My curriculum is up to me. I've structured it to teach kids how to think logically, become fluent in programming languages, and start developing an eye for good design. Some kids enjoy this. But a lot of kids just want to learn how to use tools (for example, to create cool-looking things in PhotoShop). I think learning to use tools is important, and of course we use tons of software tools in my program, but for me it's not the heart of the program.
My program doesn't have enough students. I know the administration notices this and that they're worried about it, particularly since Portland Schools is now a couple million dollars in debt after last year's debacle. I could attract a lot more students if my curriculum focused on learning to use software. I could also attract more students if my curriculum focused on getting kids ready to be database administrators, for example, or data entry personnel, or any number of entry-level tech jobs.
I think I would be really bored in any of these scenarios. But if I don't find kids who want to learn to program (or somehow convince kids that programming is fun), I may not have a program. Which makes me wonder: am I the teacher who should be teaching here? I love teaching here, but that's not the question.
I told this to my cluster at our Tuesday meeting. It was met with some shock, as is usually the case when I share something heavy on my mind with my fellow teachers (or say something out loud that everyone else is thinking). More than one of them have come to talk with me about it; it seems to have lingered in their minds.
This question comes at the same time that I've been wishing I had more time for my violin studio, though acquiring health insurance would be impossible/expensive/a pain if I became a full-time violin teacher (and I'm pretty sure I couldn't even buy disability insurance at all). And then there are the students who come in with their brains off and, after a few months, are talking about college and computer science. What a pity it would be to lose those. I sense hard choices ahead.