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20 Questions with Lisa Deo
“I did a twisty, turny roundabout to get here,” said
Upper School Technologist Lisa Deo about coming in for a landing
at BFS one year ago. “I was in theatre for ten years, then
3-D animation and web design,” said the effusive former theater
director. She then decided to try her hand at real estate while substitute
teaching at BFS. She completed the real estate coursework, obtained
a license, was just about to start, “and was dreading it,” when
she got the call about the position here. “They saved me in
the nick of time.”
1. What’s a technologist?
Upper School Technologist, otherwise
known as a technology integrator. The idea is we integrate technology
into the curriculum. We work with faculty on ideas they might have
on class projects involving technology in the classroom. We also
do troubleshooting and training.
2. Anything new at the school in terms of technology?
Eduvo is new
this year. It’s like Facebook for school. It
has students’ assignments, there’s an events calendar,
they can upload homework.
3. Is it going over well or do the kids think it’s
lame?
The Upper School kids at first were like, we’re already on
Facebook, we already do this stuff, why do we need to socialize on
Eduvo? But for homework management the response has been better.
The Middle School really took to it right away. It lets them express
themselves and express their identities online. They’re funny
though, they’ll start their own exclusive groups and administer
them.
4. They went straight to trying to hack the system?
We had to shut down their admin rights and make sure a teacher
is involved in any new groups they create.
5. Is there a link between all of this and your theater background?
Absolutely.
There’s a crossover between theater and everything.
I’ve talked to my mother about this, she’ll say, you
went to grad school for three years to be a director!?’ But
I learned a lot about managing people, about working under intense
stress, dealing with egos. It’s also about reading people and
learning to collaborate with them. You have to constantly be in collaboration
mode.
6. What’s your favorite part of being a technology
integrator?
I love being called a genius for showing someone
how to press a button. Seriously, I really like people and being in
the community.
7. What’s the worst part?
On a technical
level when you think a problem is going to take five steps and you
get to the twenty-fifth step and nothing’s
working, and someone’s standing in your office waiting for
you to fix it. Also grading. I didn’t have to grade in theater.
8. You teach too?
Yes, I taught public speaking in the fall and digital media production
this semester, both in the Upper School.
9. What do you like to do when you’re not busting
heads at BFS?
Wishing I had more time off. I see a play once
in a blue moon. I play guitar, I write songs. I just got an acoustic
bass, too. I also paint, I don’t know what I’m doing
though.
10. You write songs and play guitar. Is this a secret bedroom hobby
or something you do in public?
In public. Once in awhile my friends and I form a band.
11. Watch out. People here are going to come for you.
I
know, someone’s already come to me about starting a staff
band.
12. What’s your family like?
Two older brothers. Italian. That says it all.
13. Got it. And where is this?
Warren, New Jersey,
that’s where I grew up. My oldest brother
has three gorgeous girls. They’re incredibly tech savvy. They
have Webkinz and online Barbie. The 7 year old is incredibly tech
savvy. They went to Disneyworld and she wanted to borrow my laptop
because if she didn’t check in with online Barbie, Barbie was
going to lose her job.
14. Favorite New York City restaurant?
Friend House
in Manhattan. It’s in my neighborhood. It’s
the one to go to for sushi. I’m not a big sushi eater but I
love this place.
15. Desert island question. What three things?
Can I say my cat?
16. Um, well, why not if we don’t mind calling your cat a
thing. Let’s call it a thing so you can take it.
I’m going to exclude technology because that’s too
many accessories, so I would have to say a guitar. And I’ll
say paper and pen because I have to write or I’ll go insane,
and a fishing pole. I like to fish.
17. This is too many things. Cat, guitar, pen, paper, fishing
pole. What’s your sign?
Leo.
18. Should have guessed. Do you think you fit the profile? Fire
sign, extroverted, strong-willed.
Yes. Most definitely.
19. What’s your cat’s name?
Oh no,
that’s the worst question you could ask. Her official
name is The Lady Bunny Fairbanks III. But I just call her Babygirl
or Princess or Sweetpea, she answers to all three. My friends ask
what’s your cat’s name and I say whatever you want, just
say it in a sweet voice and she’ll respond.
20. What’s one thing that’s always in your
fridge?
Water, eggs, barbecue sauce.
Okay, see, that’s three—oh, never mind.
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