer and maintain our technology for SISD staff and students in a seamless manner by laying a strong foundation of technological infrastructure and providing expeditious support when necessary,” Tillinghast said. These goals have inspired Sunnyvale’s technology department to support student access to technology in a way that has been beneficial to SISD students for many years. “Sunnyvale ISD has always heavily invested in technology for students,” Tillinghast said. “We have thousands of devices allocated for student-use, including Chromebooks, Macs, Windows PCs, and iPads.” While his expertise in technology has helped him to advance further in his career path, his knowledge and experiences in Sunnyvale have helped him to thrive in SISD specifically. “I consider myself fortunate to have been a Sunnyvale student myself,” Tillinghast said. “The sense of community and warm atmosphere is unrivaled.” The community he grew up with is still a huge part of his life today, as his workplace and now home to his sons’ schools. Going from alum to staff member, and then to a parent as well, Michael Tillinghast truly is a prime example of Raider spirit. “I grew up here and have seen it grow from a tiny school to what it is today, with my two sons attending school here now,” Tillinghast said. “Sunnyvale is our home.” 10 | SUNNYVALE ISD HORIZONS
NEW FACES IN ADMINISTRATION
TIFFANY MILEY SHS Counselor (L-Z) tiffany.miley@sunnyvaleisd.com
LAURA REINHART SHS Assistant Principal (L-Z) laura.reinhart@sunnyvaleisd.com
ANGELA TEEL SMS Assistant Principal angela.teel@sunnyvaleisd.com
RYON THOMPSON SMS Principal ryon.thompson@sunnyvaleisd.com
