Entry for October 11th 2008

Since it has been some time since the last update, I decided it was time to update everybody on what has been going on.
To start with, LeAnn has been working and working and working. She has been running herself ragged working her normal 3 shifts. She had call last week and ended up working 4 straight shifts. It was hard on her, but she accomplished it. She is still working in the NICU and is enjoying it immensely.
As for me, I have interviewed with TUSD and Pima County. 2 weeks after I interviewed with TUSD, they offered me the job. The assistant principal worked on Sunday to get my references checked. I ended up telling him that I would have to wait until the following Monday to start, due to the Pima County interview. I went to the interview and they never called me back (after saying that they would call me the following Monday, when I was supposed to start for TUSD). After not hearing from Pima County, I went to new employee orientation and spent 3 hours in a freezing cold room filling out paperwork. I actually started on Tuesday.My first day on the job was busy. I met so many people, I don't remember most of their names, but I remember most of their faces. There are approximately 70 teachers at Rincon High School, which is where I am assigned as the School Site Network Technician. The first thing that happened as I got there was the server for the school went down. Since we can't access the server, we had to call the district technician to fix the problem (even though most of our problems can be fixed by us). A couple of hours later, everything was back online and our day continued (I work with another site technician for University High School, because we have 2 schools based at our site). Many teachers asked for help, and we were more than willing to help them. I had so much fun, I walked out of there with a huge smile.
The next day was much of the same. I was running around the school helping everybody. I was so busy, I didn't have time for lunch.
Thursday was the same.
Friday had no school. It was a grading day. However, we started with a meeting and I was introduced to the staff that was there. I also had the task of setting up my classroom/lab. Due to unfortunate circumstances, the lab didn't get set up. The lab consists of 1 side containing 30 computers(soon to be 32 or more), with a station for me and the teacher, and a second side containing 28 computers (soon to be 30 or more). I have a semi-large desk with a table on one side hooked up to a scanner and network printer. I also have taken control of LeAnn's PDA and am using it constantly. It helps me to keep track of everything going on, including email (which I am getting a lot of). If I can get permission from my supervisor, I am going to set up some servers to help with the networking classes and aid the school with email capabilities.
I am also looking at grant opportunities to update and expand the lab. I plan on (with enough money) to upgrade the entire lab and place computers in several classrooms, all networked. I am also asking my supervisor for more equipment, desks and chairs, so that I can accommodate more student in the lab and larger classes (the largest class I have is around 35). I am also planning on opening the lab during lunch with a pass and before and after school with a pass (as I am available). In the past, students would just walk in and use the lab. This is changing. The teachers and staff have been extremely helpful and very easy to work with. I also have 2 interns that are going to help me this year (one is going to do nothing other than the website, while the other is staying with the other site tech till the end of the semester unless I need him).
I am extremely happy to have a job once again. My normal hours are 7:00 to 3:30, which means that I get up at around 5 to leave at 6 to get there at about 7. Rincon is located at 5th and Swan, so it is about a 45 minute drive in the afternoon and less in the morning (no traffic). I am so happy, that I have been working from home at nights trying to answer emails and get simple things done (such as updating the website). LeAnn gets a little upset at me doing this, but understands. She is so sweet and understanding.
I think that this will be it for this update. I hope to hear from everybody soon and everthing is good where you are at.
David