Cybersecurity was already a high growth profession, but the events of recent days have taken the importance of hardening cybersecurity to an entirely new level. So, the need for trained professionals has become a lot more real. In this issue, we provide pragmatic ideas and advice on how you can be an integral part of a rapidly accelerating cybersecurity movement through offering training in just a few, but important, areas. 

Jim Gabalski
VP, Sales and Marketing

In this issue:

• Growth Opportunities
• Keys to Selling
• Curriculum Corner: Even Better Protection with CyberSAFE: Exam CBS-410
• Curriculum Corner: Our Cybersecurity Curriculum – Developed and Shaped by Women 
• Customer Spotlight
• Tech Talk Tuesdays
• Instructor Spotlight
• Latest Products
• Content Revisions
• Teaching Prep
• Client Services Corner
• Inside LO

Join the Logical Operations Instructor Community on LinkedIn. 
It is a place for instructors to connect with colleagues to share ideas, feedback, and insights related to instructor-led training. 

​​​Over 125,000 Trained from a $50 Start-Up Investment:
An Interview with Terri Williams Davy, COO

by Jim Gabalski, VP, Sales and Marketing

It was 1988 when Thelma Tippie got the news that she had been laid off due to downsizing from a very good job.  With a $50 deposit, grit, determination, and confidence in the computer training skills she had honed at her former employer, she started The Computer Workshop as a faith-based, family-owned business and the only woman-owned IT Training company in Columbus, Ohio.  Joining Thelma in the business are her son and two daughters: David Willams (Vice President), Kim McFarland (Chief Financial Officer), and Terri Williams Davy (Chief Operating Officer), who was interviewed for this Spotlight. 
 

The Computer Workshop family includes (from left to right) Kim, Terri,  Thelma, and David

When you speak with Terri, the word “values” comes screaming into your mind.  While the business is run on sound practices including minimal debt, organic growth, and driving reinvestment from retained earnings, it’s the human values that really leave you impressed with The Computer Workshop’s story. Successfully navigating the nuances of providing training to people from government agencies, large corporations, small companies, organized labor, and not-for-profits, this faith-based training provider takes great pride in providing training to those who otherwise would not have access. The Computer Workshop is actively involved in the Columbus community, sponsoring/supporting soup kitchens, 4H Clubs, Churches, “Cool Tech Girls” programs for middle schoolers, and homeless initiatives; they do it with the same vigor that they bring to providing training to IT professionals in Columbus and around the world.

“On a daily basis, I hear from students we’ve trained that we helped them get new jobs or get a promotion or enter a new field that they are passionate about," says Terri, adding “That is a very satisfying feeling." The Computer Workshop operates like an extended family with many employees spending a decade or more as part of the team. “An employee of nearly 20 years recently moved on to an exciting new role with a different organization," said Terri, “She was part of the family and I feel like she grew up here. While we were sad to see her leave, she will always be part of The Computer Workshop family." Terri also takes great pride in training quality and the resilience of the company. “We started in desktop applications, added in Networking, then Programming, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and other leading-edge technology as the industry demands. We continue to answer the market needs but always ensure we are using or creating world-class content.”  

So, what’s next for The Computer Workshop? Already heavily invested in data training, they’ve selected courses to teach that ensure best-in-class training for Data Analysts and Data Scientists. They have created a Storytelling With Data course that Terri says is “one of our hottest classes.” Recognizing that the COVID Pandemic created a pivot point in the training industry, Terri and her team are asking some important questions. Is in-person training coming back? Will it continue to be virtual as the dominant delivery modality? Will the Metaverse change everything?  Am I going to accept Bitcoin for payment? But regardless of the answers to those questions, Terri is confident that the backbone of The Computer Workshop will remain --- People. Confident that people will always learn best from people, great customer service will never go out of style, and that service to the community is always the right thing to do, everything else will take care of itself.

“My 83-year-old Aunt Barb Leatherwood came to work with us 10 years ago,” said Terri. “She never wanted to work with a computer but we set one on her desk. The second day on the job she asked how to  work it so we got her going. Now she wants a THIRD screen!” The Computer Workshop changes lives!

Terri’s advice, “Walk slowly.  Listen. Be kind.” Great words to live by.
 

March 2022 Instructor Excellence Award: Amy Starzynski Coddens

Amy Starzynski Coddens CMMC CCP Instructor and Strategic Partnerships Manager Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC)

​​​​​Amy Starzynski Coddens is a CMMC CCP instructor who currently serves as the Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center (REN-ISAC). “I’m kind of a Swiss Army knife of education/outreach skills & knowledge with a dash of cybersecurity thrown in.” Amy came to the REN-ISAC from Indiana University's Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research, where she served as the Education, Outreach, and Training Manager, but she has a background in P-16 education, research, and outreach. Having experience working with the government and in academia, Amy has contributed to projects with the CMMC-Accreditation Body, National Science Foundation, NASA Education, the New England Research Institute, Harvard’s PEAR Institute, the United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, and the IU Kelley School of Business. 

Before focusing on CMMC CCP training, Amy taught everything from Behavior Management to children's yoga. According to Amy, she was originally drawn to CMMC because it was something new and kind of mysterious at the time. “I kept learning about it and truly became passionate about the model and how each part of the ecosystem fits and matters once I became more aware of the 'why' around its creation. No, I don't think it's perfect, but I do think it is needed. I also think the fact that POA&Ms are allowed in version 2.0 is a very good thing!”

Amy comes from a long line of educators, so she feels like she always wanted to be a teacher. Amy never strayed away from education and got her B.S. in Public Health Education but wasn’t always involved in direct instruction. “I am an extrovert and can talk to people all day long about nothing. I did love being in the classroom, but it wasn't really for me. Instructing adults, however, gives me the best of both worlds.” Although Amy enjoys every part of her job, a part that stands out to her is finding a way to easily explain difficult concepts so they are easily understood. “I used to teach special education a few lifetimes ago, and I have the view that approaching teaching and learning as something that is moving/breathing/living and CAN be changed to fit each student is a pretty good philosophy. It's all just like a giant puzzle - you just have to figure out where the pieces fit!”

This past year, Amy has been fortunate enough to serve with a group of other amazing women to stand up the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Business Information Security Officer (BISO) Affiliate. The BISO role is relatively new but is one that is projected to open up a career track for women in the field of cybersecurity. Looking to the future, Amy would absolutely love to move into more of a leadership role, but also truly loves the work that she does at the REN currently. “Every day is different, I get to work with amazing partners from all over the higher education and research landscape to better security awareness, and our team is fantastic. I also enjoy the work I have done with EDUCAUSE, WiCyS, and other organizations - my cup is pretty full!”

As a lifelong Hoosier, Amy is currently working toward a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Law and Policy through the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband, Zachary, who also works in cybersecurity at the OmniSOC (he's more technical and is a security engineer), and her two amazing children, Ellie and Emma.

March 2022 Instructor Excellence Award: Mike Brown

Mike Brown Certified Technology Instructor New Horizons Computer Learning Centers

Mike Brown is a Certified Technology Trainer at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers where he teaches technical certification courses including CompTIA, ITIL, and Microsoft System Engineering. Mike has taught an array of classes over his 20 years as an instructor to over 8,500 students. In addition, he has also written his own content and has dozens of courses on platforms like Udemy and Wyzant.

Mike has always been interested in computers. The first computer he ever clicked on was running Windows 3.11. He just naturally took to computers, he says, “It was like I was always meant to be in the computing field, and there came a time when I realized I was good at teaching other people to use their computers!” That day, a computer instructor was born in Mike, and he knew he had to find a job as an instructor and start teaching. “I know this is hard to believe. but I first heard of New Horizons Computer Learning Center by responding to a newspaper ad in the mid-1990s! Yes, so long ago that help-wanted was still in a newspaper!” It would be several years later that Mike would get hired and would conduct his very first class. “I was not going to take no for an answer, I HAD to be a computer instructor! I called and hounded them for 6 months before they finally gave me a position. That was in 2002 and I've been an instructor ever since.” 

Mike would not change a thing about his job as an instructor. One of the biggest reasons why he enjoys it is because he feels that you are in control of the class, like a leader, but not a boss. You are a student's motivator, role model, and confidant as they learn new skills and meet their personal goals. “I have been a college professor, taught for the Board of County Commissioners, and worked for years with New Horizons and the best part is that connection when a student learns something new.” Sometimes Mike looks back and thinks about all the lives he has changed over the years. “People that now have college degrees, CompTIA certifications, or students that just wanted a new skill all have been changed forever because I was their instructor. This is what any instructor enjoys about teaching,” Mike says. 

Another reason why Mike feels so rewarded in what he does every day is that before he gained his passion for computers, he never even imagined that being an instructor was in the cards for him. “If it wasn't for that time I, almost by divine intervention, came across a tiny PC running Windows 3.11 --- who knows where I would be. I opened Microsoft Paint and started playing with it and now 27 years later, I live a great, happy prosperous life...all because of a series of wildly connected, lucky after lucky, events that brought me to where I am now.” 

So, what's next for Mike? Well, in his eyes you can never have too many certifications! So, he is sure he will have many more exams to study for! As a Key Wester, he has his kayak and his dog and a lot of adventures yet to be had. “Wherever I go I know I'll have great students and great content to teach them as long as I use Logical Operations! They are what made me such a great instructor!”

Submit Your Instructor Nominations for April

We're recognizing instructors who have reached key milestones and made a meaningful impact in the training world. Do you want to nominate an instructor who you feel deserves to be recognized in the next Logically Speaking? Visit the Instructor Spotlight page to get more insight into what the Instructor Spotlight is all about.

CFR Instructor Tools 

by Megan Branch, Chief Operating and Product Officer, CertNexus

Are you ready to teach CertNexus’ CyberSec First Responder® for the CFR-410 exam? CertNexus has created a set of tools designed for busy instructors who want to add a globally recognized certification course to their portfolio. Each instructor bundle is designed to set you up for success. 

• Instructor curriculum with:  
  • Notes to assist with content 
  • Setup instructions 
  • Scheduling and timing tools  
• Train the trainer (TTT) videos. 
• Exclusive tips and resources from a Master Instructor.  
• Bridge documents and videos for experienced trainers who taught CFR for CFR-310.  
• PowerPoints that are customizable to meet the needs of your class. 
• Mapping document for students preparing to take the CFR-410 exam. 
• Access to Master Instructor via CHOICE messaging. 
• Optional lab access. 

What’s Next: How Do You Answer a Student’s Most Pressing Question?

by Jon O'Keefe, Technology Education Jedi

Picture this: You’ve just finished teaching an entry-level IT course. A student opens their microphone or raises their hand and asks you, “What’s next?” 

It is a question we get asked often, especially in the IT and security space. It’s an exhausting question as we’ve just finished a long class, and it is one that’s easy to brush off and leave to someone else to answer. We must be mindful as instructors that the “What’s Next?” question is a gift, not a burden. It is this question that can help shape not only the careers of our students, but also our own as well. There are literally hundreds of certifications out there in the IT space, and students will get conflicting information from Reddit, co-workers, and YouTube in the coming days and weeks after your class. However, not all of those lead directly back to you and your organization, and this one question of “What’s Next?” is the best opportunity you have to keep your students coming back for more. 

Recommending the “next class” can be a huge responsibility, however. This is why you need to have a plan and a path forward. Make sure you can recommend the next steps from basic to intermediate, to advanced, and even to specialized vendor certifications. Logical Operations includes a whole “What’s Next” section at the end of all of our courseware to give you and the students some ideas on how to continue along their journey. At the end of any class, you should always be prepared to show the next few classes/certifications your students should be looking to earn (bonus points if you can teach these as well, for your own income and job security). 

Don’t treat the end of the class question of “What’s Next?” as a burden, and instead prepare to answer it for any class that you teach. Logical Operations and CertNexus believe there is always more to learn, and so we provide some ideas in a “What’s Next” section at the end of every CHOICE manual. Your students will be more likely to return to take classes from you if you spend a few extra minutes at the end of your class to show them the path forward. 

Searching the Logical Operations Store Made Easy with These Steps!

by Chandra Foster, VP, Global Client Services

Looking for security material such as CFR-410? 

URL: https://store.logicaloperations.com/

• Type CFR-410 in the search box 
• https://store.logicaloperations.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=cfr-410 
• Use the left-hand NAV to narrow your search 
• Audience:  Student 
• Product Type:  Digital Courseware 

With each selection, it reduces the list of products for ease of ordering. 

Now, you have two options for Student Digital material: one with lab and one without. Select ADD TO CART. 

It’s that simple! 
 

The same can be done with CyberSAFE: 

• Type cybersafe in the search box 

• https://store.logicaloperations.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=cybersafe 

• Use the left-hand NAV to narrow your search 

• Language:  English 

• Audience:  Student 

• Product Type:  Digital Courseware 

The four courses are below. Those who are already certified and need to stay in compliance would order the CyberSAFE RECERTIFICATION eLearning course. The other options are the standard CyberSAFE course or the eLearning version, if preferred. 

As always, the Assist Team is here to help. We can be reached at assist@logicaloperations.com or 1-800-456-4677 option 2. 

Chandra Foster 
VP, Global Client Services 
assist@logicaloperations.com 
1-800-456-4677 option 2 

Inside LO - Powered by the Experience of Women

by Nancy Curtis, VP, Content

As the Logical Operations staff member with the longest continuous tenure with the company (31 years), I can personally attest to the importance of all my female colleagues in driving the success and shaping the culture of LO and its predecessor companies.  LO has always been a place where female professionals in any job role can thrive and succeed in an atmosphere that not only welcomes but embraces women’s perspectives, concerns, needs, and points of view.   

Currently, women make up about half of the total employee base of the LO family of companies (including CertNexus, New Horizons@LO, and Logical Operations itself). We have female leaders and contributors on all levels and in all areas of the company, including my own Content group, the Client Services and Finance teams, as well as Partners, Sales, and Marketing. CertNexus is 75% female!  

The LO family is a relatively small and tight-knit group, so it’s amazing to realize that the strong women across the team have a total of nearly two and a half centuries of experience with the company (243 years to be exact)! 

Here's what some of my other long-tenured colleagues have to say:  

I couldn’t agree more with my colleagues. I’ve also benefited from LO’s gender-equitable technical and professional advancement, as well as the extraordinary flexibility the company provided for me to raise and support a family as a full-time working woman. Thanks to everyone at LO for building and maintaining a community that values each employee’s authentic self.