I don't think it is entirely because you are a man. I think it is because you are
nice person who knows technology. I get called to fix televisions, VCRs,
computers, etc. too. I get called to train people on media production stuff that I
don't know about. I am also usually the one unpacking the equipment and installing
it also. Now I know I get asked this stuff... not because I'm not a man but
because I'm me.
I think its also one way to remind people I'm here, I'm a resource, and then try to
mingle some collaboration into it.
Just a thought and good luck with the media production,
Kris
Kristina M. McGlaun
Library Media Specialist
Jackson Creek Middle School
3980 South Sare Road
Bloomington, IN 47401
812-330-2451, ext. 223
kmcglaun@mccsc.edu
________________________________
From: School Library Media & Network Communications on behalf of Clark, Curtis
Sent: Fri 1/11/2008 11:20 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] Is it because I'm...a man?
Amen brother.
Who hooks their stupid computers, VCRs, DVDs, televisions up at
home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why is it when I have equipment, shelving, or furniture in general. I'm the one
outside unloading the truck and in the end assembling the stuff.
Why is it the ones that refuse to collaborate, because I'm not really a teacher are
the first ones to call for help with the technical stuff. Or to bad mouth me
because I'm uncooperative.
Why do some teachers refuse to learn how to trouble shoot this stuff (young as well
as the more seasoned teachers) -- its not rocket science -- I've learned it by
watching and not being afraid -- and reading the directions.
Thanks,
Curtis L. Clark
Library Media Specialist
Harrisonville Middle School
601 South Highland
Harrisonville, MO 64701
816 380 7654 #5245
Fax: 816 884 5733
clarkc@harrisonville.k12.mo.us
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Hastings, Jeff
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 10:08 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: GEN: Is it because I'm...a man?
Colleagues:
[When I have a thought that's somewhat daring or offbeat to bounce off
you guys, I generally post it on a Friday. A little quirky reflection
just seems to fit the Friday mind set. Such posts should definitely be
considered purely elective reading. Proceed at your own risk.]
Here's the deal:
I'm wondering something again today--something I've wondered throughout
my career in education, from time to time. I'm wondering if I am not the
victim of some form of subtle, but insidious, sexual discrimination. Let
me try and explain:
I have--like many of you, I'd guess--a couple of degrees and a couple
certificates to teach. I got these teaching certificates and degrees in
part because I thought that the first few jobs I'd wound up in as a
young lad were two technology-focused. By that I mean that I got tired
of being merely a "machine-guy." To have a fulfilling career, I
decided, I really needed to work directly with students; contribute to
humanity in a way I found meaningful.
Unfortunately, as a library media specialist, I find that I have to
constantly fight for my right to teach. Constantly.
On the other hand, I simply cannot seem to shake the machine-guy role. I
am constantly being called upon to fix crap for people, for example. I
could live with this fact more easily if this accompanying fact weren't
also true: Most of the people who call me to ask me to come fix their TV
or troubleshoot their digital camera or walk them through burning a
stinking CD aren't the teachers with whom I collaborate and co-teach.
Instead, most of them are the very same people who are most dismissive
of me as a teaching professional. Some of them, in fact, are actually
people who are barriers to my efforts to teach.
And It can be very frustrating. And it can feel quite demeaning. Here's
an example currently playing out:
Circa 1992, I managed to procure some free TV production equipment via a
cable franchise agreement and started a daily, student-produced,
televised announcement program. Over the years, I built a very nice
little studio that cost our school district almost nothing. It was a
pretty sweet deal for everyone involved, and, for me, it was a great
opportunity to develop sustained relationships with students and,
mostly, to teach both television production and writing. I loved it.
Then a few years ago, without any discussion or debate that I was privy
to, our library clerical position was cut down to half time, making it
impossible for me to leave the library floor during a good portion of
the day, including the time frame in which I ran the telecast. I was
crushed by this, but hey, that's life. The thing that really bothers me
is this: Though our administrators suddenly become deaf and blind
whenever I appeal to them to consider restoring my ability to once again
run the program, they have no compunctions about asking me to train
people on the use of all the studio gear when they manage to snag a
willing volunteer to do a telecast or, as happened recently, a rookie
teacher. "Ask Jeff to train you, he's good with that kind of stuff."
What makes that okay? Isn't that like kidnapping someone's baby then
calling them up after a few weeks and asking them to come over 'cause
you need help changing the diaper?
So I've started to wonder what makes me such an frequent target when it
comes to be this sort of thing. Why do people find it okay to ignore me
as a teacher and equally okay to use me as their personal Geek Squad.
Often, when crouched beneath some teacher or administrator's desk,
choking in the dust and fumbling through a maze of cabling looking for
something amiss, I've puzzled over this one.
And I can't figure it out.
Unless...
It's 'cause...
I'm a dude.
Now I KNOW I'm going to get some backlash on this, but that's the only
answer I can come up with. I'm just being honest. And, honestly, I often
find myself troubleshooting something for someone, sweating and
generally wishing I was dead, and wondering: If I was female and my name
was, say, Marge, and I wore flowy and flowery dresses, would I be atop
this ladder right now checking to see if this teacher's s-video cable is
properly connected?
Well. What do you think? Would I?
Jeffrey Hastings,
School Librarian
Howl Schools, Howl Michigan.
shankhead@gmail.com
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