VTEA is the only organization at the state level that is looking after your best interests as technology educators. Joining VTEA is easy and is a very worthwhile investment. When asked by colleagues why they should join VTEA, I say it is because of the association’s following four goals.

What are the goals of VTEA?

Professional Leadership – at the state level, this is the only association that represents technology education which insures that it stays the primary means for advancing technological literacy in schools

Program and Staff Development – the association supports professional development through workshops and the annual conference,

Public Relations – the association is the strongest organizational advocate for technology education in the state and it does so by promoting its value for all learners to the general assembly and other legislators

Leadership Development – the association provides individuals the opportunity to assume and develop leadership roles in the profession

I am sure that you would agree that these four goals are very important to our field and you would think that every technology educator would support VTEA. However, currently only 20% of the technology education teachers in Virginia are members of the association. If we want to be taken seriously by the general assembly and by the educational community, we need to make a better showing! The more technology teachers we have backing the association and its goals, the stronger presence we will have in Virginia. My hope is that you will get involved with VTEA in some capacity and that you get at least one other technology educator involved as well. If we can double our enrollment each of the next two years, then 80% of the technology educator’s in Virginia will be VTEA members.

• Attend the annual VTEA conference
  
• Present your innovations and ideas in a workshop at the annual conference
  
• Write an article for the VTEA quarterly newsletter
  
• Nominate a colleague for a VTEA teaching or program award
  
• Become a member of the board of directors
  
• Display the VTEA logo and mission
  
• Talk to family, friends, and other teachers about VTEA and its mission
  
• Inform your local elected officials about what your students are doing in your class
  

It is often said that technology education is the best kept secret out there. Help the VTEA to get the word out so that it is a secret no longer. Technology Education is still very much misunderstood. Many administrators, legislators, politicians and other decision makers still have a mistaken view of what it is that we accomplish in our classrooms. They need to be aware of the great things we are doing! Please show your support by joining and becoming involved in VTEA.

Kindest Regards,
Toss Cline
VTEA Vice-President