Six million dollar man

Who could put a price on someone who can fix your PC?



A confession nearly all of my high school peers would make is that they wouldn’t be able to go a day without their precious computer/iPod/cell phone/whatever you people use in one day. Imagine going without MySpace, IM, or YouTube for a whole twenty-four hours. Pretty scary huh? Well my dear classmates, fortunately there is an answer; there is hope. And no, I’m not talking about the Geek Squad (will you turn off that TV?). Our own Mr. Bill Cavanaugh will guide you through the abyss of your computer. By the way, if you don’t know what “abyss” means maybe you should postpone going back to MySpace.





Rachel Montpelier:

Mr. Cavanaugh, what did you teach here before you became our “technology guru”?

Bill Cavanaugh: I taught math, calculus, pre-calc, and computer science. I was retired a year before I came back.

RM:

Which job do you find most interesting or fun to do?

BC:

I always liked teaching, but they’re both two very different jobs. I like both in different ways.

RM:

What exactly does your job entail?

BC:

I do all the ordering of equipment. I consult with teachers on technical needs. I am the technology consult. If teachers have questions, I look into it.

RM:

Do you think the current technological equipment is up to date? Why?

BC:

It’s getting much better; equipment is expensive, very expensive. You can’t buy it all at once. We have a plan and are following it to update classrooms. Our goal is to have projectors, computers and access to digital technology for every student and teacher.

RM:

What do you think we could do to improve the status of the equipment?

BC:

I think we’re doing what we can do to improve the equipment. We have goals and a budget plan and we’re following them. Every teacher’s room has been updated; the libraries will be next as well as business labs.

RM:

What brands of equipment do you think are the best for our school?

BC:

Well we go a lot on price. Only certain venders give a discount to schools, so we go with them.

RM:

Computers make a lot of people want to pull their hair out. Why is it so easy for you?

BC:

It’s not always easy, I don’t really know. You’ve got to be willing to play with things and not afraid to experiment with them.

RM:

Which department do you believe has the most up-to-date equipment?

BC:

Everybody’s pretty equal. At least that’s our goal. No department should have more than the others. The business department obviously has more because it’s taught on computers.

RM:

Were you always drawn to this stuff or did you discover you liked it?

BC:

I always played in a band. Maybe that’s where it’s from. My mother called me a “button-pusher”, so I guess I’ve always been like that.

RM:

And, how does it feel to be the superman of technology at our beloved school?

BC:

I wouldn’t call myself that. I hope I can help teachers and have what they need and always be in training.