Consider the amount of work that goes into the technology angle of a school. From managing the school’s website to running the wireless connection, there is a great deal of behind the scenes work that goes into running a technology shrewd school.

David Martens does not only do work for FC but for The Feather as well. He is a one-man band, sitting in an office the majority of the day, students do not truly understand the amount of work Martens puts in to the tech savvy side of the school.

While working eight hours a day, Martens still has the ability to manage the technology budget and assist in the development of special technology projects (i.e. teacher iPads) which are often funded by special donations. On top of it all Martens is also the worship team’s teacher and singer on the team.

“I oversee/perform the installation, maintenance and support of all things related to technology on campus,” Martens said. “This includes networking, database management, web programing/design and training of all staff on the use of installed technology.”

Martens graduated high school in 1981 from James Bowie High School in Arlington, TX. From there, he packed his bags and traveled to Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS. While majoring in music Martens also found technology very intriguing as well.

“Information Technology barely existed when I graduated from college,” Martens said. “Out of college I entered the field of music ministry and have continued to be involved in that through the years.”

Martens’ daily routine is very complicated. Not only being the IT director here at FC he is also the worship team director at the school. Martens came across the job here at FC while he was working part time at church; from there everything fell in place.

“I was working part time in a church as the director of worship,” Martens said. “My keyboard player happened to be the superintendent at Fresno Christian. He saw my abilities in technology and offered me the job when it came open.”

Working at FC for 16 years now Martens still enjoys his job and has played a role in the schools progression into multimedia and internet involvement. Specifically, with The Feather, Martens was involved in a large portion of the redesign/reprogramming work 5 years ago when The Feather moved to the current layout. He helps the student web programmers troubleshoot problems they are having as they implement new features on The Feather.

Jenna Weimer, ’14, plays keyboard on the worship team here at FC. Weimer speaks highly of Martens as her worship band director, and the role he plays in her life.

“Mr. Martens is a great worship leader and I have really enjoyed being on the team under him,” Weimer said. “He is always open to suggestions from band members about songs or arrangements but he does what he knows is best for the team. He’s really encouraging and funny and tries to minimize stress as we practice. For the entire time I have been on the team, he has been gracious despite my many mistakes. I really appreciate the example of worship he has shown us as worship leaders.”

From helping students, school and The Feather, Martens is also the help desk at FC. If you find yourself in a problem with anything technology related, Martens is the man to go to.

“Anytime anyone has a problem with anything I get called,” Martens said. “I also do quite a bit of web development work. The FC handbooks, standards, library holdings are online because of the web programming I have done. I have also developed the online accreditation tool the school has used in the accreditation process for as long as I have been here.”

The most challenging part of the job, Martens considers, would probably be keeping up with the constant changes in the technological world. When ever Martens finally has something figured out he states that it seems that the manufacturers come out with something new thus, having to learn something new, again.

Another challenging factor of being the only IT Director at FC, is the constant work that Martens has to stay up to date with so the school is always up to date.

“I think the biggest con is the fact that I am always on,” Martens said “I’m responsible for things staying up and running as close to 24/7/365 as possible. Since I am the only member of the FCS IT department that responsibility falls on me regardless of the time or day.”

Stepping back into the music realm, Martens talks about the challenge of switching from music director to IT director. These two jobs Martens describes as spinning plates or juggling, in other words, very difficult.

“One missed move and everything could crash down around me,” Martens said. “Both of these jobs could potentially be a full time position. Prepping music and staying on top of the requirements to pull off chapel twice a week while responding to technology requests and troubleshooting problems, can be a challenge.”

On top of the challenge between switching jobs, Martens tells a story of something that has gone wrong before, luckily it was not his fault.

“Fortunately I’ve never had a catastrophic failure of any of the systems I’ve managed,” Martens said. “I do remember the time our Internet provider called and told me that they were going out of business within the week. I had to scramble and find another provider in just a few days time, and then switch everything over to the new provider before we were entirely cut off.”

Principal Todd Bennett tells of Martens diligence and commitment to the school and how he helps everyone from students to the staff at FC.

“Mr. Martens has a very critical role here at FC being the head of the technology department he makes sure all computers are working as well as the Web,” Bennett said. “His other role as worship leader is very critical as well. He teaches kids how to serve the community and church in being worship leaders. Mr. Martens is a very patient and low key man. He doesn’t get his feathers ruffled very easily and has a very stable sense about him that translates to good behavior in the class room.”

For more features, read the Feb. 28 article, New club encourages hands-on learning.