Life in the Back SeatITBE WorkshopApril 21, 2012

Today's Agenda

Review the problem

Discuss possible solutions

Open discussion

We are not alone...

Did you know: 70% of faculty at

universities and over 80% of faculty at

community colleges are adjuncts or

graduate students.

We are not alone...

There is a website that shows the working conditions of adjuncts in general...

The Adjunct Project

There is also a blog where adjuncts can discuss the issues.

http://adjunctproject.com/

But Adult Ed seems to be the hardest hit...More than 90% Adult Ed Faculty are

adjuncts.

Many adult educators don't work for academic institutions.

Therefore, adult education does not have the voice and presence of other educational groups.

Adult Education Issues

• pay

• hours

• benefits

• work conditions

• lack of full-time jobs

• general attitudes

The Solutions?

What can we do to change attitudes and

conditions so that we can get out of the

“back seat?”

Be involved in state, national, and international organizations

Address the lack of full-time jobs and general attitudes:

IACEA - sends out blasts about legislation at state level

COABE - sends out blasts about legislation at national level

Be involved in state, national, and international organizations

TESOL - sends out newsletter as well as job opportunities

ITBE - voice for ELLs at state level

SIG Groups

Be involved in state, national, and international organizations

Proliteracy

Lobby Day - chance to show Congressmen at state level what we do

Write to Senators and Representatives - show them that there is support

Be involved in college level and community committees

Raise awareness of adult ed:

what we do

our accomplishments

Be seen as professionals

Be seen as "real" teachers

Be involved in college level and community committees

Others see value in having adult ed more involved (ATD, Alliance)

"What have you done to benefit the college? What makes you stand out?"

Benefit on CV as well

Unions

These can have an effect on pay, hours, benefits, and working conditions

Have a voice at the local level (college level)

Combination of full-time/ part-time union has proven to be stronger

Must have leadership within union to represent adult education interests

Have a Voice

Be proactive

Lose the victim mentality

Propose solutions

Raise Standards

Embrace professional development:

Be at the cutting edge of technology

Be involved with emerging initiative (I-CAPS)

Keep up-to-date with research

Improve teaching methodology

Raise Standards

Distance learning

Diversify portfolio

Active learning - Learning how to learn

Many new hires have a Master's Degree

= Be prepared

Improve Teaching

Many possibilities for professional development:

ALRC - workshops and online

TESOL - online training and webinars

COABE - online training and webinars (Effective Advocacy Strategies for Challenging Times, scheduled for April 24.)

Improve Teaching

More Online: Proliteracy; ELL-U; Performance Learning Systems; ICCB

Conferences: APC (ECC), ALRC, ITBE, IACEA, COABE (attend and/or present)

What counts for professional development hours?

Be Flexible and Adaptable

Accept change

Volunteer for something new

Teach different levels or areas

Expand your portfolio

Full-time JobsDevelop a CV - highlight achievements

Professional Philosophy of Teaching

Make connections

Check for jobs regularly (especially in Dec/Jan and August/September)

Full-time Jobs

Resources:

College job websitesTESOL Placement BulletinITBE WebsiteChronicle of Higher EducationIllinois Worknet CenterHigher Ed Jobs

Discussion