Displaced Teachers Use Workshop to Find New Careers

By David Young, NEWS 9 Photojournalist

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Hundreds of teachers in Oklahoma have been laid off because of the economic crisis, but on Tuesday some of them met in Oklahoma City to re-educate themselves and find new careers to pay the bills.

Some of the teachers had just finished their first year, while others were veterans of the classroom. However, all have lost their jobs, which is why they attended a workshop to learn new skills to find jobs outside of teaching.

"You're one person looking for one job with 30 other people, and it is something that they do not teach you how to handle in college," said Leslie Fletcher, first-year teacher who was laid off.

And many said it is also a feeling of comfort to be with those that also share the same plight.

"You know you're not the only one in this position. It's not something you've done personally wrong. It's the field," Fletcher said.

Fletcher was not the only one hoping to learn new ideas. Irma Williams is a special education teacher who has been working for 10 years. She moved to another school and was cut her first year there.

"I can't believe this happened to us because you thought when you went to college, you went to school, there would be kids and they would always be needing teachers and then boom, you're gone," Williams said.

But there is an underlying reason to keep teachers employed.

"What we can offer theses teachers is hope and a sense of confidence with marketable skills and an opportunity to keep them here but have their talents used," said Dave Lopez, Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

By keeping the teachers in Oklahoma and working, Lopez said he hopes to keep their passion alive.

"Because that passion is important to our future as a community," Lopez said.

Lopez said it's important to keep the teachers in Oklahoma because the state cannot afford to lose educated, skilled workers.