Technology Teachers (o. specialists) stuck with Yearbook

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Technology Teachers (o. specialists) stuck with Yearbook

by zipdrive

Oct 17, 2009

Hello All!

I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from other technology teachers or specialists here in Virginia in regards to a certain issue I am dealing with. I am a traveling technology teacher and split my time between 3 schools each nearly 45 minutes apart. I am lucky that I am at each school for the full day and do not have to drive from one to the next during a single day. Two of my principals want me to do the yearbook, they tell me this is the "technology teacher's" job at their school. NO it is not the technology teacher's job (or any other specialist for that matter) and secondly last year I was not required to do it at my school (same county). My director told me that only my "home" school can issue the yearbook job to me. I have done a yearbook a few years ago for the same county at a different school and the amount of time and dedication it took was so overwhelming that I vowed I would never do it again. I don't want to do it and my "home" school principal s...See MoreHello All!

I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from other technology teachers or specialists here in Virginia in regards to a certain issue I am dealing with. I am a traveling technology teacher and split my time between 3 schools each nearly 45 minutes apart. I am lucky that I am at each school for the full day and do not have to drive from one to the next during a single day. Two of my principals want me to do the yearbook, they tell me this is the "technology teacher's" job at their school. NO it is not the technology teacher's job (or any other specialist for that matter) and secondly last year I was not required to do it at my school (same county). My director told me that only my "home" school can issue the yearbook job to me. I have done a yearbook a few years ago for the same county at a different school and the amount of time and dedication it took was so overwhelming that I vowed I would never do it again. I don't want to do it and my "home" school principal said it was required of all technology teachers that worked at that school. I am not even there "full" time and do not feel it is my job. How many of you have been told that you are "required" to do this? Much of it ends up done outsied of school hours without compensation. The company we use is Lifetouch and though you are able to "do it at home" online, I cannot because I do not have adequate internet connection to maintain the connection needed for uploading and I am certainly not going to upgrade my internet connection at my cost to make a darn yearbook! I have heard that other specialists get stuck with it too, especially art teachers and librarians. This is not fair and actually quite demeaning. Our programs require the same amount of effort to teach and plan for as a regular classroom teachers (who get to be at their schools ALL DAY) and yet they are not required to make yearbooks. If any principals read this, maybe it will make you consider other options! Thanks My vent is over! I'd be interesting in seeing how many other technology teacher's or specialists get shafted with this!

Thanks!

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About time! I agree, "Blackout." They are rarely in the classroom, but their aides are in there more often, yet they get paid much less. Go figure. TRT stands for "Technology Resource Teacher," so are they supposed to "teach me how to find resources?" The word "teacher" is in the name, so shouldn't they TEACH the students? I know that they do in other counties...See MoreI agree, "Blackout." They are rarely in the classroom, but their aides are in there more often, yet they get paid much less. Go figure. TRT stands for "Technology Resource Teacher," so are they supposed to "teach me how to find resources?" The word "teacher" is in the name, so shouldn't they TEACH the students? I know that they do in other counties!

On 10/18/09, Fed Up wrote: > On 10/18/09, Blackout wrote: Please, give me a break...When the TRT has > more planning time than a teacher, there is a problem. They do very > little and everyone knows it!

>> Your post clearly indicates that you have no clue as to what the role >> of the TRT is in Loudoun. There position, by design, is staff >> development. They are to help you, the teacher, use the vast >> technical resources available to you to integrate them into your >> instruction. 80-90% of their time is to be spent working with you to >> achieve that goal if you are not taking advantage of this valuable >> resource, than shame on you. >> >> On 10/18/09, About time! wrote: >>> I didn't realize that you weren't in Loudoun, and since you aren't, >>> and since you actually teach (like those in Loudoun should be >>> doing), my posting doesn't pertain to you and those in your >>> county). Which one are you in, if you can share? You are >>> experiencing what those of us in Loudoun are going through. >>> >>> When I started, 10 years ago, we didn't have to do half as much as >>> I am doing now. I don't mind doing extra things that are >>> meaningful, but when I can't concentrate on my subjects, or wish to >>> do extra to enhance my subject area because I am doing all of these >>> non-essential "extra items," (teaching technology, teaching Health, >>> acting as secretary, and everything else), that's where I get >>> upset. Like my post says, the majority of our "TRTs" don't do half >>> of what you are doing, and they should be teaching like you are. I >>> retract my earlier comment and "thank" YOU for working hard! >>> >>> >>> On 10/18/09, Zipdrive wrote: >>>> Well thank you ABOUT TIME for your support! A glorified >>>> babysitter! Nice! NO! I am not in Loudoun and no I do not have >>>> an assistant, and secondly I have to teach typing to fourth and >>>> fifth graders as well as how to use the computer to all grade >>>> levels including kindergarten. >>>> >>>> I guess the Loudoun Techs have it made then don't they?! In your >>>> school system I bet all your specialists get bogged down with >>>> this type of crap because of teachers like you who think of >>>> specialists as "glorified babysitters" as you so eloquently put >>>> it. thank you again! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On 10/18/09, About time! wrote: >>>>> To the principal who is making you actually work - THANK YOU! >>>>> I don't know what county you are in, but in Loudoun, they are >>>>> glorified babysitters and get paid nicely to no nothing, >>>>> except check their e-mails, go on eBay, or sit in >>>>> their "offices" while their aids do all of the work. >>>>> >>>>> Also, technology "teachers" need to, well, TEACH! It's not >>>>> the job of the aid, and with teachers already having >>>>> overflowing plates, classroom teachers shouldn't have to >>>>> teach technology. Loudoun, if you're looking for a way to >>>>> save money, then make your TRTs actually T-E-A-C-H! >>>>> >>>>> It's about time someone make the TRTs actually do something! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 10/17/09, zipdrive wrote: >>>>>> Hello All! >>>>>> >>>>>> I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from other >>>>>> technology teachers or specialists here in Virginia in >>>>>> regards to a certain issue I am dealing with. I am a >>>>>> traveling technology teacher and split my time between 3 >>>>>> schools each nearly 45 minutes apart. I am lucky that I am >>>>>> at each school for the full day and do not have to drive >>>>>> from one to the next during a single day. Two of my >>>>>> principals want me to do the yearbook, they tell me this is >>>>>> the "technology teacher's" job at their school. NO it is >>>>>> not the technology teacher's job (or any other specialist >>>>>> for that matter) and secondly last year I was not required >>>>>> to do it at my school (same county). My director told me >>>>>> that only my "home" school can issue the yearbook job to >>>>>> me. I have done a yearbook a few years ago for the same >>>>>> county at a different school and the amount of time and >>>>>> dedication it took was so overwhelming that I vowed I would >>>>>> never do it again. >>>>>> I don't want to do it and my "home" school principal said >>>>>> it was required of all technology teachers that worked at >>>>>> that school. I am not even there "full" time and do not >>>>>> feel it is my job. >>>>>> How many of you have been told that you are "required" to >>>>>> do this? Much of it ends up done outsied of school hours >>>>>> without compensation. The company we use is Lifetouch and >>>>>> though you are able to "do it at home" online, I cannot >>>>>> because I do not have adequate internet connection to >>>>>> maintain the connection needed for uploading and I am >>>>>> certainly not going to upgrade my internet connection at my >>>>>> cost to make a darn yearbook! >>>>>> I have heard that other specialists get stuck with it too, >>>>>> especially art teachers and librarians. This is not fair >>>>>> and actually quite demeaning. Our programs require the same >>>>>> amount of effort to teach and plan for as a regular >>>>>> classroom teachers (who get to be at their schools ALL DAY) >>>>>> and yet they are not required to make yearbooks. If any >>>>>> principals read this, maybe it will make you consider other >>>>>> options! >>>>>> Thanks >>>>>> My vent is over! I'd be interesting in seeing how many >>>>>> other technology teacher's or specialists get shafted with >>>>>> this! >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks!

Oct 18, 2009

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Blackout You don't understand. The purpose of the state in creating the TRT position as part of the Standards or Quality was not to teach students but to help teachers. By definition the position is staff development. It is not simply to help you find resources; it is to help you integrate technology into your instruction. If you are not going to them to as...See MoreYou don't understand. The purpose of the state in creating the TRT position as part of the Standards or Quality was not to teach students but to help teachers. By definition the position is staff development. It is not simply to help you find resources; it is to help you integrate technology into your instruction. If you are not going to them to ask for assistance using the vast technology available to you, then you are missing out. If the TRT isn’t offering to help then you have an issue and need to take it to the principal. The TRT’s role is to provide training to assist teachers it is not to teach students technology.

On 10/18/09, About time! wrote: > I agree, "Blackout." They are rarely in the > classroom, but their aides are > in there more often, yet they get paid much less. Go > figure. TRT stands for "Technology Resource > Teacher," so are they supposed to "teach me > how to find resources?" The word > "teacher" is in the name, so shouldn't they > TEACH the students? I know that they do in other > counties! > > On 10/18/09, Fed Up wrote: >> On 10/18/09, Blackout wrote: Please, give me a >> break...When the TRT has more planning time than a >> teacher, there is a problem. They do very little and >> everyone knows it! > >>> Your post clearly indicates that you have no clue >>> as to what the role of the TRT is in Loudoun. There >>> position, by design, is staff development. They are >>> to help you, the teacher, use the vast technical >>> resources available to you to integrate them into >>> your instruction. 80-90% of their time is to be >>> spent working with you to achieve that goal if you >>> are not taking advantage of this valuable resource, >>> than shame on you. >>> >>> On 10/18/09, About time! wrote: >>>> I didn't realize that you weren't in Loudoun, and >>>> since you aren't, and since you actually teach >>>> (like those in Loudoun should be doing), my >>>> posting doesn't pertain to you and those in your >>>> county). Which one are you in, if you can share? >>>> You are experiencing what those of us in Loudoun >>>> are going through. >>>> >>>> When I started, 10 years ago, we didn't have to >>>> do half as much as I am doing now. I don't mind >>>> doing extra things that are meaningful, but when >>>> I can't concentrate on my subjects, or wish to do >>>> extra to enhance my subject area because I am >>>> doing all of these non-essential "extra >>>> items," (teaching technology, teaching >>>> Health, acting as secretary, and everything >>>> else), that's where I get upset. Like my post >>>> says, the majority of our "TRTs" don't >>>> do half of what you are doing, and they should be >>>> teaching like you are. I retract my earlier >>>> comment and "thank" YOU for working >>>> hard! >>>> >>>> >>>> On 10/18/09, Zipdrive wrote: >>>>> Well thank you ABOUT TIME for your support! A >>>>> glorified babysitter! Nice! NO! I am not in >>>>> Loudoun and no I do not have an assistant, and >>>>> secondly I have to teach typing to fourth and >>>>> fifth graders as well as how to use the >>>>> computer to all grade levels including >>>>> kindergarten. >>>>> >>>>> I guess the Loudoun Techs have it made then >>>>> don't they?! In your school system I bet all >>>>> your specialists get bogged down with this type >>>>> of crap because of teachers like you who think >>>>> of specialists as "glorified >>>>> babysitters" as you so eloquently put it. >>>>> thank you again! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On 10/18/09, About time! wrote: >>>>>> To the principal who is making you actually >>>>>> work - THANK YOU! I don't know what county >>>>>> you are in, but in Loudoun, they are >>>>>> glorified babysitters and get paid nicely to >>>>>> no nothing, except check their e-mails, go on >>>>>> eBay, or sit in their "offices" >>>>>> while their aids do all of the work. >>>>>> >>>>>> Also, technology "teachers" need >>>>>> to, well, TEACH! It's not the job of the aid, >>>>>> and with teachers already having overflowing >>>>>> plates, classroom teachers shouldn't have to >>>>>> teach technology. Loudoun, if you're looking >>>>>> for a way to save money, then make your TRTs >>>>>> actually T-E-A-C-H! >>>>>> >>>>>> It's about time someone make the TRTs >>>>>> actually do something! >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 10/17/09, zipdrive wrote: >>>>>>> Hello All! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions >>>>>>> from other technology teachers or >>>>>>> specialists here in Virginia in regards to >>>>>>> a certain issue I am dealing with. I am a >>>>>>> traveling technology teacher and split my >>>>>>> time between 3 schools each nearly 45 >>>>>>> minutes apart. I am lucky that I am at each >>>>>>> school for the full day and do not have to >>>>>>> drive from one to the next during a single >>>>>>> day. Two of my principals want me to do the >>>>>>> yearbook, they tell me this is the >>>>>>> "technology teacher's" job at >>>>>>> their school. NO it is not the technology >>>>>>> teacher's job (or any other specialist for >>>>>>> that matter) and secondly last year I was >>>>>>> not required to do it at my school (same >>>>>>> county). My director told me that only my >>>>>>> "home" school can issue the >>>>>>> yearbook job to me. I have done a yearbook >>>>>>> a few years ago for the same county at a >>>>>>> different school and the amount of time and >>>>>>> dedication it took was so overwhelming that >>>>>>> I vowed I would never do it again. I don't >>>>>>> want to do it and my "home" >>>>>>> school principal said it was required of >>>>>>> all technology teachers that worked at that >>>>>>> school. I am not even there >>>>>>> "full" time and do not feel it is >>>>>>> my job. How many of you have been told that >>>>>>> you are "required" to do this? >>>>>>> Much of it ends up done outsied of school >>>>>>> hours without compensation. The company we >>>>>>> use is Lifetouch and though you are able to >>>>>>> "do it at home" online, I cannot >>>>>>> because I do not have adequate internet >>>>>>> connection to maintain the connection >>>>>>> needed for uploading and I am certainly not >>>>>>> going to upgrade my internet connection at >>>>>>> my cost to make a darn yearbook! I have >>>>>>> heard that other specialists get stuck with >>>>>>> it too, especially art teachers and >>>>>>> librarians. This is not fair and actually >>>>>>> quite demeaning. Our programs require the >>>>>>> same amount of effort to teach and plan for >>>>>>> as a regular classroom teachers (who get to >>>>>>> be at their schools ALL DAY) and yet they >>>>>>> are not required to make yearbooks. If any >>>>>>> principals read this, maybe it will make >>>>>>> you consider other options! Thanks My vent >>>>>>> is over! I'd be interesting in seeing how >>>>>>> many other technology teacher's or >>>>>>> specialists get shafted with this! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks!

Oct 18, 2009

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Bob/VA On 10/18/09, About time! wrote: > I didn't realize that you weren't in Loudoun,

Now you know, this isn't merely the Loudoun Teachers board it is the VIRGINIA teachers board.

Oct 18, 2009

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I agree. You're right, Bob/VA, and we need to keep it a Virginia board, not a Loudoun board! Blackout, I agree, and have used my TRT extensively (she's probably getting of all of my questions...ha-ha!). TRTs DO serve a purpose, so "About time," get on board, quit complaining, and USE your TRT!

On 10/18/09, Bob/VA wrote: > On 10/18/09, About tim...See More

Oct 19, 2009

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Jo On 10/17/09, zipdrive wrote: > Hello All! > > I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from other > technology teachers or specialists here in Virginia in > regards to a certain issue I am dealing with. I am a > traveling technology teacher and split my time between 3 > schools each nearly 45 minutes apart. I am lucky that I ...See MoreOn 10/17/09, zipdrive wrote: > Hello All! > > I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from other > technology teachers or specialists here in Virginia in > regards to a certain issue I am dealing with. I am a > traveling technology teacher and split my time between 3 > schools each nearly 45 minutes apart. I am lucky that I am > at each school for the full day and do not have to drive > from one to the next during a single day. Two of my > principals want me to do the yearbook, they tell me this is > the "technology teacher's" job at their school. NO it is > not the technology teacher's job (or any other specialist > for that matter) and secondly last year I was not required > to do it at my school (same county). My director told me > that only my "home" school can issue the yearbook job to > me. I have done a yearbook a few years ago for the same > county at a different school and the amount of time and > dedication it took was so overwhelming that I vowed I would > never do it again. > I don't want to do it and my "home" school principal said > it was required of all technology teachers that worked at > that school. I am not even there "full" time and do not > feel it is my job. > How many of you have been told that you are "required" to > do this? Much of it ends up done outsied of school hours > without compensation. The company we use is Lifetouch and > though you are able to "do it at home" online, I cannot > because I do not have adequate internet connection to > maintain the connection needed for uploading and I am > certainly not going to upgrade my internet connection at my > cost to make a darn yearbook! > I have heard that other specialists get stuck with it too, > especially art teachers and librarians. This is not fair > and actually quite demeaning. Our programs require the same > amount of effort to teach and plan for as a regular > classroom teachers (who get to be at their schools ALL DAY) > and yet they are not required to make yearbooks. If any > principals read this, maybe it will make you consider other > options! > Thanks > My vent is over! I'd be interesting in seeing how many > other technology teacher's or specialists get shafted with > this! > > Thanks!

Oct 20, 2009

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