I do realize that what I am talking about is scary.
I know that most teachers believe that they will be in the same classroom that they have been in for the past 10 years for the rest of their teaching careers.
I know that teaching has always been considered a safe place and secure job.
It’s not anymore.
You might think your school isn’t experiencing it, but look for some key signs:
- Are there more part time positions than there have been?
- Why do you think that is?
- Are there more students in your classroom?
- Are there less special area teachers?
All of these signs point to money saving tactics.
Administrators are in a tough position right now. They know from experience that having more teachers and less students in each classroom is most beneficially for student achievement, but quite simply: they can’t afford it!
Budget cuts demand that they look to hire more part time positions, so they won’t have to pay insurance costs. They have to give each teacher a class and a half of students in order to cut 1 full time teaching position. They have to cut more special areas to save money.
We don’t want to talk about it, but we need to read our context clues.
Things are about to change.