I”m a technology teacher in New Jersey (if that doesn’t sum up this post, try starting with a Google Search for NJ Education). The school budget for the district in which I work was defeated by about 40 votes. The town council announced it would not pass the budget submitted by the school board because it would raise local taxes too much. Additionally Governor Christie has made deep cuts to our state aid, so we are now millions of dollars in the hole.
I received a letter on Friday announcing that my position had been “abolished” and I was being “involuntarily transferred” to another position. (I’m a tenured teacher, so I will be most likely placed in a classroom position. Many of my non-tenured and newer colleagues were not as lucky.) I am so very thankful that I have a position and plan to make the most of it. I was in a classroom for 4 years before I became the tech. lab teacher. I know I will be fine, and the students I teach will hopefully benefit from my experience.
UPDATE (5/19/10): A budget compromise was reached and I will continue to work in the computer lab. Happy Days!
I know why the technology program was cut. Technology is a “special”. When the students visit my lab each week, the teacher stays in the lab to give me a hand with questions and to hopefully pick up some skills they in turn will use with their students when they aren’t in the lab. Is it an ideal situation? Of course not. But it is, what it is… and my class is NOT a prep for teachers. Art, Music, and Phys. Ed. have a layer of protection because they currently serve as contractual prep time for the classroom teachers. The technology program was cut (not because it was outdated or poorly implemented or under-funded) because after cutting entirely too many classroom teachers, there was no one else to cut.
Currently, our technology teachers also serve as technology coaches for staff and first responders to troubleshooting. There are millions of dollars worth of technology in our schools, and next year there won’t be a point person in any of the buildings to handle issues…. because technology is still considered “special”. Our district technology spending was never organized into a solid plan. We spent lots of money on technology “stuff”, without spending time and money on PD for seemless integration. So if we had been aiming towards seemless integration, my position would probably look a lot different anyway. I would be co-planning and co-teaching in the classrooms. I’d be running many PD sessions. I’d be working more closely with the curriculum department. My position would be less… dispensable.
Why can’t technology be so everyday that we couldn’t imagine cutting the program?
Technology is Special
Unfortunately, this situation is not unique to my district. My heart goes out to teachers all over the state who are learning that they will not have a job in September. I’ve been hearing that in this district, there’s still a glimmer of hope that the letters we received will be retracted. I’ll believe it when I see it.
It is still shocking to me that technology is not considered important in education. Wow, what planet are these people on?????
I’m sorry to hear that they cut your position, but I’m looking forward to hearing how you use your knowledge of and skills with technology in the classroom!
Thanks for the comment, Lisa. I just added an update to my post: my job has been restored! I don’t think I’ll be able to say the same for the technology budget, however. I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to continue with my position. Still fighting the good fight.