Lifeinthe backseat
22
Life in the Back Seat ITBE Workshop April 21, 2012
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This is a presentation I made at the Spring ITBE workshop regarding issues for adjuncts in adult education.
Transcript of Lifeinthe backseat
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
