Where to put the X

I get asked, every now and then, what I do. It is a legitimate question that had no easy or short answer until now. I am the guy that knows where to put the X.
OK, what does that mean? It actually is the punch line to a short story about an engineer. He worked for a large company helping to develop a complex matrix of computers. In our troubled times he was forced to take an early retirement and let the company under less than agreeable circumstances. Financially he was solid and looked forward to spending his time working on things that interested him. Six months later the company called. The matrix of computer wasn’t working right and they had millions of dollars of equipment idling while others tried to troubleshoot the problem. Would he come in and help? The engineer agreed. He showed up and spent half a day looking and peering and testing. Finally he took a piece of chalk and marked an X on a board and said replace this.
The following day the company got a bill for $50,000 from the engineer. Accounting was aghast and asked for an itemized bill. The engineer sent this back: $1.00 for marking the X; $49,999 for knowing where to put it.
That is what I do and most of the people I work with do. We are problem-solvers and trouble-shooters. Our big pay off is the appreciation of the people we serve. I have been called a computer whisperer, a tech guru, and a computer genuis, all which probably don’t apply well. What I do have is enough knowledge and skills to put the X in the right spot most of the time.
Working in technology staff development is all about putting ourselves out of a job. We want to help the rest of the people acquire the knowledge and skills to make the Xs and to share that knowledge and those skills with the new teachers that show up every year. I started my 10 year plan today and hope that 10 years from there will be no need for any more staff development. That also coincides with my retirement date.
Our jobs are important. While not easy to describe, the services we provide staff and students are essential for moving education into the 21st century. When things pile up and nerves are frayed, remember that’s only because we know where to put the X.