TEAI Web Log (Blog)

Given the tough economic times that our school districts are facing cuts are rampant and unfortunately our areas are increasingly hard hit.

I am starting this post/thread to include postings that I have been made aware of in my circle of contacts mostly through the CTE department chairs in DuPage County. If your school or district is looking for someone even part time please add on to this. Obviously there are other resources for this as well such as the regional office of education the IASA job bank etc...

We are currently seeking some addtional board members to serve as a local liaison for the fellow tech teachers in their area as region directors. 

If your county already has a region director listed under the regional directors page in the about us tab and you want to help out please reach out to those people it is a pretty tall order to try and figure out all of the tech teachers in your county let alone the neighboring counties as well.

We are also looking for a middle school liaison, middle school teachers are an essential component of our organization, and we want to make sure that we support those teachers through collaboration on curriculum matters as well as funding and program directions. The experience students have at the middle school level in their technology education classes significantly impacts the courses and direction that a student may take in their secondary and post-secondary programs of study.

Do you know of great things going on in your school or program? What about a neighboring school or district? We are planning a number of upcoming roundtable meetings to tour local schools and facilities and the camaraderie of meeting with your fellow tech teachers. Contact your region director and keep an eye on our website for more information.

Thanks to all those who attended the 2009 Illinois Technology Education Conference. Our numbers were up compared to previous years though we have heard of other conferences feeling the effects of the economy. It is the dedication and hard work of our membership and the great things that are going on in the state of Illinois that keeps me as well as the rest of our TEAI board of directors going. IF you have anything that you would like to share regarding your conference experience this year we look forward to seeing it here, or IF you have ideas on how to make next years conference an even greater success we welcome your thoughts and feedback.