Staff Spotlight: Nicole O’Hara-Shearer

Nicole O’Hara-Shearer has been part of NVUSD since February 2015, and her journey into the district is a story of persistence and purpose. After interviewing three times for an IT User Support Technician position, she remained committed to the opportunity she knew was right for her. That determination paid off, launching a career where she could combine her background in technology with meaningful work in education.

A proud NVUSD alum, Nicole attended Bel Aire Elementary School, Redwood Middle School, and Vintage High School, Class of 2003. Returning to serve the same district that shaped her has made her work even more impactful.

In her role, Nicole supports the technology that powers teaching and learning across the district. She describes her job with both humor and clarity: “I help the humans who teach other humans. When their glowing rectangles stop working or their digital lesson plans disappear, I fix it.” Whether troubleshooting a last-minute issue or ensuring systems run smoothly, she plays a vital role in keeping classrooms connected and learning uninterrupted.

Over the years, Nicole has experienced significant personal and professional growth, especially through the introduction of Arbinger and its focus on mindset and perspective. What keeps her here, though, is the people. “We’ve become more than just colleagues; we’re like family,” she shares. “That sense of connection, growth, and shared purpose is what continues to motivate me.”

How long have you worked for the NVUSD? Tell us a little bit about how you learned about your first job in our district - and what keeps you here!

I began working for NVUSD in February 2015. I interviewed three times for the IT User Support Technician position before being hired. I knew this was where I wanted to be, so I stayed persistent and continued working toward the opportunity.

I was drawn to the district because it allowed me to combine my background in IT with meaningful work in education. Supporting teachers, staff, and students with technology challenges is rewarding because it directly impacts classroom learning.

Over the years, I’ve experienced a lot of personal and professional growth. When Arbinger was introduced, the growth mindset really helped me begin seeing situations from a different perspective. It challenged me to approach conversations, problem-solving, and teamwork with more openness and understanding. That shift made a meaningful difference in how I show up at work.

What keeps me here is the people, especially my coworkers. We’ve become more than just colleagues; we’re like family. We support each other through busy seasons, large projects, and everyday challenges. That sense of connection, growth, and shared purpose is what continues to motivate me.

 

Did you attend NVUSD schools?

Yes — I attended Bel Aire Elementary School, Redwood Middle School, and Vintage High School (Class of 2003).

 

How would you describe your current job to an extraterrestrial who just landed in Napa Valley?

I help the humans who teach other humans. When their glowing rectangles stop working, when their digital lesson plans disappear, or when their giant interactive screens won’t cooperate, I fix it.

My job is part problem-solver, part translator (between humans and machines), and part calm presence when something breaks five minutes before a class starts.

At the end of the day, I make sure the tools that support learning actually work so students can learn and teachers can teach without interruption.

 

What excites you most about your job?

The problem-solving and the impact behind it. No two days are ever the same, and I genuinely enjoy the challenge of figuring things out — especially when it means helping a teacher get back to instruction quickly.

I also love that technology in education is always evolving. There’s always something new to learn, improve, or implement. That constant change keeps me engaged and growing.

But more than anything, it’s the people. I work with an incredible team, and we’ve become more than coworkers — we’re like family. Being part of a group that supports each other while supporting the entire district makes the work meaningful. Knowing that what I do behind the scenes helps classrooms run smoothly is what really excites me.

 

What was one of your first jobs that you remember fondly and why?

One of my fondest early jobs was working at a local horse stable here in Napa. I started helping at a young age, cleaning stalls and supporting riding lessons. That experience is where I truly developed my work ethic. Taking care of animals requires consistency, responsibility, and attention to detail—there are no shortcuts.

As I grew, I also had the opportunity to be a role model for younger riders learning how to ride and understand the responsibility that comes with it. That experience taught me leadership, patience, and accountability in ways that still influence how I show up today.

I took a break from riding at 16, picked it back up at 25, and am currently on hiatus again. But the lessons from those years—discipline, resilience, and mentorship—have stayed with me throughout my career.

 

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

Riding horses has been a meaningful part of my life for many years and has taught me discipline, resilience, and patience—lessons I carry with me both personally and professionally.

I also love hiking and spending time outdoors with my husband, James, and our dog, Hazel. Exploring local trails and being in nature helps me recharge and stay balanced after busy weeks.

Another tradition that is especially meaningful to me is spending time each July at Whispering Pines Resort in Cobb with my parents, brother, and cousins. I have been going there for 41 years. It’s more than a vacation—it's a long-standing family tradition that allows us to slow down, reconnect, and create lasting memories together.
 

 

Tell us about a time you set a challenging goal for yourself and how you accomplished it?

Earning my bachelor’s degree in cyber security while working full time. I’m currently two classes away from graduating, and balancing work, family life, and school has required discipline, time management, and persistence.

There have been moments when it felt overwhelming, but I stayed focused on why I started. I’ve learned to break large goals into smaller milestones and remind myself that steady progress is still progress. Each completed course has strengthened both my technical knowledge and my confidence.

Being so close to graduation feels incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that growth takes commitment, and that challenging yourself—even later in your career—is always worth it.

 

What motivates you to do your best?

Knowing that the work I do directly impacts classrooms. When technology works well, teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning. Even though much of my work happens behind the scenes, I know it plays an important role in keeping things running smoothly.

I’m also motivated by the lessons I learned from riding horses. Working with horses teaches you patience, awareness, consistency, and the importance of clear communication. You can’t force results—you have to build trust and respond thoughtfully. I’ve found that those same principles apply when working with people. Approaching situations with patience, understanding, and accountability helps create better outcomes.

And finally, my team motivates me. Working alongside coworkers who support one another and take pride in what we do inspires me to continue growing and giving my best.

 

 

What three (3) historical individuals (living or dead) or fictional characters (from books, TV, movies, etc.) would you most like to have dinner with?

If I could have dinner with three individuals, I would choose:

Temple Grandin—I admire her ability to see the world differently and turn that perspective into innovation and advocacy. Her work with animals and her emphasis on understanding behavior through patience and observation deeply resonate with my own experiences around horses and working with people.

Sonora Webster Carver—Her story, portrayed in Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, has always inspired me. Her resilience and determination—especially after losing her eyesight—demonstrate extraordinary courage and perseverance.

Charmian London—She lived boldly and adventurously during a time when that wasn’t expected of women. I would love to hear about her travels, resilience, and what it was like to carve out her own path.

I think that dinner would be filled with meaningful conversation about resilience, independence, perspective, and the strength that comes from living authentically.

 

What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?

One thing people might be surprised to learn about me is how much of my foundation came from working around horses at a young age. Long before I worked in technology, I was cleaning stalls, helping with lessons, and learning responsibility in a completely different environment. That experience shaped my work ethic and taught me patience, awareness, and accountability—lessons I still carry with me today.

 

Your Favorite NVUSD Core Value:

The core value that resonates most with me is Relationships Built through Trust and Belonging.

In my role, I work with staff across multiple sites, often during moments when something isn’t working and stress levels are high. I’ve learned that technical skill is important, but trust is what truly makes the difference. When people feel heard, respected, and supported, problem-solving becomes collaborative instead of reactive.

The lessons I learned early on—patience, consistency, and clear communication—have shaped how I build relationships. Whether it’s with my team or the staff I support, I believe trust is built through reliability, follow-through, and treating people with understanding.

When strong relationships are in place, everything else works better.

 

What is one of your books or favorite quotations?

One of my favorite quotations is from Seth Godin: “Change is not a threat; it’s an opportunity. Survival is not the goal; transformative success is.”

I relate to this quote on a personal level. Life brings unexpected challenges, transitions, and seasons of growth. Instead of fearing change, I’ve learned to see it as an opportunity to evolve and become stronger. That mindset has helped me navigate different chapters of life with resilience and perspective.

 

One of Nicole's favorite quotes is:

“Change is not a threat; it’s an opportunity. Survival is not the goal; transformative success is.”

-Seth Godin