Low Pay for Technology Workers
Posted by Dirk D Dykstra at 9/13/2005 5:58 PM 
Categories: Management Articles,Information Technology,Educational Technology
Categories: Management Articles,Information Technology,Educational Technology
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One Colleague's Comments:
Here is my problem and I really hope someone out there can give me some pointers. I am a technology coordinator for a small school who also teaches 7 classes a day. I used to have time built into my schedule to handle coordinator duties, but now they have also assigned me to teach 5 classes of writing lab in addition to the k-5 computer labs and middle school classes that I teach. I also handle the middle school discipline and supervise the After Care program. I feel like I am drowning with the RSCCC, AR, Grade Speed, vendors, ordering, writing grants, teacher pilot error problems, equipment problems and repairs, e-rate, and webmastering for our school website. What is a good job description for a Tech. Coord. who is supposed to be part time and teaching a full load. I get paid $2,500 a year for this. Is this standard? We have just hired a tech to come in one day a week. What would his job description be? I need to start delegating some of these responsibilities, but I really don't know where to start. Another Colleague: I too am facing the same ridiculous situation. Even though I am in a non-instructional administrator position in my school, this year the principal has assigned me five classes (six classes is a full load for our teachers). I am still expected to manage 600 computers and the school network, by myself. I am so frustrated with this situation that I want to find a new job. How dare my leadership place me in a no-win situation. Fellow teachers are in a dire need of support, but my time is eaten up by all the classes I teach. I think you can sense my frustration in the words I type. I have been working in education technology for 13 years. I have seen this same lack of leadership at all levels of K-12 education, from state level to regional to district to school building - in half a dozen different states. Nothing seems to improve. We continue to face the same poor leadership choices time and time again. In the end, we are held accountable for why technology is not working in the schools, and it is that reason more than anything else, that has me completely frustrated. Finally, Another Colleague's Situation: It is far too easy for a school to hire some 19 year old kid at $10/hour because they think all they need is a "fix-it guy." For a true education technology professional, one who is teacher certified with classroom experience and technology experience, we have invested far too much time, education, and expenses to be a $10/hour worker. My Comments: The reason some schools abuse their technology people is because they can. So long as technology workers continue to work forever for nothing some schools have no reason to change.
Why are you doing all the work? For $2,500? Go back to them and tell them how many hours you are working now and calculate how much more you need. If you can not come to an agreement, then resign and go somewhere that will. You can always find a teaching position in technology and most do not have other duties attached, except at real small schools. Ask for the money or help and you may receive it. If the school wishes to hire the $10.00/hour guy, let them. If the administration does not value the work you do while you are there, perhaps they will after you leave. That improves things for the next person.
This does not mean you should resign on the spot - finish out your contract. Most of us have contracts and resignations should be for the up and coming school year. As a father with six children I do not believe in running around without a job, but I also value the time with my family. If you are not a contract worker, then find other work first and give a reasonable notice. I left the high paying computer/network consultant world for education over thirteen years ago and do not regret it at all. Those days were when I was on call 24x7 and worked 80 to 100 hours per week. Twice since then I have left school positions that demanded more time than I felt was reasonable, once due to extra duties that were added on all the time and once because I had a health problem and the job required more time than my health could afford.
I can assure you that there are many administrators out there who appreciate their technology people and treat them reasonably. Do not stay somewhere if you are miserable, it can affect everyone around you, including your family. Sometimes it is worth driving 30-45 miles a day.
Dirk D Dykstra PS - Low pay and overwork for Technology workers is usually symptomatic of more serious administration or budgeting problems and probably is affecting more people than just yourself. Be Careful! | |||
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