I had an epiphany of sorts this morning doing the grocery shopping as I was considering eggs. I always go free range (but since I started working really….. in fact eggs are still something of a luxury to me), and as I was comparing prices this morning I realised how lucky I am to able to do to so. Living in Dunedin on a ‘just’ a teacher wage and a partner working in a similarly paid job to me, I have it a lot better than a lot of my colleagues who get the same wage for the same work and pay a LOT more to live. However, my school does not have this luxury. I had been wallowing in self pity after having a proposal for some funding to attend a conference segwayed into probably not being able to go. I was really disappointed, frustrated, a bit down and plotting how I could scrimp and save to get myself there (I had already offered to pay the flights anyway) and looking at the eggs this morning it really hit me that not all schools, and therefore not all kids, can afford ‘free range’.
To resolve my school of blame, they did suggest a really thoughtful alternative. (After a wine, I was even more ‘pissy’ about this, as it meant I couldn’t even be cross with them, they really are trying to support what I wanted to learn about. Which I am very thankful for. But the reality is, we are on a budget and the money just isn’t there.) And sadly, I can’t get to the alternative as it clashes with another trip.
And really, I got to go the E2 exchange in Toronto (thanks Microsoft for paying for me!!) and I did go to Energise in Queenstown (thank Cyclone for paying my conference fee and accomodation – I picked up the gas tab) so I have had some AMAZING PLD this year already. I am doing some EdEX courses, and of course chipping away on the Microsoft Educator Community, and I have put my name down for the Mindlab course running. I also hosted the scichatNZ teachmeet session, and got loads out of that. So I am doing some learning. And perhaps I just shouldn’t be so entitled!!!!!
I then wondered why the conference cost so much ($499+GST) for 2 days. The alternative offered was $150+GST for one day. I know you need to pay for speakers to attend, venue hire, possibly a meal, food for participants etc. But on top of this cost for schools is transport and relief, and the time for the people sorting everything.
It sums up why I LOVE twitter, #edchatNZ, why I started #scichatNZ with Matty and co, why I make an effort for #teachmeetNZ and why I do as many free courses online as I can. I know that there are loads of teacher like me, who’s schools can’t afford it, or won’t make that ‘out there’ conference a priority, and there are definitely teachers who don’t even know that there are free PLD options out there. I wish wish wish I could have gotten time to go to the EdchatNZ conference…. but at the time I couldn’t stretch for flights myself. But I love the unconference idea, and making PD more accessible to EVERYONE.
But as I sit now, closing the door on what could have been some pretty cool learning, some awesome Korero with some amazing educator peeps and also a nice trip, I am frustrated that the doors to learning are still being closed. And not just on our kids. I am confident that there are loads of teachers out there who have been turned down for funding for PLD this year…. and maybe some like me who sat down and worked out that if I put this money here, and that money there, maybe I can fund myself. I seem to remember some-one started a go fund me type thing to get to a conference once. It is also what drove me to the PPTA ICT committee, trying to find away to ensure teachers get access to devices fit for purpose for their teaching, and the support to use them. To many schools and teachers are held to ransom over device choice by cost, and teacher just get handed a new device with no help in how to use it.
And then you go to the supermarket and find yourself thinking if I don’t buy free range eggs, I could put that extra $3 towards my flights. And you have to do what the school does, and prioritise what is important to you.
Just like if the school doesn’t pay my $500 conf fee, the could put it towards something else. Like breakfasts for our kids that don’t have them. Or the power bill. Or Or Or Or Or. And it is tax payers money after all.
But will this keep us in a ‘battery’ style teaching philosphy, while other schools are allowing their kids to be free range. No-one think battery eggs are better, but they sure are cheaper. So what other costs are our underfunded school schools having…..? It isn’t just the students wings we are clipping…..
And how can we break free if we can’t even sit at the table where the discussions are taking place?
ibpossum takes on tech 
Agree. These opportunities are vital for PLD which we need to provide evidence of yet many schools have to ration request approvals. The free stuff is great but is no equal to having professional learning time with colleagues.