Despite Budget Cuts, RIC Keeps Focus On Teaching
Monday, March 14, 2011
As decimated schools budgets are forcing cities across the state to lay off or terminate teachers and school workers, students and administrators at Rhode Island College say the university should nonetheless continue producing quality teachers at its current pace.
Alexander Sidorkin, dean of RIC’s Feinstein School of Education and Human Development told GoLocalProv that even though the current job market appears to be down, there will always be a need for teachers and the university’s various education programs are still in high demand among applicants.
“Last year, the job marker was a little light for graduates,” Sidorkin said. “This fall it will probably be worse. But it will pick up. We’re seeing no noticeable decrease in our applications.”
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As Rhode Island’s cities and towns continue to cut school budgets, Sidorkin said the bigger problem is people who might want to become teachers are being scared away at the thought of being laid off or fired every single year.
“It detracts qualified people from entering teaching,” the dean said.
Sidorkin said one of the problems when a situation like the one in Providence arises is that there is an untold amount of stress put on teachers. They’re worried about being fired, their school potentially closing and then they’re expected to teach like nothing is wrong. He said those interested in being teachers might be put off by the extra stress.
'I’m Absolutely Concerned'
Ashlee Burns, a senior focusing on secondary education, said watching what has happened around the state has caused her to worry about where she’ll find work. She says once she finds a place she likes, she would like to be able to stay and settle in, but she isn’t sure that will happen the way things are currently going.
“I’m absolutely concerned,” she said. “If I do find a job, it will probably be for one year because everyone gets laid off. You’re not guaranteed anything no matter how good your grades are or how well you test. “
Still, Burns said she’s happy she chose to get in to teaching and is confident her degree will pay off in the end.
“RIC’s a great teacher program,” Burns said. “I’ve had a wonderful experience.”
Freshman: People Still Want To Teach
David Brantley, a freshman, says being a teacher is the only thing he’s ever wanted to. The 18-year-old said he tries to avoid paying attention to what’s happening in local news because he doesn’t want to hear teachers being badmouthed.
Like Sidorkin, Brantley believes becoming a teacher will be the right choice because it is “fulfilling and you get to help children.”
“There will always be a need for teachers,” Brantley said. “It’s not like other industries where you saw computers or machines coming in and taking over. The writing was on the wall. Students are always going to need teachers they can identify with and I hope to be there for it.”
You Have To Be Realistic
Over 20 percent of students at RIC major in some form of education, by far the largest focus at the university. But Sidorkin (pictured left) disagreed with the notion that RIC should move away from promoting its education program in favor of other areas of interest such as its nursing program.
“RIC has a wonderful nursing program,” Sidorkin said. “But it’s different. There’s no shortage in the need for science and math teachers. If you were a high school physics teacher, for example, you would be able to find a job.”
Sidorkin said the key is being open and honest with students that come to RIC. He said professors and advisors talk with students about their likelihood of find a job often. According to him, it probably won’t be easy for someone focusing on history or social studies to find a job in the state.
“We’re honest with our students,” he said. “We tell them they have to be realistic. Some jobs are easier to find and some you might have to leave the state. But long term, the outlook is good.”
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