--- TIC-TECH message:
To Tic-Tech
I don't think Mark has to apologize. I personally feel that some of things
that have been shared in this forum, bad or good has open a lot of doors and
definitely has the ears of the district. That is not always a bad thing.
Again, it's nice to know that we aren't alone either in things that happen
within our buildings. You know that old saying " Misery loves company". I
think sometimes when I am having an exceptionally bad week, and then I read
what Wes has gone through, then I have to take a step back and count my
blessings as a teacher and realize that all will be well. Technology is
still a pretty new thing because it is an ever changing medium and just when
we get the grasp of things, (we think) then it shifts and changes all over
again. I think maybe that's why some of us stick around and although we moan
and groan a lot, look at what has been accomplished with what we do have and
what little others have. It is truly amazing to me when I see other schools
and the outstanding projects that come out of the cubby holes that contain
that one or two computers.
I am not sure what can be done about bad feelings other than keeping the
communications open. I think we have all have had run in with the district
over one thing or another. I have personally experienced it, and it hurt a
lot, but it doesn't stop me from doing what I think is best for kids.
I think the last tech forum demonstrated that the district is interested in
what teachers have to say about the tech plan they are trying to put into
place. They were willing to listen to what was being said and all
suggestions were taken into consideration. That was a first as far as I was
concern, and I felt good about what I heard and what was said. I only hope
that the district continues with this kind of dialog and keep up the great
discussions on this forum
Peggy J. Soong Yaplee
psoong@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us
Infotech Teacher
Cleveland High School
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Ahlness [mailto:mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us]
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2001 6:59 PM
To: TIC-TECH@tic.ssd.k12.wa.us
Subject: Tic-Tech: moderator's note
--- TIC-TECH message:
Hi All,
As moderator of this list, I need to make a couple of comments regarding
recent postings. I made the mistake of posting an individual question to
the whole list. I should have returned it and asked the person to email
their question to an individual. This message eventually led to Wes
Felty's message over the weekend about the situation at his school, his
frustrations, etc.
I thought long and hard about his message before approving it for
distribution to you all. If I erred at all in doing so, I believe it was
in the area of allowing a posting to be hard on individuals by name. To
those individuals I apologize. I should have asked Wes to tone down the
personal stuff. I'm sure he would have.
This list is unusual in that we all work relatively close to each other -
many email lists cut across geographical boundaries. But it is more
unusual in its membership. Tech support, teachers, administrators,
librarians, instructional support, parents, assistants - we all sit down
at the same table with an equal voice, we all have arms on our chairs. So
that makes speaking one's mind a little like walking on eggs at times.
You think about who you might offend if you question a policy, an action,
or ask for information.
My personal observation is that this is a real difficult time for
technology in Seattle Schools. Here's part of the problem:
In many of the district's schools there are volunteers who have created
the technology programs in their schools. They have spent their own
money, donated their own time, and taught their own staff to advance the
tech picture at their schools. Now there are people who are actually PAID
to come in and do what these volunteers have been doing for years. These
volunteers are the teachers, assistants, librarians, and building tech
people who have worked way beyond the clock and the call of duty.
Contractors are moving in, tearing out networks put in by volunteers.
Buildings have to buy new servers and have them under lock and key. It's
tough to watch this if you had much of an investment in your school's tech
program.
So those who enter the domain of these schools ignored for so long need to
be aware of this. And those volunteers also need to examine their feelings
as their "turf" is taken over by someone else not a part of their
building. Obviously, the opportunities for resentment and unproductive
resignation are enormous. If you've read my thoughts on tech staffing the
past few years, you know what my answer is to this problem.
Again, my apologies for letting personal stuff go too far. But I would
encourage you all to continue to share your ideas, successes, failures,
questions, advice, and information on this list. If you have questions
or concerns, please drop me a note. - Mark
Mark Ahlness
mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us
Teacher, grade three at:
Arbor Heights Elementary School
http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Mar 05 2001 - 20:25:58 PST