CTE Worth....

Why are some school systems all ways threatening to cut CTE programs, it is as if we are not a significant part of the education system. If CTE is not significant, why invest thousands of dollars in state of the art buildings and labs. Why invest all that money into supplies and equipment and than question if a CTE program is going to survive – this does not make ANY sense to me.

CTE has been in school systems for many years. CTE is a true outlet for some students – a break from the normal school setting. All students are not college prep, so why not teach those students a valuable trade that they can make a livable wage.

Breathing Again...

It is Friday. I am working on my last two blogs for the term. WOW, what a feeling. NTI (New Teacher Institute) went by very fast for me, seems as if we just started. This passed summer, when I started NTI, I felt as if I was holding my breath. I really did not know what to expect after being out of school for so long, but everything was wonderful, new, fresh, and fun! The instructors could not have done a better job. But now, it is time to exhale. I strongly recommend Georgia State University NTI to any new teacher in Trade and Industry.

New Teacher Salery

My AP (Assistant Principal) told me last year that statistics showed that 70% of all first year teachers work two jobs to maintain their standard of living. These new teachers have invested four years of their life in the education to become a teacher. But, after dealing with students all day they have to go out and work a second job because they can not pay their expenses. WOW – what an unjust! Something is truly wrong with the teacher’s pay scale.

There should be some incentive for one to three year teachers to help them focus on teaching students, instead of “can I pay my bills this month”.

R and R....

It has been a restful week for me! I was able to disconnect totally from teaching and do things I love. Sometimes it is hard to focus on enjoying your life when you are exalted from dealing with students all day. But, it is Friday and I know I have to do my lesson plans for next week and get mentally and emotionally prepared for my students. We only have two months to go before the close of the school term – YES!!

Reflecting back on the 2006-07 school year, I can say it was a good year for me. One thing I learned early is that you have to go to bed on time and get your rest or you want have the energy to deal with your students. I have decided to keep my mind on the end of the school term and move forward!!

New Equipment

Does anyone have any ideas on what method to use in approaching central office to secure new equipment or software for your lab? I gathered quotes from venders on computer memory upgrades and SolidWorks engineering modeling software, which is state of the art, but designed for high school students. This information was submitted to central office in August 2006. Central office replied “this is good information; we will consider this”. That was the last I heard about the equipment. My concern is that I have 24 students going to my third level mechanical and electrical system class, but I do not have any courseware for the class.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions on this matter, please blog. Help! Help!

GACE....Two Thumbs Up!!

March 17, 2007 I took the math portion of the GACE assessment for new teacher. Compared to the PRAXIS series, GACE is a much better assessment of basic skills required for new teachers. The test was straight forward and no trickery of questions. All the questions were math you had seen and used before. Twice I have taken the Praxis (all three basic assessments) and I only passed the math portion. In my opinion, the Praxis Series was not trying to assess new teachers, instead, Praxis was used as a money making tool for the company.

Most people that I talked with who were trying to become teachers had taken the Praxis Series I or II, three or four times, at $115.00 for one test or all three sections. Do the math; this is expensive for a new teacher. The GACE series is only $25.00 per test which is very reasonable compared to the PRAXIS SERIES. I am happy Georgia changed to the GACE. I am confident I passed the test on the very first try!

Technology Student Association!!

TSA (Technology Student Association) State Convention and Competition is coming up next month. I have to be at school on Saturdays for Four hours so my students can complete their projects for this event. Saturdays seem to be the only time I could get all my students competing in state competition together. CTSO (Career Technology Student Organizations) consumes a lot of my time. Getting the students to pay their fees and dues before the deadline is always stressful.

My students love to come to the Saturday workshop; they are all excited about their projects. The workshop is also a wonderful time of bonding for my kids which is really important when building a CTSO. I am really hoping some of my kids bring back trophies from their events. WISH US WELL….

A Teacher's Worth...

Salary is one of the most important features of any job. How can a school system in a metropolitan area justify paying their starting teachers $3,000 less per school year than other neighboring school systems? Not having completed certification is not a factor with regards to starting salaries in the higher paying school systems. Why am I not appreciated and rewarded by my school system by being paid at least the base starting salary?

Recently, 1 to 3 year new teachers in my school system received a $3,700 increase in salary. This reward was not passed on to those of us who have not completed our certification. Being under paid, overworked, and generally not appreciated starts the teacher burnout process early in the game.

Future Generations…….??

Why do some students appear not to be interested in their future? They do not understand that by not completing their classroom work they really do not have a positive future. The apathy of some students can cause a teacher to question their worth? Most students do not understand the importance of education and how education can change what may become a gloomy future into one that is rewarding and bright. They do not seem to understand that America was not designed for the high school graduate to be financially able to take care of self and a family. Additional education or training above the high school level is necessary in order to move into a higher income level and enjoy a life of financial stability.

There are some students that understand this fact very well. They strive every day for excellence in the classroom and in their personal life. They are focused on graduating and starting a career for themselves. They understand that graduation from high school is only the first step. Having student like this is encouraging and heart warming to me. I tell those students, “I wish I had more students like you”.

Spending my money

Spending my own money for school supplies or equipment seems to be a weekly occurrence for me. That does not include the cost of gas to pick up the supplies. In my opinion, teachers do not get paid enough as it is. Purchasing additional supplies puts you deeper in the hole. Thank goodness for the federal tax break, but more needs to be done to address this situation.

Students come to class too often unprepared, not having paper or pencil; it gets old quick telling them to bring their supplies, so I provide them. Is coming to class without supplies an intentional act? Intentional or not, they end up with supplies to complete their work. Relief for this situation really needs to be addressed on a national level.

Career Tech

Why do some school systems have great career technology programs and state of the art facilities, while not supporting them? It is my understanding that career technology teachers are responsible for bringing students in to their program, but guidance counselors are responsible for registration of the students.

We are being told our programs will be cut if we do not have enough students in our
classes. Based on this information perhaps career technology teachers should be responsible for class registration or actively involved in the process.

In my opinion this is not a fair policy because career technology teachers are being held responsible for student recruitment when they have no direct or indirect control over student placement. . This sounds like a true contradiction to me.

Life in the Fast Lane

Wow, I start teaching in one week! I do not know how to teach, but teacher orientation starts tomorrow according to a conversation with my assistant principal. I am so excited about having the opportunity to teach thirsty young minds. Orientation should give me the skills that I need to be a successful teacher. Anticipation is the mother of disappointment.

Orientation lasted 5 days, of which a total of 10 hours were used to give me the skills that I needed to become a first class teacher. I felt prepared, excited, and looking forward to my first day of teaching. HA! HA! The kids tarred and feathered me the very first day. After a week of being tarred and feathered I figured that something was WRONG! I started to discuss my situation with veteran teachers at my school and realized that I needed to assess and refine my teaching skills. Those veteran teachers became my mentors, teaching me how to teach. I incorporated what they taught me into my daily routine. Overtime my teaching skills developed and matured.

Now I tar and feather the students. I am a successful second year teacher with exceptional classroom management skills, so I am told by my assistant principal.