Back to Staff Directory

Ben Haensel

IT Lead & Infrastructure Specialist

ben.haensel@blueskyschool.org

(651) 202-2022


My Hometown
East Bethel, MN

How I Came to BlueSky
In 2007 I started at BlueSky as a music teacher and authored new curriculum that suited online music teaching. It was not long after that I found a love for the technical aspects of online education. Now am a systems admin and developer of BlueSky School sites in addition to other IT responsibilities.

What Makes BlueSky Special to Me
I like the fact that BlueSky gives staff the opportunity to form personal relationships with students in a way that fits my personality. I am grateful for the wonderful supportive BlueSky staff and the flexibility that BlueSky offers both staff and students.

My Passions and Hobbies
It’s a joy to work in education technology using tools like the Moodle LMS. Moodle folks are the most laid back, interesting, inspiring crowd of techies that I have met. The same could be said for string bassists in the orchestra world. I’m privileged to play string bass and serve on the board of the Northern Symphony Orchestra in Anoka, MN.

My Most Memorable Experience at BlueSky
My favorite BlueSky experience is constantly changing as we continue to build a catalog of fond staff memories. BlueSky staff are always looking out for one another, building each other up in times of trial, and sharing thoughtful oddities. A recent exchange I enjoyed was when a fellow staff member shared a box bursting with gently used tennis balls. My children continue to revel in tennis ball wars and racing tennis balls down the stairs.

Education
B.M., Music Education, St. Olaf College
Minnesota Teaching License: K-12 Instrumental and Classroom Music Education