LMS: Who are they?

["Edmond - Rebecca M." <rebeccae@umd5.umd.edu>]

Maureen Simmons asked, "Where do Media Specialists come from?"
Always curious, this is a fun thread for the summer.

I graduated in 1976, with a degree in geography.  I had thought I would
work for the U.S.G.S. in cartography.  Instead I lived abroad for a year,
edited flood plain studies for 3 years, managed a vineyard in Virginia for
a year, waitressed a few years, managed a store a few years and was an at
home mom a few years.  My dream throughout much of that time was to get my
masters in landscape architecture from U. Va.  Of course I was living in
Annapolis, MD then, married to a man that had no intention of packing up
and moving to let me pursue the unknown.
I took a teaching assistant's job with the county school system for all
of the wrong reasons.  Two years later I was given the oportunity to run
the first computer lab in the county.  My job has expanded tremendously,
but the pay has not.  I love working with the teachers and students.  I
have always been an avid reader.  As a student I prefered the reaserch
process more than the writing.
Then one day a teacher at school came in to ask me a "where would I
find..." question.  After I gave her the information she needed, I asked
her why she came to me (the question had nothing to do with technology),
she replied that I was like a librarian, I "always knew those things".
Shortly thereafter I had media specialist friends fuss at me about my dead
end job and how I should join their ranks.
I knew I didn't want to be in a regular classroom, I still wanted to work
with teachers and students, I like variety, I love books, and I have a
strong computer background.  It seems like the perfect solution for
me.
My wonderful husband has had to put up with a lot these past few years
while I have gone back to school, but he hasn't had to move.  I am not
done with my masters in instructional technology, school media.  I have
submitted an application (just this week!) to the county, should they be
able to find a position for me prior to my completing the degree.
This listserv has been a tremendous help for me.  Not only do I find out
technology tidbits that I can use now, I have picked up items for my
graduate work.  I also feel that it is helping to prepare me for my future
position.
I belive that because of todays technology, information skills will become
more important in tomorrows classrooms.  Reading, recreational and
instructional will never go away.  I know that media specialists positions
will only grow in importance.
 Hope this helps.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Becky Edmond            *
* rebeccae@umd5.umd.edu   *
* Technology Coordinator  *
* Annapolis Middle School *
* Annapolis, Maryland     *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *