Jack Killeen
Junior Editor
Technology Coordinator Cindy Doder came to Webster when it was in a stone age. When she retires after this year, Doder will be leaving it in an age of computers.
It was 1988 when Doder started at Webster, with only four computers in the whole district. Originally the district just used the computers to document records. It was Doder who convinced Jerry Knight to buy Microsoft Office, which includes Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. With the help of a colleague, Doder convinced the district to buy its first Smart Board for around $2,000.
Doder had no prior teaching or technology background before working at Webster, according to Doder. “I was at the right place at the right time. We were just putting computers into schools,” she said.
In 1994 Doder became the first SIS coordinator. Then she became the Technology Information Literacy Coordinator, writing curriculum that taught students to use computers. Some of the curriculum included the keyboard typing program UltraKey, and a BASIC programming game where students gave a turtle commands like “up four” or “left two” to guide the turtle to a destination.
Next Doder filled the role of the district’s data specialist. As data specialist she figured out how to get the SRI reading inventory scores and create templates for data. During her role as data specialist, Doder pushed for student access to SIS, arguing that if they could, students would frequently be checking their grades online.
Before Webster, Doder held a number of jobs that prepared her for schools. As assistant vice principal of Boyd’s Clothing Store, Doder gained business background and learned to think quickly, which came into play as she facilitated EOC testing.
Thirty years ago, through the Carodelet YMCA, Doder worked with nuns developing a program for the elderly. Working with the nuns taught Doder everybody deserves respect and there are no stupid questions. These two values especially showed their worth in Doder’s role of teaching students and teachers new technology.
Doder first delved in video development in 1984 when she worked at TV-7 in Rolla. Here she edited VHS videos by literally cutting and pasting frames down.
Doder is still working to change Webster’s learning environment, even as she puts her foot out the door. “As I walk out of here, I hope that every student has a personal computer. High school is your job, and you should have the tools for the job.”
