Hello everyone, my name is Elaine Lee. I am a Kindergarten teacher who lives and teaches on the traditional territory of the Stó:lō people, the Semá:th and Mathxwí First Nation (Abbotsford, British Columbia). This is my 6th course in the MET program.
In this first task, we are asked to introduce ourselves in a fun way to our peers and the course instructor. Since it is aimed to help us learn more about one another, I thought I would explore my everyday work bag.
What is your daily need for the items in your bag?
- wallet
- sunglasses
- earbuds
- keys
- makeup
- hand sanitizer
- toner & body spray
- feminine hygiene
- pen
This work bag transports my ‘basic needs’ items to and from work. I usually pack very little in this bag as I carry a separate crate for students’ supplies (items I don’t leave at school such as mini erasers for building patterns, equipment for science experiments, picture books for the day, etc.) and a lunch bag.
How might these items be considered “texts” and what do they say about you, the places you inhabit, the cultures with which you engage, and/or the activities you take up?
Items in this bag in many ways act as text. The feminine product and the makeup purse communicate my gender and age. The phone, pen, and earbuds are connected to work and to this MET program. They allow me to stay up-to-date with assignments and emails. I also text my teaching partner, admin, and my EA during the day to communicate urgent needs. The hand sanitizer communicates that I care about hand hygiene or that I am exposed to many situations where I need to be constantly cleaning my hands,
Thinking about the title of the course, what are the “text technologies” in your bag, if any? What do these items say about how you engage with language and communication?
I would assume the text technologies would be my phone. I used to carry around my iPad before getting this new phone (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4) last November. With the 7.6-inch screen when unfolded, and its multitasking function, I use this phone to do almost everything: email, communicate, read, plan, you name it!
How does the narrative of the (private) contents of your bag compare with the narrative produced by the image you have of yourself or the image you outwardly project?
I think my bag does not project the entire narrative, in fact, it is quite limited. For example, the key lanyard and my UBC student card would suggest my level of education and my workplace. My gift cards in my wallet would suggest where I like to shop (Indigo, Jugo Juice, Costco, etc), and where I’ve been (receipts). However, the contents of my bag suggest very little of my interests, my personality or how I live my life.