Behind the scenes of every working classroom is technology that rarely gets noticed until it stops working. 

At the center of keeping the school connected is Mr. Kevin Buerk, HHS’s Network and Systems Administrator, whose job is to ensure students and staff can focus on learning without technical difficulties. 

On any given day, his responsibilities can range from managing Google Workspace and monitoring and troubleshooting unexpected issues. 

“A typical day is all over the place,” Buerk said, describing himself as a “jack of all trades” rather than a traditional IT worker with only one main focus.

Buerk’s path into information technology (IT) began during his college years. He attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), where he majored in computer science with a minor in mathematics. While completing his studies, he gained hands-on experience through an internship with the Jones Company, where he worked as a home builder on the network side of IT.

“That was like my first foray into the IT world, so I lived it,” Buerk said. “That’s what I truly had a passion for.” Since then, IT has remained his focus, beginning when he was around 19 or 20 years old.

Working in a school district presents its own challenges, especially in a smaller district.

“I would call it shortages,” Buerk said, explaining that staff members often have to wear many hats. Unlike larger districts where IT roles may be more specialized, Buerk handles a wide range of responsibilities.

“I don’t do the job of just one, I do that plus a hundred other things,” he said. 

Many people assume IT work is mostly technical, but Buerk explains that people skills are just as important.

“Honestly, a lot of what I do involves people,” he said. Strong communication and troubleshooting skills are essential, as he spends much of his day solving problems and figuring out issues using logic, experience, and discernment. 

Buerk also shared advice for students interested in pursuing a career in IT. With technology constantly changing, he recommends exploring in-demand fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and programming.

“Those two are just massively huge right now,” he said, noting the high demand for those skills. He encouraged students to experiment with and discover what interests them most, adding that earning an associate’s degree can also be a strong starting point for those not pursuing a four-year university.

Buerk’s impact extends beyond daily technical support. According to the HPSD director of technology, Mrs. Michelle Dirksen, his strengths lie in both leadership and dedication.

“Kevin’s strengths lie in steady leadership, deep technical expertise, and unwavering commitment to the district’s success,” she said.

She noted that he consistently provides calm, clear direction while ensuring that both daily operations and long-term technology planning align with the district’s goals.

Dirksen also explains Buerk’s proactive approach and strong relationships within the school community. She described him as detail-oriented, dependable, and trusted by both staff and students.

“He builds strong relationships with honesty and professionalism,” she said, adding that his solutions-focused mindset helps keep the district moving forward.

While official district policy requires staff to submit formal work orders for technical support, HHS ELA teacher Brian Murphy says Kevin’s approach is far more personal.

“Sometimes tech issues cause panic, especially if we’ve got a lesson on the line,” Murphy said. “Kevin could be in the middle of a dozen different things, but if I stopped him in the hallway right now… he’d make that problem his top priority. That’s just who he is.”

Murphy also described the technician as a vital, if informal, lifeline for the staff.

“Kevin is just a super-cool and super-helpful guy by nature. The district tells us all the time that if we have a tech issue, we need to fill out a work order. But sometimes tech issues cause panic… if I stopped him in the hallway right now with a problem, he’d make that problem his top priority.”

Though much of his work happens behind the scenes. Mr. Buerk plays a vital role in the schools day to day success. Through his technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and commitment to helping others, he ensures that technology remains a tool for learning rather than a barrier. 

Despite the workload, Buerk says the most rewarding part of his job is helping others.

“I just enjoy helping people,” Buerk said. “I like seeing smiles on faces.”