I am writing this with great concern to our profession. While attending the Oswego Technology Conference last fall it became apparent that the enrollment was down compared to when I was there in the early 2000's. After talking with a few students my suspicions were confirmed. The enrollment was about 50% of what it used to be when I was there. I know that NYS schools have been reducing faculty with all the budgetary constraints that they have been under. My school has seen a roughly 20% reduction of staff over the last 5 years and I am sure that is true for other NYS schools. Fortunately most of those positions were absorbed by retirements. Many schools are now at the point that they can no longer cut teaching staff and need to replace those that retire. So what does this all mean, a big technology teacher shortage is on the way. The current graduation rate of certified technology teachers cannot meet the job openings that schools need to fill. This is great for those graduating but could be detrimental to us all.
Let me explain my thoughts. If schools continually cannot fill technology positions and not offer tech classes the state could relax or remove the mandate for technology completely. Ending the era of technology education and replacing it with who know what. The writing is on the wall and some of the damage has already begun. However we can reverse some of this damage by standing up for the T in STEM, being a member of your states technology association (NYSTEEA), taking the time to publicize your students work and how important technology education is, encouraging your students to become technology teachers. You can simple say to a student "I think you would make a great technology teacher, if you want to know more we can sit down and talk." You can have them visit both Buffalo State and Oswego State online and possibly take a select few on a field trip to the college. If every tech teacher encouraged a couple of students to look into becoming a tech teacher and only a small percentage of those actually fallow through with it, this shortage could be avoided. Please do your part.
Please share your thoughts by commenting below.
Let me explain my thoughts. If schools continually cannot fill technology positions and not offer tech classes the state could relax or remove the mandate for technology completely. Ending the era of technology education and replacing it with who know what. The writing is on the wall and some of the damage has already begun. However we can reverse some of this damage by standing up for the T in STEM, being a member of your states technology association (NYSTEEA), taking the time to publicize your students work and how important technology education is, encouraging your students to become technology teachers. You can simple say to a student "I think you would make a great technology teacher, if you want to know more we can sit down and talk." You can have them visit both Buffalo State and Oswego State online and possibly take a select few on a field trip to the college. If every tech teacher encouraged a couple of students to look into becoming a tech teacher and only a small percentage of those actually fallow through with it, this shortage could be avoided. Please do your part.
Please share your thoughts by commenting below.
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