Hello, fellow ETEC 540 participants! I am Steve Acree, son of Dave and Julie, brother to Joy and Karen, husband to Jacqui, and father to Sam and Ava. I am a teacher to Grade 11 & 12 students, Guidance Director to high school students seeking their pathways, and Vice-Principal to those requiring administrative support. As a visitor to the territory of the Okanagan Sylix people, I embrace the outdoors in hiking, camping, gardening, and fishing, often with our dog Juno by my side.
The bag I have emptied is my daily companion, accompanying me to and from our school, and to each class that I teach. As a result, most items in the back are related to my role as an educator. Many of the items are used daily, the computer being the greatest example of frequent use. While pens are used daily, the bag contains more pens than I require at any given moment to allow for quick access and a variety of colour selections. Whiteboard markers are used less than in years past but are still valuable enough that I carry my supply classroom-to-classroom rather than assuming they will already be present. My work keys, personalized with my Pirates of the Caribbean medallion, remain in my bag and are an essential part of my day. Also present, are my moleskin daily notebook, sticky notes, student work to be assessed, a computer charge cord (extra long for ease of loaning to students who may not be near an outlet), an HDMI adaptor, wallet, glasses cleaning cloth, and several pieces of evidence of a recent overnight trip with students. A band-aid for emergencies, hand sanitizer, toothpaste ( but no toothbrush!), essential mints to avoid being “that teacher” with bad breath, and finally a Buckley’s cough drop and mask (I was recovering from sickness as I got on the bus).
These items act as texts, creating a narrative and a picture of the work that I do while incorporating the individuality that I bring. They depict an individual who is intentional in his work, and strategic in his packing. The image I’ve provided is a creation that characterizes my professional life and reveals some personal preferences and experiences – a taste for curiously strong mints, for instance, and a memory of a Disney ride on my honeymoon.
The text technologies that are present, as well as a couple of items that are not, tell a story about my interaction with language and technology. The computer is open most of the day, providing lessons, visuals, access to the Google Classroom, connection to communication tools such as email, accepting student assignments digitally, and acting as a conduit for feedback. Yet older technology is also present and well-used. The notebook is written daily, providing a site for planning and record keeping. Student work is still conducted on paper when beneficial, as even my students express concern about the amount of time on screens. Within the wallet are cards that communicate with my banking institution. Several of the items provide text in two languages, both French and English.
An archeologist examining my bag would infer much about my existence. I may have lived in a time of sickness, as the mask suggests, and was quite interested in personal cleanliness. The sanitizer, toothpaste, and mints all point to an individual who values health, cleanliness, and freshness. The dual languages suggest connections with other parts of the world and a nation that incorporates a variety of citizens. The archeologist may find it interesting that my bag contains both advanced technology and manual, text-based items. Technology has not simply replaced communication requiring manual dexterity. There is no phone in the bag, which is the norm, and the bag often contains novels that are studied in class.
The narrative produced by the bag is, I believe, quite accurate in depicting my professional personality. There are no secrets in there, no overly surprising items, but just enough character to raise interesting conversation.
15-25 years ago this bag would simply not have contained the digital items – no computer, no adaptor, no charger, and no bank cards with tap technology. It would likely have contained more paper, and perhaps even more writing implements.
Ultimately an archeologist would characterize the world around this bag as a time of transition. Advanced and useable technology, and also manual text technologies that demonstrates the importance of both forms of tech. They work together and are equally embraced.
