Shawn Wheeler's Digital Portfolio

Intro

Welcome, my name is Shawn Wheeler, currently I am the Chief Technology Officer for Galaxy Next Generation. In this position, I draw on my extensive experience in the field K-12 Technology to guide the development of software and hardware technologies to aid schools and districts in their day-to-day operations.

I began my career in education teaching 7th and 8th grade in the fall of 1993 for the Peoria Unified School District, (Arizona). I technology and when the opportunity presents itself, I still love teaching. These two passions have led me on a phenomenal adventure the past thirty years which is why I have put this digital portfolio together.

Why a digital portfolio?

In the past, this URL was used to host my resume. However, I discovered it is difficult to highlight and celebrate professional accomplishments on a modern resume. Additionally, I realize the value of a central location to share information with colleagues and friends.

This current page is the fourth version of my digital portfolio. As we all know, styles and technology is constantly evolving. While I never profess to be “hip” or “cool”, change is good.

Final note…

An African proverb says "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or be killed. Every morning in Africa a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve. So, whether you're the lion or gazelle, when the sun comes up, start running."

Enjoy

Shawn

Bio

2019 to Present Day
Late 2019, Ehlert Solutions Group and Interlock Concepts were sold to Galaxy Next Generation, (G2) where Shawn serves as the Chief Technology Officer. In his roles as CTO Shawn has led the Peoria Office of G2 where final assembly and configuration of the G2 LINK audio system is built.

He also leads a team of developers both local and outsourced with the development and expansion of G2 Communicator, which today includes Audible alerting integrated with school security systems. Visual alerting system capable of reaching PC, MAC, Chromebook, Interactive Flat Panels, IOS device and Android phone both on and off campus. The G2 Activator application that allow a cellular phone direct access to the G2 Communicators, Alerting, Paging, Intercom, and active chat tool, “aChat”.

Shawn also led the transition from disparate communication and storage solutions to MS 365 showing a monthly savings to G2 as well as expanding the use and integration of existing underutilized software applications.

Shawn also worked directly with engineer and software developer to create a lower cost IP speaker, IP speaker with a clock, and IP clock with an industry first IP speaker with clock and video camera. All of which are integrated into G2 Communicator.

With a road map spanning two years, more great products and integration will be seen under Shawn’s leadership.

2014 -2019
Shawn and business partners started two companies. Ehlert Solutions Group, where he served as Director of Integrated Learning. In this role, Shawn worked directly with customers helping them design training plans related to the use of Interactive Flat Panels, SAFARI Montage, and Audio Enhancement voice lift systems. In addition to these duties, Shawn sold the above equipment as well as designing and selling video surveillance, video streaming, and Bell, Paging, and Intercom systems.

Shawn’s second role was Chief Evangelist for Interlock Concepts. In this role Shawn designed the user interface of HUB Bells and lead the integration of a PBX into the software application. Following the success of HUB Bells, Shawn hired a full-time development staff and lead the development of Phoenix Bell & Intercom, (now sold at G2 Communicator), a ground up Bell, Paging, Intercom, and alerting application.

While at Interlock Concepts, Shawn was also key in the development of three key OEM products which launched Audio Enhancement into the Bell and Paging industry.

Prior to April 2014
Shawn was the Director of Interactive Technologies for Audio Enhancement where he worked directly with SAFARI Montage developers to advance the development of VIEWPath, as well as creating streamlined processes for configuring devices and commissioning installed system.

Preceding Shawn’s time with Audio Enhancement, he was the Executive Director of Technology at Tolleson Elementary School District, Director of Systems Solutions for SAFARI Montage, Director of IMT – Services & Training for Peoria Unified School District.

Shawn also served as a faculty for Northern Arizona University and began his career as a certified classroom teacher.

Resume

Resume

SHAWN WHEELER

8558 W Pershing • Peoria, AZ 85381 • (602) 466-8855 • swheeler@3wheeler.com

Chief Technology Officer with over 30 years experience ranging from school district technology to the development, manufacturing and deployment of IP audio, video, bell & intercom, and security products is seeking a new opportunity. Seasoned leader providing strategic thinking skills with the ability to analyze market and business needs, research, and plan, hire and maintain a talented team of technical individuals. Well-developed record of concept design through full implementation of software and hardware solutions.

Leadership | Strategic Planning | Research | IP audio and IP audio communications | MASS Notification Systems | Scheduled Audio | Integrated communication systems | Vendor relations on and offshore

Galaxy Next Generation “G2”, Toccoa GA - November 2019 – Present
Technology Education Company with offices in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Florida offering K-12 Education technologies related to Classroom Multimedia, Bell, Paging & Intercom and OEM related equipment.

Chief Technology Officer

• Provide vision and leadership:
  • For all company technology needs.
  • To both the company and offshore software development teams.
  • To both company and offshore engineering teams.
  • For product development. e.g.
    • Advancement of G2 Communicator features:
      • Audible Alerting
      • Visual Alerting (PC, MAC, Chromebook, IFP’s, IOS and Android phones)
      • aChat (synchronous communication during an alert)
      • Activator (Industries first integrated Alert, Announcement, Intercom, Paging and Chat application for a smart phone.)
  • Migration of disparate systems to a single communication and storage platform providing better tool and cost savings to the company.
• Interfaced with offshore engineers and software developers to create:
  • IP speaker with integrated microphone array and flashers.
    • Integrated clock.
    • Integrated clock and video camera.
• Manage company MS 365.
• Manage AWS Cloud servers.
• Manage the Galaxy Next Generation Arizona office.
• Manage product assembly team.

Other:

• Co-Inventor
  • United States Patent 2020/0235824 - Device pairing using sound waves.
  • United States Patent 2020/0236724 - Assistive listening system that uses sound waves for device pairing.
  • United States Patent 2020/0235825 - Panic alerts using ultrasonic sound waves.
  • United States Patent 2020/0396540 - Audio/visual device with central control, assistive listening, or a screen.
    

Ehlert Solutions Group & Interlock Concepts, Sandy UT - April 2014 – 2019

Start-up Companies – Ehlert Solutions Group an educational design and consulting company with an installation arm. Interlock Concepts a manufacture and sales organization building innovative products for the K-12 educational market with a focus on audio, video, bells, public address, and surveillance.

Director of Integrated Learning (Ehlert Solutions Group)

• Manage business development for Phoenix Bell and Paging application.
• Create sales opportunities and maintain customer relations relating to sales of:
  • Bell, Paging & Intercom solutions.o SAFARI Montage sales and integration.
  • Audio Enhancement sales and integration.
  • IP based video surveillance systems.
• Provide live and video systems training for new installations.
• Design all systems sold by Ehlert Solutions Group.
• Responsible for creating bid response documents.
• Generate responses to RFP’s, RFI’s, and Submittals.
• Generate System Owners Manuals.
• Managed all related IT duties:
  • Company SharePoint system.
  • Office 365
  • Web Sites
  • Routers, Switches, computer, printers, etc.
    

Chief Evangelist (Interlock Concepts)

• Lead the architecture and development of Phoenix Bell & Intercom. (Now G2 Communicator)
• Developed the new user interface of HUB Bells. (Replaced by Phoenix Bell & Intercom)
• Lead the integration of a PBX into HUB Bells.
• Key member of the development of three OEM products which launched Audio Enhancement into the bell and intercom industry.
• Provided QA testing for all products developed by Interlock Concepts.
  

Audio Enhancement, Bluffdale, UT January 2012 - March 2014

A manufacturer of classroom amplification systems with offices throughout the United States and annual sales revenue of $20 Million.

Director of Innovative Technologies

• Manage the business development and business strategy for the SAFARI Montage/VIEWpath educational software product.
• Directly interface with SAFARI Montage development team to improve the VIEWpath product for integration into the Audio Enhancement ecosystem.
• Established streamline process for mass configuration of IP audio and video endpoints creating a new revenue stream for the company.
• Established pricing, sell directly to customers, and train sales staff on how to position product and establish value with customers; provide pre-sale design support for sales team.
• Provided post-sale implementation and training support to customers.
  

Tolleson Elementary School District, Tolleson, AZ 2009 – 2011

A school district with 6 sites, 4 schools, 3000 students, and 250 staff members.

Executive Director of Technology

• Provided strategic leadership and direction for all technology used in the district for classroom and business operations.
• Created, tracked, and monitored a $750,000 technology budget.
• Specified technology needs and worked with vendors to obtain the best pricing while keeping the district within legal purchasing requirements.
• Managed and oversaw the implementation and installation of new and upgraded software systems and technologies.
• Managed and supervised 3 employees and 3 consultants: hired and trained staff on new technologies.
• Managed the installation of new technologies, including New Active Directory Domain, Exchange 2010, SharePoint 2010, Lync 2010, Data Protection
• Manager, SQL 2008, System Center and Configuration Manager, Hyper V deployment, Windows 7, and Office 2010 upgrades.
  

SAFARI Montage, Phoenix, AZ - 2009 – 2009

SAFARI Montage provides K-12 school districts with a comprehensive solution for their digital media distribution and visual instruction needs.

Director of Systems Solutions – Western Region

• Provided technical pre-sales system design and configuration consulting.
• Managed and oversaw installation, implementation, and training.
• Facilitated administrative and end-user training.
• Collaborated with software development team and provided customer feedback on what features to add to future versions of the software.
  

Peoria Unified School District, Peoria, AZ - 1993 – 2009

A school district with more than 40 sites, 30,000 students, and more than 3,000 employees.

Director of Information Technology – Technology and Training (2004 – 2009)

• Managed and oversaw technology training for the district; supervised and led a team of trainers and 2 Media Specialists.
• Provided leadership to the district in new technology for classroom education and business operations.
• Specified new software and equipment, managed all site design and hardware, and performed maintenance of all public-facing websites.
• Tested, vetted, and recommended all education technology tools.

• Designed and implemented a plan to move the district web site to a Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server.
• Designed, planned, and implemented a training program to teach employees and students how to use Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server Services.
• Planned and managed the deployment of specialized technology projects including mobile wireless laptop centers and mobile projector carts.
• Co-authored the district’s Technology Policy.
• Installed and deployed the first Learning Management System; located, purchased, and implemented the replacement of the Blackboard LMS to the Moodle LMS.
• Brought podcasting and videocasting to the district; facilitated move to become one of the first school districts in the nation to broadcast and record all school board meetings live.
• Received Technology Coordinator of the Year Award by the Arizona Technology in Education Alliance.
  

Technology Training Specialist 1997 – 2004

Technology Life Careers Teacher 1993 – 1997

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 2001 – 2009

Ottawa University, Phoenix, AZ 2001 – 2003

• Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, Master’s Degree in Vocational Education
• Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology Education
• Arizona Teaching Certificate
• SAFARI Montage Certified Designer, Installer and Trainer
  

Archives

• Presentations
• Publications
• Training Material
• Workshops

Presentations

Speaking in front of a classroom for an educator is considered normal. However, getting up in front of a group of peers is not. Back in the year 2000 as a young Training Specialist, I had tripped over the ability to send email directly from Microsoft Word. This discovery created a “news-letter” class and with the encouragement of my boss, my first public speaking opportunity. Over the next 7 years I spoke at state and national educational trade shows.

October 2007: 21th NSBA T + L Conference(Nashville Tennesee)
“ Say it Again: Improving Student Learningthrough Podcasting” Presenter

July2007: ACTEAZ (Association for CareerTechnical Education of Arizona) SummerConference
“Say itAgain with Podcasting” Presenter

July2007: National School Public RelationsAssociation (NSPRA)
"The Skinny on Podcast, Webcast and Blogs"Co-Presenter

April 2007: 6th AnnualWay Out West (WOW) Conference
“ Say it Again: Improving Student Learningthrough Podcasting” Presenter

November 2006: 20th NSBA T + L Conference(Dallas Texas)
“Everyday Technology That Works for EveryStudent” Co-Presenter
“ Say it Again: Improving Student Learningthrough Podcasting” Presenter

July2006: ACTEAZ (Association for CareerTechnical Education of Arizona) SummerConference
“Say itAgain with Podcasting” Presenter

July2006: ADE Leading Change Institute
“Using Technology to Promote Leadership andIncrease Communication” Presenter

May2006: 5th Annual Way Out West (WOW)Conference
“Say itAgain with Podcasting” Presenter

March 2005: 24th Annual MECC Conference
“Leave No Person Behind: Training Built forToday, Tomorrow, and…” - Co-Presenter

October 2004: Peak PerformanceConference
“All AboutMovie Maker 2” – Co-Presenter

Publications

Over the years, I have had the opportunityto work on some very cool projects and on afew occasions, I sat down at the keyboardand put bits to hard drive.

As the Wide World Web was emerging, I was workingon creating a method for Peoria UnifiedSchool District teachers to create andpublish their own web sites. Once the process was worked out, I wanted to sharewhat I had learned with others, thus Learn Internet Information Systems was created. Learn IIS is a book designed to teach the non-technical person how to setup andmaintain a Windows 2000 server for their school district complete with a data base driven staff site list.

Click here to visit the Learn IIS web site.

As the Wide World Web proliferated throughout the country and multiple computer homes became the norm, our office began taking more calls from staff asking how to connect multiple computers to the internet. Being a Career & Technical Education teacher, I thought introducing basic networking to 7th and 8thgrade students would be a worthy addition to the curriculum. Over a holiday vacation, I started the prototype unit for a mobile networking lab. Three 7th grade ladies who successfully completed the project with time to spare completed the beta testing of this project. Unfortunately, budget constraints stopped this project before it was implemented.

Click here to view The Mobile Network Training Lab site (PDF)

Several years ago the wireless accesspoint forever changed personal computing in the home and in the schools. During this time, Peoria Unified Schools began a large rollout of laptop computers in a cart configuration. As with any implementation of new technology, we were faced with challenges and opportunities to learn. With helping others in mind, my former supervisor Ladd Bausch and I created a white paper titled The Wireless Classroom.

Click here to view The Wireless Classroom (PDF)

Training Material

Smart Notebook Classes

• Click here to download Smart Notebook Class 1
• Click here to download Smart Notebook Class 2
• Click here to download Smart Notebook Class 3
• Click here for the zip files you will need during the lab
• Connecting your Smart Board

Boring to Wicked Cool with Word 2010

• Watch Boring to Wicked Cool with Word 2010

Files used or to demo

• Step by Step
• Leonardo Da Vinci formatted
• Leonardo Da Vinci unformated

Boring to Wicked Cool with PowerPoint 2010

• Watch Boring to Wicked Cool with PowerPoint 2010 Part 1
• Watch Boring to Wicked Cool with PowerPoint 2010 Part 2 Adding prerecorded narration
• Watch Boring to Wicked Cool with PowerPoint 2010 Part 3 Adding narration
• Watch Boring to Wicked Cool with PowerPoint 2010 Part 4 Creating a Video

Files used or used to demo

• Step by Step
• Drawing of an Anatomical Study by Leonardo Da Vinci (image)
• Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci (image)
• Leonardo Da Vinci Unformatted (pptx)
• Leonardo Da Vinci formatted (pptx)
• Leonardo Da Vinci with Audio and Timings (pptx)
• Leonardo Da Vinci with Audio and Timings (video from pptx)
• Audio (zip)

Audacity

Audio files to practice with Audacity

• Dance_and_Boogie.mp3
• Funkadelic.mp3
• Highway_Man.mp3

Windows 7 - PPT and Video Files

• Windows 7 Overview Workshop PPT
  

Windows 7 Video's.

Click a title below to view.

1. Accessing Programs
2. Searching for other items in Windows 7
3. Pinning the Start menu and the Task bar
4. Peekaboo! Show Desktop
5. Sticky Notes (Post it notes that will not fall)
6. Snipping Tools (Screen Shots)
7. Windows Controls and views
8. Windows More Controls
9. Windows Classic Menu
10. Windows 7 Presentation Controls

Office 2010 General Skills

1. Creating New Files
2. Word Save File As...
3. PowerPoint Save File As...
4. Document Properties
5. Printing and Print Preview
6. Quick Access Toolbar (Some extra cool stuff too!)
7. The Ribbon and customizing
8. Selecting Text
9. Clipboard
10. Fonts Styles and...
11. Find & Replace
12. Screen Shots
13. Images, Clip Art, Shapes & Smart Art
14. Review, Reference & Spelling
15. Headers & Footers

Outlook 2010

1. Fining & Launching Outlook
2. Reading Pane, Arrangement & Conversations
3. Global Address List & School Address List
4. Personal Address and Distribution List

Workshops

• So you want to be a podcaster

Presentations

• Say it again, Improving Student Learning Through Podcasting
  
• What Did I Sign Up For! (Clark County Nevada August 14, 2008)

Contact

Contact me by email by clicking here.

Contact my Gooogle Voice at ‪(623) 777-9971

• Twitter
• LinkedIn

What Did I Sign Up For!

This section contains documents and files used in the presentation, "What Did I Sign Up For!

• PowerPoint with speaker notes (2.5 megs)
• PDF PowerPoint slides (748 kb)
• PDF PowerPoint speaker notes (1 meg)
• WMV video - PowerPoint and audio combined 640 x 480 resolution  (41 megs)
• WMV video - PowerPoint and audio combined 320 x 240 resolution (19 megs)
• M4V video - PowerPoint and audio combined 320 x 240 resolution (87.5 megs)

So you want to be a podcaster

This section contains documents and files used in the presentation,
"So you want to be a podcaster"

• PowerPoint with speaker notes (2.5 megs)
• MP3 audio podcast to accompany the PowerPoint  (14.6. megs)
• M4A enhanced podcast (17.1 megs)
• WMV video - PowerPoint and audio combined 640 x 480 resolution  (29.2 megs)
• WMV video - PowerPoint and audio combined 320 x 240 resolution (12.1 megs)
• M4V video - PowerPoint and audio combined 320 x 240 resolution (38.6 megs)

Files used in this workshop.  Save each of these files to your computer.

• Reading into the microphone (Word document)
• Reading into the microphone (PDF document)
• Almost There (mp3)
• Dreams (mp3)
• Montezuma (mp3)
• Crowd Laugh and Applause (wav)
• Helicopter Fly By (mp3)
• Vehicle Pass By (mp3)

Software used in this workshop.

• Audacity, Click here to download
• Audacity Portable (Windows only)

Elements

i = 0;

while (!deck.isInOrder()) {
    print 'Iteration ' + i;
    deck.shuffle();
    i++;
}

print 'It took ' + i + ' iterations to sort the deck.';