Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
Oct
5
Written by:
10/5/2009 12:04 PM
When I first started being a Tech Director (former job) I felt great pride in being the guru of tech knowledge and unfortunately, I also did my best to keep that knowledge just beyond the reach of the staff. You might call it a lot of things….but in actuality it was a lot of conceit with a bit of job security.
Now, jump forward 10 years (perhaps 10 years of wisdom, 10 years of maturing) and my major focus is to eliminate my position at work.
You see – for many many (too many) years …I was the holder of all tech wisdom. (100% mostly for my gratification and my ego). The false sense of pride of being the “techie know it all” not only alienated and limited my staff but also was selfish to myself and the burden I placed upon myself…because of my unwillingness to share the information.
So now I am consciously striving to put myself out of a job.
Here are some things I am (or am no longer doing):
* Refusing to touch the mouse when I am called in to help a teacher but letting them drive.
* Writing up “HOW TO “ worksheets and placing them on the server and no longer hoping staff will read them, but directing staff to read them before jumping in to trouble shoot something they could troubleshoot on their own.
* Inviting and dragging (yes, right now I am dragging) teachers to conferences, to conversations, and to training and then following up later to see how they are doing and having them share at in-services instead of myself always teaching
* Not giving my opinion on matters as quickly as I had in the past – but instead taking time to seek others viewpoints and contributions.
* Sending grant ideas to teachers with a “you could and should apply for this”
* Sharing the deep dark secrets of the network – okay, not totally true – but not making the network such a “scary, members only area”
* When receiving emails of “Jen, do you think this is a hoax” returning the email with “what does snopes say about it”? and other various ways of not always being the know it all.
AND
* No longer saying “Yes, I can” but saying “Yes, you can.”
I do not know the number of my days – at work or in my lifetime – but I know pretty certain that this job will not be my last job and though I do not have plans to leave any time soon….I do not wish for them to be helpless and hopeless just because I am not there.
I do not wish for the vision of tech at my current campus to be driven by one person – especially if that one person is me. My limitations of knowledge, my ruts of certain software that I am comfortable with, and the setting of goals and benchmarks should never be the final say on my campus.
It is very very easy for me to jump in and do it all – but it is much better for my campus to learn to not only be self-reliant but also team players who work together for a common goal that is understood and written by all (and not just by me.)
I do enjoy the campus that I work on. Most of the people are eager for new ideas and are thankful that they have someone kind in my position right now who does not bark at them for their lack of tech savviness. But I also know that once I get them to the point that they don’t turn to me first – they turn first to themselves and then they turn to a fellow teacher or their PLN….then I have done my job!!
Jen
(crossposted at: http://jenuinetech.com/blog/?p=1196)
10 comment(s) so far...
Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
Very interesting and relevant article. I too am (was like you but now I make the teachers drive the mouse. I have not gotten better at saying "no" which in my belief should not be used but that I will give you a hand later. You see, my problem is stopping my work to help them and then I find myself starting my next days plans at 6 pm. Thanks for the blog.
David Salmon
By David Salmon on
10/6/2009 2:29 AM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
You really struck a cord. It is so hard to encourage other teachers to realize that they can troubleshoot and not to panic if the monitor won't turn on, or they cannot get a program to print. Take a deep breath, and try different things. Good advice about the How To's which I will start to do on Monday. Thank you.
By Diane on
10/9/2009 10:07 PM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
Very, Very relevant as it pertains to the techs in my high school. One of them is fairly new and when he started he changed all of the passwords in a room of 30 computers that I managed for 8 years. He has no knowledge of the program (Gerber Technologies Suite) that is used in that room, but he made the changes anyway.
The computers work but the program and the additional peripherals are giving problems because of the locks and limits that are installed.(program has its own locks)
Thanks for the article I will print it and put it in their mail box
By Allyson on
10/10/2009 5:11 AM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
I thought I might have written this in my sleep. Several years back, our school district developed a group of techies that were to serve their individual campuses much in the same capacity as you described. Just this year, this position has been dissolved in an effort to make teachers more accountable for discovering, and using technology as it is made available. At first, I was quite indignant that I wasn't needed as a C-Tec anymore. Since it wasn't my primary job, and I only C-Teched on off periods, it wasn't like I was losing a pay check. It did feel like I'd lost a little prestige. As I reflected on the change, I must agree that is really is better for my campus to be self-reliant, and teach each other and learn from each other. They seem to take more ownership of technology as a result. Now, if it's alright with you, I will use your phrase of 'Yes, you can.'
By lois on
10/6/2009 7:49 AM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
Nice Article!
By Anonymous on
10/8/2009 10:16 PM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
After 6 years of training teachers and performing help desk duties, I realized how endless this position actually is. The rapidly changing technology software and hardware is a struggle for all of us to keep up with. I have given up the fight. I heard a speech from a district in PA who told all faculty.."If you can't learn, you can't TEACH". How true. Technology is all our problem. Do YOUR part to teach your students how to effectively integrate technology into their lives and then look in the mirror and call yourself a teacher.
By Job Done Well on
11/2/2009 5:13 AM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
THANK YOU! As a former teacher/now trainer on software, it has been frustrating to be at the mercy of teacher dependence on their tech. Not knowing basic computer problem solving skills, I would have to teach these before the software. The tech, seeing themselves above "training" would not attend training; and not understanding applying the 'more dynamic' software, couldn't help, but still liked keeping teachers dependent on them.
Admitting it was ego, etc....is BIG and garnered tremendous respect. You're my hero. How do I send this out to those that need a little push?
By Trainer on
10/9/2009 2:29 PM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
I love this article! I can't wait to share this with our group of Tech Integration Specialists. Some times in this group, they aren't sure how to get their staff on board and this would be an article that they should read. I guess, I am one that needs to do that "dragging" with them as well.
Thank you for your insights! I always love reading your stuff on Twitter as well.
By Deanna Stall on
10/10/2009 1:17 AM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
Thank you for this article. I am interviewing for one of these "tech" positions this week. I wasn't sure I wanted to post for the job due to some of the very relevant stereotypes so eloquently described in this article. However, it is my goal to inspire teachers to integrate technology and make sure that technology available to all. I will use the "You can" philosophy and hopefully help create a climate of autonomous life-long learners. :)
By Potential Tech on
10/27/2009 2:50 AM
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Job Security No More......(by Jen Wagner)
Great post and so relevant. I am the tech lab teacher at a school for Grade 1 to 3. I've reached the point where I no longer drive the mouse for the children but some of the teachers are comfortable being dependent (some have made good progress in the four years I've been at the school.) After reading this post I'm more determined than ever to "give the bicycle a push and watch the adults pedal alone."
By Brenda Hallowes on
10/31/2009 4:41 AM
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