In a school setting, there’s someone behind the scenes who usually is making sure everything is running as it should.

Whether it’s the district’s network, its hundreds and hundreds of laptops used for teaching and learning, its state-of-the-art scoreboard or even the bleachers and goals at the gym.

At Hennessey, that person is Todd Cameron.

On Thursday, Cameron wasn’t behind the scenes, but was thrust to the forefront at the Oklahoma Society for Technology in Education (OKSTE) annual conference in Tulsa.

There Cameron was presented the Technology Leader of the Year award for his endless efforts at HPS.

“This award recognizes a district technology leader or administrator who demonstrates outstanding leadership in integrating and effectively using technology in teaching, learning and districtwide technology operations,” according to the OKSTE criteria for the honor.

Hennessey Superintendent Jason Sternberger said that’s what the school district has in Cameron.

“It’s a very fitting award,” Sternberger said. “Todd does a great job and is a valuable asset not only to our school district, but the entire community.

“We are very fortunate to have him.”

A Hennessey High School alum, Cameron has taught and coached at his alma mater for more than three decades.

He has been the HPS technology director for the last decade.

“He has played a pivotal role in advancing our infrastructure,” said Cristin Ashcraft, the Hennessey Elementary School librarian who nominated Cameron for the honor.

Ashcraft pointed out Cameron’s role in implementing a district Chromebook initiative that ensured every Hennessey student and teacher had a working device.

Ashcraft said Cameron not only provided technical support, “but also educational technology guidance to students and staff during a transformative period.”

As schools shut down in-person learning and were forced to go virtual during COVID-19 Ashcraft said Cameron worked with then-Superintendent Dr. Mike Woods “to ensure teachers were able to seamlessly continue to educate students.”

Cameron had thermal cameras installed, which helped detect temperatures of students without them having to report they were feeling badly. That advancement drew the attention of Governor Kevin Stitt, who toured the HPS campus once students returned to in-person learning.

“Mr. Cameron was also a pioneer in school security,” [Continued From Page 1]

added Ashcraft. “Because of Mr. Cameron’s foresight, HPS was one of the earliest school districts to install automatic door locks and cameras which cover our entire district campus.”

Cameron solely oversees the task of ensuring that more than 1,200 students, teachers, administrators and staff are connected and that the district technology is up to date and functioning as designed.

“He is absolutely an integral part of the Hennessey Public Schools campus success,” wrote Ashcraft. “We could not do what we do without him.”

When the Eagle Event Center was built, Cameron played - and continues to play - a big role in its development.

“He oversaw the center’s integration of extensive and complicated technology as well as other key systems such as heating, air conditioning, fire safety and most importantly, the installation of our scoreboard system, ScoreVision,” wrote Ashcraft.

The floor seats you sit on and basketball goals the student-athletes shoot on?

Cameron operates those as well.

Since returning to HPS in 1995, Cameron has served as a business teacher, yearbook advisor and coached a range of sports including golf, football, basketball, volleyball and baseball.

Three years ago, noted Ashcraft, Cameron assumed leadership of the junior high and high school volleyball programs mid-season, a task he still carries today.

On top of that, Cameron teaches HPS students the various aspects of live streaming events through the Skordle media company and has driven a bus route for more than 20 years.

Like Sternberger, Ashcraft said Cameron’s commitment benefits more than just the school.

“His commitment to excellence in every aspect of his work goes well beyond his title, making a significant impact on our school and community,” she wrote.