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Well, I'm here to tell you it's not just a guy thing because it happened to be too! I think it's probably because people 1) have confidence in my ability to solve the problems and 2) I usually do it, even if it makes me a little crazy at times. But sometimes, as I'm fixing "whatever" I can work in a conversation about working together on _________________. Since I'm generally in their classroom and see what they might be working on at the time. I will take advantage of any situation to promote collaboration I guess Happy Friday Joanne Benson Glasgow Teacher Librarian Evergreen High School Campus 830 SW 116th Street Seattle, WA 98146 206-433-2311 glasgowj@hsd401.org "If you empty your purse into your head, no one can take it away from you. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." Benjamin Frankliin -----Original Message----- From: School Library Media & Network Communications [mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Clark, Curtis Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 8:21 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 LEGAL NOTICE: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. 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