School system hires New as network specialist

Aaron New has been hired as network specialist for Madison City Schools.

Aaron New

Working as network specialist, New said the “challenge at Madison City Schools is that the district is known as an innovator throughout the rest of the state. My challenge here is to keep up the standards that are expected.”

New feels optimistic, challenged and confident in accepting the position. “I’m challenged by the work that needs to be done, but I’m confident good things are happening,” he said. “The rest of the technology department is smart, dedicated and hard working. I cannot be successful here without them.”

He previously worked as information technology (IT) manager for Attalla City Schools. “I have also served in various capacities in several private companies and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) since 1994,” New said.

He grew up in Sardis City, but his family moved just before he entered and then graduated from Gaston High School in Gadsden. New attended UAH and then earned a bachelor’s degree in management of technology at Athens State University in 2010.

“I also hold Novell’s Certified Netware Engineer (CNE) and CompTIA’s IT Project+ certifications,” New said.

His work in the IT field actually “started by accident,” he said. “I took a student worker position as a freshman at UAH while attending school to be a mechanical engineer. Within four months, I went from stuffing envelopes to running several of the computer labs in the continuing education division.”

Several teachers have made impressions on New. “I can’t name just one. I had teachers in elementary and high school who challenged me, pushed me and saw potential in me,” he said. “It was actually years later that I realized what they did for me. Several of them I consider friends today.”

“My wife and high school sweetheart, Sonya, is an algebra teacher at Etowah High School in Attalla,” he said. The News are members at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sardis City.