Staff Highlight: Thomas Dixon
“Now, more than ever, the disparity between those with access to technology devices, internet, and training and those without this access is magnified in education, economics, healthcare, and more.”
Name, Position, and How long have you been working at IUATL?
Thomas Dixon, Training Specialist, and I started working at Inspiredu in June 2021
What are your day-to-day job functions?
I work part-time, so my day-to-day responsibilities are primarily facilitating learning in the different programs we offer to support our customers in developing educational and career skills through technology tools and workshops. I also consider connecting with the learners, in a way that encourages them and gives them confidence, to be an important part of my day-to-day responsibilities. That connection begins in the class and continues with any follow ups post-training.
What motivates you to work for a nonprofit?
For me, profit or nonprofit is simply about the legal organization of the entity. It doesn’t change the way I go about serving the people or the organization. I was raised with this simple philosophy, “It’s about seeing the value in others and adding value to them and their lives so they will be able to add value to the lives of others.”
Why is working on bridging the digital divide important?
This is certainly a question that an entire dissertation could be written about. But what comes to my mind first is that this is about tapping into human potential. The potential in many of us isn’t being utilized or is being underutilized because certain segments of our population are on the wrong side of the divide. Now, more than ever, the disparity between those with access to technology devices, internet, and training and those without this access is magnified in education, economics, healthcare, and more.
So, although Martin Luther King wasn’t talking specifically about the digital divide, his quote rings true in this area as well. He said, “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” In some way, small or large, we all must keep moving forward in our assault on the digital divide so we can unleash all this untapped potential.
Any stories you want to share about your education journey?
Well, I’m a bit more mature than many in this space. Technology had not made its stamp on life quite the way it is doing today when I was growing up. I was educated in rural NC. I attended a HBCU, Shaw University, later graduating from Texas Lutheran University. My first exposure to computers was in the Air Force in 1986. It sounds crazy now, but at the time I was an aircraft maintenance manager and I thought it was a waste of time for me to learn how to use a computer.
Fast forward to 1993 I bought my first PC. By now I was fascinated with the computer and saw that the potential was going to be exponential. I pushed my kids to learn and use it and modeled that expectation in front of them. I’ve continued to learn more ever since then, teaching myself HTML, getting my A+ certification and certifications in web development and networking in early 2001. And though I never pursued a career in computer technology per se, my understanding helped me in a myriad of ways to add value to others in both volunteer and work-related experiences. I love learning new skills; but more than that, I love helping others grow in their skills and confidence.
Anything you'd like to add?
Thanks for the honor of being spotlighted for doing what I love to do! That's all.