I agree with Kris. I'm definitely not a man but I'm the "go to" person when
it comes to wires, TVs, VCRs, DVDs, computers, video production, etc.
Admittedly, I was a video tech in my former life so I have the expertise to
back up what I do; however, I don't think most teachers know this. What they
DO know is that I have a CAN DO attitude. I'm not afraid to push a few
buttons and try to figure something out. I don't mind getting in there to
see what's going to make it work. I think non-techno minded people are
afraid of messing it up and have a funny way of showing their admiration (by
asking YOU to do it all).
PS: I do indeed wear flowing dresses, clogs, and my hair is down to my waist
- I just tie a knot in the hem, kick off the shoes, tuck my hair in my
shirt, and dig right in! :o)
On 1/11/08, Kris Mcglaun <kmcglaun@mccsc.edu> wrote:
>
> 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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--
Susan Grigsby, Teacher-Librarian
Elkins Pointe Middle School
Alpharetta, Georgia
susan.grigsby@gmail.com
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