Empowered to Lead: How Professional Development Shaped a Career in IT
In 1999, Lori Moore began her career with the UT Charter School District as an instructional aide at the Austin Recovery Center (ARC)—the district’s very first campus. What started as a support role quickly evolved into a remarkable journey of growth, leadership, and transformation.
When the ARC campus closed in 2000, Lori was invited by then-superintendent Jeff Rhodes to join the central office team. She accepted without hesitation, beginning a new chapter on May 15, 2000.
From the start, Lori showed a keen interest in technology. UT Charter’s first Principal Darryl Phillips saw her potential and told her, “I’ve got a plan for you.” That plan led Lori to Austin Business College, where she studied hardware repair, networking, and cybersecurity. Her dedication paid off—she was promoted to LAN Administrator, and within three years, she was leading her own IT team as Senior LAN Administrator. Today, she serves as the Director of IT, overseeing a sophisticated infrastructure that serves around 2,000 students every year.
Over the past 25 years, Lori has witnessed—and helped drive—tremendous change. From a handful of small campuses in Austin to 25 sites statewide today, the district’s growth has been matched by its technological evolution. In 2000, the district had just 15 donated computers, no network and all student work was completed on paper. Today, every teacher, aide, and student has access to modern laptops and multimedia tools, supported by a secure, comprehensive network of over 100 virtual servers and 30 physical ones.
Lori’s work has been instrumental in shaping the district’s ability to serve students effectively. “When I describe our network to people outside the organization, their eyes widen in disbelief,” she says with a smile. “That always makes me proud. I stand a little taller thinking I just might have made a difference in this world.”
UT Charter School System Executive Director Melissa Chavez said, “Professional development is more than skill-building—it’s about building a culture of empowering every member of our team to contribute to our mission of serving students. When we invest in our staff, we invest in the success and future of the children who depend on us.” Lori Moore’s story is a testament to that commitment, reflecting a leadership philosophy that fosters a positive culture, recognizes potential and creates pathways for advancement as she grew from an aide to the district’s director of IT.
Her leadership journey has sharpened her self-awareness, boosted her confidence, and strengthened her communication skills. She’s not only grown into a more effective employee—she’s become a better person.
“Education is hard,” Lori reflects. “It’s so much more than a teacher standing in front of students. It’s passionate, intelligent people coming together to inspire students to dream big and reach their full potential.”
As the UT Charter School District continues to evolve, Lori Moore’s story stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when dedication meets opportunity. Her legacy is woven into the very fabric of the district’s infrastructure—and into the lives of the students and educators she’s helped support for a quarter of a century.