I'm am eleven year Industrial/Technology teacher. My classroom was always located near the Band/Choir rooms. I taught in one school for 9 years run, and I saw 3 band teachers come and go and in Choir I saw 2 choir teachers come and the choir program was only 3 years old. That school was closed 2 years ago. In each highschool, there were 2 band teachers but then one position was cut. One band teacher has class sizes of 45+. Is that legal? I think for band teachers it is. Anyway, the few low seniority band teachers who remain commute to teach ALL of the elementary schools.
Needless to say, one oldhat is praying until he can retire in 2 years, another is praying while trying to keep the program afloat because enrollment is way way down. The other one has a great program going, large enrollment BUT fears his program will suffer from budget cutbacks and apathy towards the ARTS. Our fine art programs have also been stripped to the core in the last 5 years and more cuts are planned for the 2008/2009 school year.
AS a matter of fact Choir was not even offered in our MS until about 3 years ago and that cut bands budget in half. A one-term Superintendent from Chicago was a big music person and he revitalized the Music programs in our district. All schools began to seriously compete and gain some recognition, but since his departure the support for the music department is not there. It seems no one cares about elective/discovery courses.
In Michigan, they think Math and Science is the magic pill that will fix everything. The New HS Math/Science requirements (which truly is a basic college preparatory program which should have been in practice anyway :
) strips students from enrolling into any elective. There is not enough time in their schedules after they cover the core requirements. As a result, all electives are suffering. Even the Career and Technical programs are suffering because the vocational programs require a half day of instruction. Students can not take Vo-tech anymore especially if the failed any class in the early high school years.
As a result of the changing times, I am laid off for the 2009 school year because they cut my program. Elective teachers are NOT considered necessary (well not in my district). There is no job security no matter your experience, seniority or plethora of certifications in your portfolio. I would say stay away from MIchigan if at all possible. I am desperate to relocate out-of-state myself. I am the last one out of my family of teachers to transition out of the state.
I tried to prevent my bushy tailed niece from becoming a teacher but she wouldn't listen. She was hired to teach Language Arts (TESOL in Florida) mid-year 2008 and laid off for 2009 before she truly unpacked. FIFO makes it difficult for any new teacher to even visualize earning seniority or tenure. My other family members have all abandoned their seniority and all have moved out-of-state (Florida and Georgia). Oh! Guess what! They are all CORE or Special Educaton teachers!
I am the only elective teacher in my family and I held on to my job because for awhile Technology Education was the new IN-thing. My job was one that they claimed would never see the chopping block because Michigan was dedicated to educating students for a new high-tech workforce! Yawnnnnnn! Until, the schools realized how expensive it was to run these programs with no money. How can you teach a computer class with no computers? Ask yourself this, how can you teach band without instruments? Have your students bring in soup cans, shoeboxes, and recyclables?
I'm a bit disgruntled today (just learned of my impending layoff Monday) but I'm sure there are some districts who value the program you seek. But, know that the competition is extremely high because many are facing layoffs again for the 5th year straight. Districts basically expect you to have a double Ph.d but only want to pay you lower working class wages. If you teach in a rich district then more than likely you won't be able to afford living near your teaching assignment in SE Michigan. Expect a long and traffic congested commute riddled with potholes. FWIW, gas is averaging $3.50 for 89 octane. The cost of living is extreme here. High insurance and taxes, but there are plenty of foreclosed homes up for grabs.
As a matter of fact, I have a lovely 2-3 bedroom home you could transition into as you relocate. Pay no mind, that the airport plans to expand and bulldoze through my home. They don't expect to start eminent domain negotiations for at least ten years. Interested? Give me a PM. LOL.
Ok. Back to my rant.
Luckily, I was able to dodge the "chopping block" bullets long enough to get a vested pension for 10+ years of service. It is time for me to cut my losses and hope for greener grasses elsewhere.
Good luck in your search. Plymouth-Canton, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills are areas that I have heard need teachers. I would stay away from Wayne County (my county). Washtenaw County, Oakland County, Macomb County seem less disgruntled. I lived in Isabella County for 8 years (very small) but they are experiencing growth because of the Colleges and Casinos.
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04-13-2008, 04:23 PM
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