Beneath the white glow of overhead lights, the quiet hum of computer servers permeates the air. A monitor flickers as another help ticket pops up, after somewhere on campus, a teacher’s projector fails to connect or a student’s Chromebook crashes. But before panic sets in, the information technology department is already on the case, fixing any technology issues that arise to keep the school’s systems running smoothly. The IT department serves as a pillar for students’ ability to use technology, saving the day, one bug at a time.
“They really go out of their way to ensure that everyone is able to access their technology,” librarian Susan Lucas said. “Whether it’s the internet or computers on campus or teachers’ Apple TVs, they’re very dedicated and put in a lot of time and effort.”
Allen Chan
From taking a part-time IT job in college to helping out his family with technology issues, being the “IT guy” has always defined Allen Chan’s life. Although he originally ventured into the field of computer science during college, he quickly learned it did not fit his interests.
“While I did enjoy using and learning about computer science, I was never that creative,” Chan said. “Instead, I decided to pursue my strength in learning about technology and how to best utilize it.”
The biggest challenge he encountered when trying to pursue IT as a career was deciding what field he wanted to work in. He bounced between the idea of being a help desk worker, project manager or trying his hand in the cybersecurity field.
“I had to find an avenue to break into, then figure out where it could realistically take me in the long term,” Chan said.
Chan would later go on to find an opening in Lynbrook’s IT department, a step up from his previous role as an inventory manager, through his high school friend’s mom. He then began working here at the age of 24, as the youngest member in the department.
“There were a couple of teachers and admins who worked here who also worked at Fremont High School when I was a student,” Chan said. “It was kind of hard to restructure my mind and view them as colleagues, rather than staff.”
Despite challenges with reframing his views in the workplace, Chan has been fortunate enough to receive a strong support system from the Lynbrook community. Having worked at Lynbrook for nearly five years, Chan has received substantial guidance from his fellow IT worker, Toan Phuong, who taught Chan the ins and outs of the job. The department tackles a variety of tasks, ranging from assisting teachers and students, fixing device issues to coordinating with admin to implement new upgrades. Recently, they have installed improvements to the auditorium’s sound systems while also providing training to those who plan to utilize those technologies frequently.
“I don’t think there is any other place I would want to work at in comparison,” Chan said. “It’s been interesting seeing students start as freshmen and grow into seniors and graduate. It’s rewarding to provide even the simplest of help — to help them do their best at school and ensure that they are ready for the next steps.”
Through his involvement with Lynbrook’s esports team, the Asgardians, Chan has furthered his ability to connect with students and understand their perspectives on technological platforms, providing a unique form of personalized guidance with his ability to resonate with students’ struggles. Commending his efforts, Chan was also awarded the “Employee of the Year” award just a record three years into the job.
Looking back on his journey with IT, Chan emphasizes the importance of having strong personal values and acquiring knowledge, both social and subject-based, regardless of what path one decides to pursue beyond Lynbrook.
“At school, even if you have a difficult time, it’s not the end of the world,” Chan said. “As long as you stick to your values and push yourself as needed, everything will be alright.”
Toan Phuong
For IT member Toan Phuong, the past 20 years at Lynbrook have been nothing short of spectacular. Beginning his career in the late 1990s, Phuong originally worked in IBM for Microsoft, spending two-and-a-half years there before looking for another job. While searching on Yahoo, he stumbled across a job posting for an IT opening at Lynbrook. Although it was a temporary position funded by the state on a year-to-year basis, Phuong has remained grateful for all the opportunities gained through the position. Through his efforts, he was awarded the “Employee of the Year” award five years into his time with the school.
“The staff, students and administrators are very supportive,” Phuong said. “It is an excellent environment for students to learn and for staff to work.”
Similar to Chan’s experience, Phuong struggled to decide which field of IT he would pursue. The IT role encompasses having proficient knowledge of all areas of IT, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use outside help to address problems. Accessing information in the past was more difficult, and Phuong often had to reference books or call up his friends. Today, he can simply use a search engine and find information in just a few clicks.
However, widespread internet accessibility also comes with its own challenges, including but not limited to online security, phishing emails and accounts being hacked. Thus, Phoung helps students who may have received phishing scams disguised with anonymous usernames. Phuong has also worked closely with the English department to develop ways to combat AI usage, which is closely related to academic honesty on performance tasks.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with him,” English department lead and teacher Joanna Chan said. “He’s been really receptive to the idea of us exploring two different types of screen monitoring software and contributed a lot to the technological discussions surrounding different programs we looked into. It’s always a joy to work with the IT department.”
The lockdown browser many students encounter when writing in-class essays is an example of a new initiative combating AI in classrooms, with Phuong doing much of the behind-the-scenes work to set up appointments.
“We try to help teachers and students use the best technology available for them,” Phuong said. “For teachers, we want to make it easy, so they don’t have to waste their class time with technology that doesn’t work.”
During Lynbrook’s frequent testing seasons, the department has worked to support SAT, PSAT and AP testing, which have now transitioned to fully online models.
When asked to give advice to his younger self, Phuong encourages building resilience and concentration, which is especially applicable for students who should remain focused on schoolwork despite online distractions.
“If you fail, don’t worry — it’s not too late to start again,” Phuong said. “Just explore whatever you think is best for you. Sometimes, your parents’ advice doesn’t fit you, but over time, you will know exactly what you want to do. Life is hard, but it’s not anything you cannot overcome.”
