Educational Technology Services
M I S S I O N & V I S I O N
Educational Technology Services supports the district's mission of ensuring the educational success of all students by researching, promoting, and supporting the effective integration of learning, collaboration, data, and communication technologies into the life and work of the Santa Barbara Unified School District community and beyond.
Our goal is to transform our department from one that singularly supports computer and network issues to one that becomes a leader in learning, collaboration, data, and communication technologies by delivering innovative professional learning, timely technical support, and influential institutional research in partnership with our community.
Chief Operations Officer
Steve Venz
Dubbed by Quincy Jones as “a beloved brother who is inspiring children to fulfill their dreams,” Steve Venz has been transforming public education for over 25 years. As the founding principal of Quincy Jones Elementary School, a nationally recognized Los Angeles USD jazz/arts-focused school in Historic South-Central LA. He later served as an Administrator for the Orange County Department of Education, earning the 2019 Vision & Excellence Award. During his tenure at Music Will, an education non-profit, Steve served as Chief Academic Officer/Chief Program Officer, leading nationwide initiatives, working with more than 300 school districts.
In addition, he taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Education at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been actively involved in various educational committees, including the Superintendent Transition Team for the California Department of Education, the Promise Neighborhood Grant Review Team for the US Department of Education, and the Superintendent Small Learning Communities Committee for the Los Angeles Unified School District. His work consistently promotes equity, cultural proficiency, and continuous improvement in education.
Since 2021, he has served as the Chief Operations Officer for the Santa Barbara Unified School District, focusing on district operations, strategic planning, and equity in student outcomes.
Director of Educational Technology Services
Rob Cooper
Robert Cooper is a seasoned educator with 20 years of expertise in the field of Educational Technology. Rob has taught multiple grade levels at middle schools and elementary schools and is a recognized distinguished educator and winner of multiple classroom technology grants. Previously, he served SBUSD as the Technology Integration Support Specialist for Elementary education. Throughout his career, Rob has been dedicated to integrating new technologies within classrooms to best prepare students for their futures.
Since joining Santa Barbara Unified in 2010, Rob has effectively partnered with teachers and administrators to train, integrate, and manage educational technology initiatives. Collaborating closely with ETS, teachers, and principals, he has played an integral role in the district's 1:1 techEQUITY program.
Outside of educational technology, Rob is a dedicated husband and father. He is a hobbyist, finding both serenity and a creative outlet in 3D printing, painting, and tabletop gaming. Additionally, he treasures living in Santa Barbara and enjoys taking advantage of the beautiful weather and outdoor spaces. Rob’s wife also serves our community as a Registered Nurse at Cottage Hospital, and his son attends high school in SBUSD.
Rob's unwavering passion for educational technology, combined with his commitment to the community, makes him an inspiring figure in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
