Submitted: Jan 15, 2016

JACQUELINE UNDERWOOD

46 Whittier Street

Florence, MA 01062

junder@underwoodphoto.com

978-290-2185

________________________________________________________

January 5, 2016

To Whom It May Concern:

It’s a pleasure to write this reference on behalf of Paul Donovan who has been the IT

Network/Systems Administrator for Gloucester High School, Gloucester MA since April 2013.

As one of the founding and active members of the Technology Advisory Group at Gloucester

High School, I was introduced to Paul at one of our weekly meetings. Gloucester District had

made a significant commitment to integrating technology to all curriculums, and needed

someone who could facilitate this commitment at the high school. At his first Tech Group

meeting it was clear that he was able and willing to become a team player during this process.

Paul is passionate about making technology work for each teacher and immediately began to

meet with teachers, assess their needs, and work with them to improve technology in their

classrooms. Paul was instrumental in improving Wi-Fi reception in each classroom. Prior to the

start of his tenure at GHS very few classrooms received a signal. Within two years, Paul had

updated the system so that each classroom could use the Internet. Paul faithfully attended

technology meetings and participated in mapping our initiatives such as creating one-to-one

classroom environments. He is relentless in making technology seamless for teachers and

students.

When I took over the Photography department in 2012 I was assigned to shut down the analogue

darkrooms and transition to an all-digital studio. Before Paul’s arrival I was having difficulty

upgrading the few working computers in the room and getting the broken computers repaired.

When Paul stepped into the IT position in the spring of 2013 he met with me on several

occasions to see what he could do to make this transition successful. By the summer of 2013, he

had upgraded the existing computers and repaired the broken ones.

In the fall of 2013 I was given a $70,000 gift of professional studio lighting equipment. Although

this was not Paul’s area of expertise, he researched and assisted me in setting up the equipment.

He would ask me what my vision was, such as wanting to teach from a 70 inch TV screen, and

he made it happen. He took the time to teach me how he integrated all hardware so that I could

take full control of my classroom. In the summer of 2014, I was awarded a grant to purchase 11

iMacs and Adobe Design Suite software. Paul installed all of the computers and the software

programs and integrated them with the teacher’s computer and cameras to allow for live-view

conferences. Paul’s work to insure seamless integration of technology into my photography and

design curriculum and my students’ mastery of the studio and technology so impressed the

original donor that he gave us an unprecedented additional gift of $400,000 to insure that the

photography courses would continue in the future.

I can highly recommend Paul Donovan as an IT Network/Systems Administrator. He is

exceptionally knowledgeable, generous with his knowledge, supportive, calm, thoughtful, and

kind. Working in partnership with Paul for two years to complete the Photography transition I

found him open to exchanging ideas, willing to do additional research out of his area of expertise

to insure an optimal integration of curriculum and technology. Paul is not afraid to dream big,

and encourages his colleagues to do the same. As a result, great things happen--like a state-of-

the-art photography program (unlike any other high school) thriving at Gloucester High School. I

am confident that he will be an asset to any organization he works within. If I can provide further

information on his behalf, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Underwood

Retired Fine Art, Photography, and Design Teacher (1994 – 2015)

Gloucester High School

Gloucester, MA