John Zeigler, Technology Resource Teacher
  Sam Kirkland, Microcomputer Specialist

John Zeigler, Technology Resource Teacher

As a second-year veteran of the Office of Educational Technology, John divides his responsibilities between Southern and Beaumont Middle Schools. His first TRT job was full time at Southern...but his career arrived at educational technology after travels down a sometimes-winding professional path.

That path began in Toledo, home to the Mud Hens, and Klinger on M*A*S*H. Although John studied education at the University of Toledo, a call from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization propelled him into a career as a minor league trainer, which involved caring for the players' laundry as well as their health, becoming "...a master at getting out red Georgian clay stains and folding clothes for twenty-eight people."

John's first involvement with Kentucky was from behind the wheel of a minivan, driving more than 1000 miles a week pursuing a business selling physical therapy equipment across Kentucky, and later Nashville as well. His wife, Ann, a physical therapist, met John on a blind date for his thirtieth birthday. And, with health care reforms looming, he decided it was time to return to his first love, teaching. He added a Middle School Social Studies endorsement from UK to his teaching certificate, teaching that subject for three years at Bryan Station Middle before moving to his TRT position at Southern Middle.

John and Ann are blessed with two beautiful daughters, Meghan a sixth grader at Beaumont and Sarah who is in fourth grade at Rosa Parks.

Sam Kirkland, Microcomputer Specialist

Sam is a native Lexingtonian, graduating from Henry Clay High School, and adding a Microcomputer Specialist degree from Central Kentucky Technical College. His work experiences include seven years with Grogan's HealthCare as a Rehab Technology, where he built custom seating and made modifications to wheelchairs. That line of work, but with much more responsibilities (ordering parts, deliveries, etc.) continued at national Seating and Mobility.

After that, Mr. Kirkland spent a a few years as a stay-at-home dad, volunteering at the Office of Instructional Technology at Fayette County when his daughter started pre-school. That office eventually hired him full time in September as a Microcomputer Specialist. His responsibilities include installing hardware and software, including upgrades, phone support to users, LAN management, and recommending software and hardware solutions for schools. His responsibilities include Johnson, Mary Todd, Cardinal Valley, and Millcreek Elementary Schools, Leestown Middle School, Southside Technical Center, and Martin Luther King Academy.

When not at work, Sam is interested in hunting and fishing. He and his wife of 11 years, three children, and two cats live in Lexington.