11/22/09

Presidents Message

Hi All

Welcome to the 2^nd installment of “lets drive Jerry Crazy” sponsored by your friends and
colleagues of the CTEA Executive board.  So much has happened in the last two months since
my last article that sometimes I forget I am a full-time TE teacher.  Let me see if I can list
everything that has transpired so I can keep you better informed.  
 

   CTEA Web Site goes through major renovations.

   CTEA starts letter writing campaign directed toward the SDE to have a new TE Consultant hired.    

   Our Listserv was shut down and after many questions to the SDE – I still do not feel I was told the“reason”.

   Our TE teachers stepped up and started blogs and groups to fill the Listserv void.

   I accepted invite to join the State STEM Committee and attended the September and November
      Middletown meetings.

   I went with Paul Hoffman to CCSU on 10/21 to talk to Jim DeLaura’s TE 400 class about all aspects of
      our TE teaching profession.

   Was informed of a scary ITEA report that says only 300 TE teachers graduated nation-wide last year.

   Met with CCSU – we have 100 in our TE Program.

   I was invited and I attended the NEATT conference at Fitchburg State College on 11/06.  This was a big
      one for me because 4 of the 6 New England Presidents attended. We met and discussed TE in each
      of our States.

I am sure I forgot something, but just typing this list makes my head hurt.  So here we go.

Thanks so much to Everett for all the 100’s of hours he has given to our Web Site.  Also, thanks to Justin
   for tweaking the web items and creating the forums.   

   Please check out our WEB SITE!     http://www.cteaweb.org/default.htm 

The forums now have the capability for file uploads. See the "Hot News" page of our web site for specifics.  

Thanks to Aaron, Jeff and Justin for stepping up to create test pages.

I have received notification from the SDE that we will have a new TE Consultant in 6 months.  I feel we still
   need to flood SDE with letters supporting a new hiring.
   Everett has put my request and sample letter on the "Hot News" page of our Web Site for those wanting to
   print and mail. 

Were we censored – I do not know for sure.  When our Listserv was shut down, I contacted SDE right away.
    I was told it was shut down because they (SDE) did not
    have the people to coordinate it.  Fact or fiction?

2^nd STEM meeting was as interesting as the 1^st.  It feels good to be part of a State Committee where T.E. is
    treated as an equal and with STEM, we are.  We are
    working on educating the public and the SDE about the importance of Technology.

Paul and I went to talk to the 18 students in Dr. DeLaura’s TE 400 class.  We brought in 9 Pizzas and some
   soda – then spent the next 1 ½ hours talking about being a
   TE Teacher.

Did you hear – ONLY 300 TE Teachers graduated NATIONWIDE last year.  We need PR badly.  CTEA is
   working with CCSU to assist with a Senior Open House
   day.  I will keep you informed. 

On November 6^th, At the NEATT Conference, I was very fortunate to meet with the other New England
   Tech. Ed. presidents. Since I just got home from NEATT as I am writing this, I will have to give you the full
   version later – but here is a summary.  Mass., Maine, NH, RI, and Vermont are all experiencing the same
   road blocks that we are in promoting the TE experience. Some Labs have closed, some programs have been
   changed – and in some States, CTE has drained TE funds.  As I made
   the 3 ++ hour drive home – I realized that in some ways – we here in Conn. TE are fighting the good fight.
   I promised to give you more info about the New England TE president meeting in the future.
 

Have a great November.

Jerry Stevens

CTEA President

Technology Education Teacher

Jockey Hollow School

gstevens@monroeps.org

203-452-2905/ext 6120

Please contact Everett  if you find errors or have information to post.