Seven Secrets for Teachers to Survive in an Age of School Reform

As much as 20 years ago, it was commonplace for technology teachers to find a comfortable niche in the school building because they were the "go-to person." Yes, anytime something was in need of fixing or repair, they called on the technology teacher. With the advent of Y2K and computers, that niche slowly eroded to the teachers who could not only fix computers, but configure them, and by the way, can they monitor the network and the school Web site? The importance of the technology teacher went from being able to fix broken tables and chairs to one of high-tech computer maintenance. The first question to ask is whether the technology education teachers in one's school made this transition. Along came standards, state assessments, and No Child Left Behind. One can almost see the smoke coming out of every door in the school--"how," "what," "where," "when," and the list goes on. In addition, a new generation of principals replaced the traditional retiring baby boomers. A new superintendent means new directions. Research shows what it takes for students to be successful. Now, all of a sudden, what one thought was important is no longer appropriate in an environment where accountability is the first level of review. Here seven secrets for technology education teachers to survive in an age of school reform are presented. The seven secrets explained in this article include the following: (1) Smaller Schools and School Reform IS Better--Understand the Concept; (2) Get to Know Your Principal and Your Community; (3) Commit to a Standards-Based Model--Engineering by Design[TM]; (4) Embrace Design Through TIDE (Technology, Innovation, Design, and Engineering) as the Organizer for Your Teaching; (5) Organizing Around Career-Themed Academies is Your "Ticket to Ride"; (6) Form a Collaboration Committee for Technological Literacy; and (7) Get Involved--Stay Involved.