This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
It's definitely not easy!!!
One thing I would like to elaborate on is just how difficult it is to actually run an effective CTAE program. A lot of people and some of my collegues don't really know what it's like to work in a career that was not teaching, switch careers and then teach. When someone asks me, "Could you put together a small piece for me in two or three days?" Yes, I'll take out my magic camera, call my 24-hour on-call editor, and unlimited hours in the day wish genie and I'll be glad to do it for you. It's not that easy!!! It takes time to do something like that and I wish that people understand me when I say in order for me or some of my students to do a project right, it takes a thorough planning process!!!
Something I would change about CTAE courses is the amount of students that are placed in my classes. I can honestly say it's a blessing and a curse. The fact that my classes are full is job security, however when there's over 30 kids in my classes, it's hard to focus on certain kids even though they need the extra attention. Although the high numbers are great, I wish that there was a more thorough selection process for the level two and three students because honestly, some of the kids don't belong in level one or two classes. I would rather have 15 students students who are actually interested in Audio and Video, than 30 who don't want anything to do with broadcasting. Other than the factors listed above, teaching CTAE classes are great, we're all going to have our ups and downs, it's just a matter of how we handle them.
Mark-
ReplyDeleteI completely understand where you are coming from. I have students that showed up in my third level course which is being offered for the first time this year that haven't had my first or second course. So that is making it extremely difficult because they don't all have the same knowledge base. However, it is much more manageable because I only have 12 in that class, compared to 30 in the others. I can see how someone could be much more productive in a small setting. Growing a program takes time, but it is frustrating when there are outside factors that you can't control.
JT
I completely understand your issues with people wanting you to magically make them a video. My other "favorite" request is when they send a student to come find me because their SMARTboard isn't working, or they can't change the channel on their television. I teach CHILDREN how to use cameras. I am not a television repair person! haha
ReplyDeleteAlso, is it possible for you to work closely with guidance or your supervisor to select your level 2 and 3 students? My higher level kids produce the morning announcement show, so I use that as an excuse (for lack of a better word) to let administration know that I need to select my "team".