The career path that Ulster BOCES Director of Technology Silas Whittaker has traveled has traversed almost every part of Ulster BOCES, from student to manager of the Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center (MHRIC), uniquely equipping him for his latest role as Ulster BOCES director of technology. 

“I’ve spent large amounts of time in every part of the organization,” explained Whittaker. “My experience in all those different pockets gives me a unique perspective on how to bring all of that together.” 

“Silas is a huge resource and is extremely committed to the BOCES organization,” said Ulster BOCES Assistant Superintendent for Operations Ed Forgit. “He is a true example of someone who has successfully navigated the BOCES pipeline. He lives our mission, our vision, and our values.”

Whittaker was a Kingston High School student in the early 90s when he made the decision to leave school to work and support his family’s farm during a difficult financial period. When his family’s situation stabilized and he was able to return to school, the only way he could earn enough credits to graduate on time was by attending the former Ulster BOCES Alternative School. Silas also completed two sessions in one year at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center. Although Whittaker had had no previous exposure to technology, he chose to complete dual vocational certifications, one in computer hardware and one in software, which appealed to his analytical mind. “At Ulster BOCES we talk today about ‘developing your unique self,’ and the organization back then definitely fostered that in students, as it does today,” said Whittaker.

When Whittaker first enrolled at the Alternative School, he volunteered in the computer lab. “That is where my exposure to technology happened and the ‘spark’ ignited,” he recalls. 

He then began to work part-time as a student-worker, at first responsible for cleaning computer screens and carrying out various other tasks at Ulster BOCES. He soon advanced to supporting two building networks and classroom technology by the time he graduated and was hired as a full-time employee. “I’ve literally been in every department at Ulster BOCES,” said Whittaker, noting that his experience included writing articles for the Community Relations team and working as a job coach during the summer school break. “I have never said ‘no’ to any job here or anywhere else–I have always wanted to be helpful and just not a one-trick pony,” he said.

This flexible, can-do attitude led Whittaker to a position as a teacher aide in the technology area, which involved assisting therapists who worked with special and alternative education students. Whittaker provided adaptive technology that helped students with severely limited motor and communication skills succeed in the classroom. “It was this area where I saw the most impact,” said Whittaker, who noted that the technology enabled students to perform “day-to-day things that we take for granted and really helped them flourish and fit in.”  

The next leg of Whittaker’s Ulster BOCES journey took him from student-based programs to the Instructional Services Department. He then became a Network Support Specialist where he worked with five of the eight Ulster County school districts

In 2005, he briefly left Ulster BOCES for the private sector to build and secure financial networks and build data centers, but returned after five years. “Ulster BOCES has always felt like home. I enjoy helping people and seeing kids flourish.”

In 2018, Whittaker advanced to the role of manager of the Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center, where he focused on cybersecurity. During this period, Whittaker was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, helping to mitigate the effects of cybersecurity incidents in the four counties served by the MHRIC. “We were doing a lot of cybersecurity stuff before it was big,” explained Whittaker. “I’ve worked with many big industry partners to develop technology to keep this population safe.”

Whittaker has been in his current role as Ulster BOCES Director of Technology since January of 2024 and is responsible for coordinating the many talented individuals working with different aspects of technology throughout the BOCES programs. The position is a culmination of his past experience and leadership. “I am working closely with Instructional Services, the MHRIC, and my own technical staff to bring everybody together and collaborate to make the best product, to streamline processes and procedures, and to work with the instructional staff to make sure their needs are met as well,” he explained. 

Whittaker was also recently appointed as the data protection officer for Ulster BOCES. “Silas has demonstrated an understanding of data privacy through cybersecurity, as well as through sharing of information through third party vendors,” said Forgit. “He is doing a really great job with that.”

“The role of a data privacy officer is one of compliance,” explained Whittaker. “It’s equally as important to foster relationships with staff and to build trust and explain why student data privacy is so important. It is not a place to stop things or block things–all things are possible, we just need the appropriate guardrails in place.” 

Whittaker is excited about the future of Ulster BOCES and the role technology can play in it. “We are right in the middle of working with a company called Future Ready Schools to build out a robust technology plan that aligns with the Ulster BOCES North Star initiatives and flushes out the budgetary process and what we need to make that successful,” he said. 

Whittaker will also play an important role in outfitting the Career Pathway Programs with the technology and infrastructure to support it at the new Ulster BOCES at iPark 87. “That move is going to have a big impact for this organization and also for the County.” He points out all the great things being accomplished in the many different departments of Ulster BOCES, and he sees the importance of bringing it all together and supporting that work. 

“I have to give credit to every team that I have ever worked as a part of,” concluded Whittaker. “We have really wonderful staff here in every corner and every part of this organization, and I look forward to that collaboration, to bringing great minds together to do great things on behalf of the students we serve.”