Mrs. Shields: saving more than just Chromebooks
By Sadie Woollard
Photo of Cambry Shields taken by Sadie Woollard
Cambry Shields is a beloved member of the Owasso High School staff. Shields is OHS’s designated expert for all things Chromebook. She has seen it all and heard numerous excuses about damaged Chromebooks like “My dog chewed my chromebook.” Shields is also a photographer and has done countless photos for OHS. She loves technology but her job is much more than just fixing broken screens.
Shields started working with Chromebooks 10 years ago after she studied Technology at Tulsa Tech in highschool. She was the first and only Chromebook Tech at OHS. Throughout this time, she has become skilled with the programs provided to her.
“We have a program called Destiny, just like the library has, where we check out the devices in there and that basically keeps [track of] our devices,” Shields explained.
Shields has found various ways that her skills can improve OHS. She has been doing photography for 12 years and it has become a vital part of Shields’ life as a mom and school staff member.
“Photography for me is stopping moments in time. Time moves so fast and especially when you have kids. It's fascinating to me to be able to stop milliseconds of time,” Shields smiled.
She added that when she is photographing at OHS she enjoys taking pictures of her kids that do sports. Outside of school her favorite things she has photographed are childbirth and seniors.
Shields has a strong maternal instinct that cares about OHS students feeling safe at school.
“I love what I do because I get to see all 3000 kids. All of the kids need a different little piece of me. Some need me to be a mom and need me to kinda coach 'em up, some need me to be a jerk a little bit because they dont have so much of a jerk at home, some need lunch money, some need encouragement … That's my favorite part about my job. It's not even about the Chromebooks, it's about helping all the kids and watching them become the best person that they can become for them.”
Shields has big responsibilities with several thousand Chromebooks to repair, hand out and replace. Despite the heavy load, she takes it on happily for all of her students at OHS.
“The hardest part about my job is I want to save everybody … Sometimes, especially the freshmen and sophomores, it's hard for me to realize I can't save them from themselves … I just want to love and hold and hug and be a momma to every single person,” Shields said.
Shields has cultivated a place in the school where all students are welcome. Whether an OHS kid needs a Chromebook repaired or a word of encouragement, she goes above and beyond to give students what they need.