You probably have never had reason to notice Jerry Conner, Colton High’s high-tech wizard. He’s the guy who supports all the teachers by keeping the technology running around campus. Fixing computers, printers, and keeping us all on the web is his daily mission.
But there’s more to the industrious Mr. Conner than just Ethernet cables, network passwords, and WiFi. Recently, the Pepper Bough sat down with Conner and learned a lot about him during an interview conducted in conjunction with Conner’s being named one of this semester’s Campaign for Excellence winners.
How long have you been serving students/teaching?
I have worked in the education field for almost 30 years. 20 years with a school district in Illinois, and 10 years for CJUSD.
What subject area do you teach or where do you work?
I am a Technology Support Specialist I within the I.T. Department. I service the schools computers, printers, and phones.
What is the best thing about what you do?
Being able to interact with students and staff on a daily basis and to know that I have made some positive impacts on their day.
What is the best thing about CHS?
The people and the atmosphere! Why? I visit other campuses in the district on a regular basis and they do not have the same feel as CHS does.
What motivates you?
The feeling of accomplishment as I am walking out to my car after a very busy day. And to know that my work has had an impact on so many people on campus.
Interesting facts about you?
I am originally from the Chicago suburbs. I have six children, four daughters and two sons, and two granddaughters, the youngest is 2 months old. My wife also works for the school district. She is the librarian at Terrace View Elementary School. I was a firefighter for 20 years in Illinois, the last 7 years as Deputy Fire Chief. I was an extra for a day in the movie Backdraft. I am an amateur Herpetologist, keeping and raising many snakes at home, from baby and adult Ball Pythons and Western Hognose, to an adult Red Tail Boa we recently adopted from a shelter in Orange County. Luckily my wife is as involved as I am working with reptiles.
Favorite book?
To Sleep With the Angels. A book describing the terrible fire at a Catholic elementary school in Chicago in 1958. 95 students and teachers perished. This fire directly led to many of the safety requirements present in our schools today. I also had the chance to talk to one of the firemen who fought that fire. It was very chilling and I could still sense the emotion in his voice even 40 years later.
What was your favorite song when you were in High School?
Anything by the Eagles.
What was your favorite high school experience?
Getting my Driver’s License.
Favorite quote?
“You will only be as successful as you are willing to put forth the effort” –My own quote!
Who is your hero?
My Father. He was born in Indiana at the beginning of the Depression and grew up very poor. For a while, when he was around 10 years old they actually lived in a makeshift tent on the side of a building. He never told any of us about this. It only came out after he had passed away a few years ago. My Mother said he never wanted us to know about the conditions of his childhood. He just wanted to make sure his kids never had to live that way. So he worked construction for almost 30 years and provided a stable life for his four kids. I keep a copy of a very old faded picture of the tent on my office wall here at CHS. It reminds me every day to be grateful for what I have.
Future Plans?
My current plans are to keep working for CJUSD, hopefully remaining at Colton High. In a few years I will consider retiring, but not any time soon. My wife and I would like to open our own reptile rescue in the Inland Empire.
What advice would you give to students?
Stay in school and work hard to be successful and graduate!
Any last words or last thoughts?
I greatly appreciate being recognized through the Campaign for Excellence program for my work here at CHS. It is a great school, and I wouldn’t want to work at any other school in our district!
