Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 25, 1994 TAG: 9411250019
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
If a window is jammed or the floor is wet, call Eugene.
And if you can't figure out how to use WordPerfect 6.0, CD-ROM or the Internet, whom do you call?
Eugene.
From hardware to software, this hammer-toting, screwdriver-wielding janitor can tackle broken windows one minute, then teach the latest technology the next.
The folks at Christiansburg Elementary School say this is the luckiest school around.
"Our computer lab would not be up and running as successful as it is without Eugene's help," said Principal Janice Roback. "He stays late to help us, he comes in early and he helps out in-between his regular work."
With a countywide technology support staff of 10 people for 19 schools, Garlick, a self-taught computer guru, has become indispensable at Christiansburg. Recently the school acquired a new CD-ROM computer with multimedia capabilities. The computer looked great sitting on the table, but no one knew how to operate it.
No one except Garlick, who conducted morning in-service training for a week to help teachers get acquainted with the new system - all the while, keeping the school spick-and-span.
"I just try to pitch in wherever I can," said a modest Garlick. "It's all part of my job and I have a lot of fun with it."
Playing with computers gets the teachers hooked, too, "like the smell of a new car," Garlick said. "Now they all want one in their classes."
Garlick always hated school - so much so that he dropped out in ninth grade after moving from Roanoke to Christiansburg.
"It was a hard transition and I had a real hard time with rules," said Garlick, now 34 and the father of two girls. "But the lucky ones get wiser as they get older. I guess I got wiser."
Garlick later earned his GED, got married and started a family. He's been a custodian with Montgomery County public schools for 14 years and for the last few, he's been dabbling in computers. He owns two home computers.
"I've always liked to take things apart," Garlick said. "Mrs. Roback says I should go into computers as my line of work, but I don't know if I'd have fun doing it eight hours a day. The way it is now, I just like to play around with it."
Garlick does more than play around. He maneuvers through the information highway like a race-car driver, designing video games and conversing with people from around the globe. He's on-line with the Blacksburg Electronic Village, as well as Virginia Pen, an educational information network.
"He's a multidimensional person," said Butch Morris, instructional supervisor who oversees all computer maintenance in Christiansburg. "Did he tell you he also raises exotic birds?"
Roback said she discovered Garlick's computer prowess soon after she transferred to the school last year. Garlick helped her install her office computer and explained the functions of the new machine.
"Technology is not my thing," Roback said. "It is Eugene's thing. This is a clear example that you have to find people's strengths and build on them. Everyone has strengths."
Children also benefit from Garlick's expertise.
"Mr. Garlick can operate the computers so well, but then again, he's such a good janitor," said 9-year-old Gabrielle Davis. "He's always nice to people and giving them a smile. I think it's neat that he teaches computers because I know teachers can learn as much as students can."
Fourth-grader Brandon Guthrie looks up to Garlick "because he can fix anything," he said. "The CD-ROM computer wouldn't work, so Mr. Garlick fixed it for me."
Roback calls her school a "community of learners," which includes cafeteria workers, custodians, teachers and administrators.
"We're all teachers here - we're always on and we're always models for the children," Roback said. "It's not just teachers and professors who use technology anymore - everybody uses it and it goes across occupations now."
And who knows, said Garlick:
"This may interest some kid to stay in school."
by CNB