“I did a twisty, turny roundabout to get here,” said Upper School Technologist Lisa Deo about coming in for a landing at BFS one year ago. “I was in theatre for ten years, then 3-D animation and web design,” said the effusive former theater director. She then decided to try her hand at real estate while substitute teaching at BFS. She completed the real estate coursework, obtained a license, was just about to start, “and was dreading it,” when she got the call about the position here. “They saved me in the nick of time.”

1. What’s a technologist?
Upper School Technologist, otherwise known as a technology integrator. The idea is we integrate technology into the curriculum. We work with faculty on ideas they might have on class projects involving technology in the classroom. We also do troubleshooting and training.

2. Anything new at the school in terms of technology?
Eduvo is new this year. It’s like Facebook for school. It has students’ assignments, there’s an events calendar, they can upload homework.

3. Is it going over well or do the kids think it’s lame?
The Upper School kids at first were like, we’re already on Facebook, we already do this stuff, why do we need to socialize on Eduvo? But for homework management the response has been better. The Middle School really took to it right away. It lets them express themselves and express their identities online. They’re funny though, they’ll start their own exclusive groups and administer them.

4. They went straight to trying to hack the system?
We had to shut down their admin rights and make sure a teacher is involved in any new groups they create.

5. Is there a link between all of this and your theater background?
Absolutely. There’s a crossover between theater and everything. I’ve talked to my mother about this, she’ll say, you went to grad school for three years to be a director!?’ But I learned a lot about managing people, about working under intense stress, dealing with egos. It’s also about reading people and learning to collaborate with them. You have to constantly be in collaboration mode.

6. What’s your favorite part of being a technology integrator?
I love being called a genius for showing someone how to press a button. Seriously, I really like people and being in the community.

7. What’s the worst part?
On a technical level when you think a problem is going to take five steps and you get to the twenty-fifth step and nothing’s working, and someone’s standing in your office waiting for you to fix it. Also grading. I didn’t have to grade in theater.

8. You teach too?
Yes, I taught public speaking in the fall and digital media production this semester, both in the Upper School.

9. What do you like to do when you’re not busting heads at BFS?
Wishing I had more time off. I see a play once in a blue moon. I play guitar, I write songs. I just got an acoustic bass, too. I also paint, I don’t know what I’m doing though.

10. You write songs and play guitar. Is this a secret bedroom hobby or something you do in public?
In public. Once in awhile my friends and I form a band.

11. Watch out. People here are going to come for you.
I know, someone’s already come to me about starting a staff band.

12. What’s your family like?
Two older brothers. Italian. That says it all.

13. Got it. And where is this?
Warren, New Jersey, that’s where I grew up. My oldest brother has three gorgeous girls. They’re incredibly tech savvy. They have Webkinz and online Barbie. The 7 year old is incredibly tech savvy. They went to Disneyworld and she wanted to borrow my laptop because if she didn’t check in with online Barbie, Barbie was going to lose her job.

14. Favorite New York City restaurant?
Friend House in Manhattan. It’s in my neighborhood. It’s the one to go to for sushi. I’m not a big sushi eater but I love this place.

15. Desert island question. What three things?
Can I say my cat?

16. Um, well, why not if we don’t mind calling your cat a thing. Let’s call it a thing so you can take it.
I’m going to exclude technology because that’s too many accessories, so I would have to say a guitar. And I’ll say paper and pen because I have to write or I’ll go insane, and a fishing pole. I like to fish.

17. This is too many things. Cat, guitar, pen, paper, fishing pole. What’s your sign?
Leo.

18. Should have guessed. Do you think you fit the profile? Fire sign, extroverted, strong-willed.
Yes. Most definitely.

19. What’s your cat’s name?
Oh no, that’s the worst question you could ask. Her official name is The Lady Bunny Fairbanks III. But I just call her Babygirl or Princess or Sweetpea, she answers to all three. My friends ask what’s your cat’s name and I say whatever you want, just say it in a sweet voice and she’ll respond.

20. What’s one thing that’s always in your fridge?
Water, eggs, barbecue sauce.