Alan Gayton: Technology Director, Sci-Fi Enthusiast, and Barbecue Competitor. This is episode 628 of Teaching Learning Leading K12, an audio podcast.

Alan Gayton is a 51-year-old IT geek who has been playing with computers since he was a kid stealing software on a Commodore 64. He started his career as the first Technology Specialist for Gordon County Schools, where he had the dubious honor of fixing the computers and switches that always broke down. He then became an Instructional Technology Specialist, where he had to deal with endless questions such as “What does ‘click here’ mean?” He is now the Director of Technology for the North Georgia RESA, where he has the daunting task of managing the technology needs and issues of the RESA and its 5-member school districts.

When he is not glued to his screen or phone, Alan likes to pretend that he is a pitmaster and a martial arts expert. He competes in competition BBQ as one half of team Q-Inator!, which is a clever name that he came up with after watching too much Phineas and Ferb. He and his partner have won some trophies and ribbons in various categories, but they are still far from being the best of the best. Alan also practices karate, which he learned from watching Karate Kid and Cobra Kai. He has a black belt, which he bought online (or maybe earned at UKS Karate), and he likes to show off his moves to anyone who will watch.

Alan is always willing to help or teach someone something new, as long as they don’t ask too many questions or challenge his authority. He is a proud father of two children who are smarter and more talented than him, and a loyal husband to his wife who puts up with his antics. He lives in Calhoun, Georgia, where he enjoys the fresh air and the peaceful surroundings.

Alan's Brunswick Stew Recipe

MEAT:

½ lb smoked pork

½ lb smoked beef

½ lb smoked chicken

OR

1 can Castleberry BBQ Pork

1 can Castleberry BBQ Beef

! lrg can Chunk Chicken

2 cans cream corn

2 cans petite diced tomatoes

1 bottle Chili sauce

¼ cup favorite bbq sauce (more or less to taste)

Hot sauce to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all in crock pot and cook on high for around 4 hours or on low for around 8.

A few notes:

• Meat

• To get it to turn out more like mine, you will need to use smoked meat and run it through a grinder with a large-holed plate. It will still be great if you don’t, but it does give it that more authentic texture

Awesome conversation!

Had so much fun!

Enjoy it!

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Length - 51:04