The DOE has shown once again how they will go to great lengths to get "newbie teachers" hired while making it difficult for schools to hire better qualified ATRs. In today's Gotham Schools there is an article that showed how the DOE welcomed these "newbie teachers" with cookies, drinks, presents, and put them on the top of the list for vacancies. The DOE even brought in a musician to serenade these "select newbie teachers". Many of these teachers may have graduated high in their class but can they teach? Obviously, many, maybe a majority of these "select teachers" will be long gone from the New York City schools in five years and the City will be forced to find and train replacements at the expense of the students.
On the other hand, there are over a thousand ATRs floating around the NYC Public Schools and few are offered positions , except as long term replacements in hard to staff areas like science and special education. The ATRs who do get jobs are usually the untenured or ATRs that have less than five years experience and are relatively inexpensive. As for the highly experienced and relatively more expensive ATRs? They have a less of a chance of getting a vacancy then a snowstorm in April, thanks to the "fair student funding fiasco". This is especially true in the Bloomberg small schools where most of the teachers are recent hires and the average teacher salary is $55,000. Therefore, for a Principal to hire a teacher making $85,000, He or she would need to come up with the $30,000 difference. Is it any wonder that Principals would be reluctant to hire a teacher who is going to put a dent into his or her budget? While some of the best schools have an average salary of $80,000 or more, many schools run by "Leadership Academy principals" experience massive teacher turnover and cannot afford or want an ATR "quality teacher", even if it's what's best for the students. Just last year, the ATR job fair was a joke with few schools represented and even fewer administrators with the authority to offer positions. In one case, a school sent a Secretary to take names of ATRs to screen them for a possible interview. What a joke and a disgrace!It's too bad that the DOE is so shortsighted that recruitment is more important than retention to them. When I keep reading that the DOE puts "children first", I must laugh because the real truth is that the students of the school is put last when it comes to hiring qualified teachers.
15 comments:
I applied directly to schools through the postal service. Haven't heard anything yet. I really don't expect to because I have 20+ years with a salary to match. At this point, I don't care much. I will just try to get through another year of ATRdom. I'm better than them.
What a sham . The DOE is kissing the collective a**es of these "select" teachers. What does "select" even mean? It means that they were at the top of their classes in the education school that they attended. However, getting all A's in an education school does not mean jack in the inner city schools of NYC. I will not consider any teacher "select" until he or she can prove themselves in the classroom on a day to day basis and handle all of the inherent stress that comes with the job. Only then, will these teachers gain my respect as "select" teachers. Would the NYPD buy cookies and kiss the behinds of recruits at the top of the police academy at graduation? I don't think so. Cops know that top grades in the police academy do not necessarily make a great beat cop. Streetwise experience and an inner sense of knowing how to handle oneself is what matters. That can only be proven out in the streets. The DOE is simply putting on a show to intimidate veteran teachers and try to get young teachers into the system as the DOE knows most of them will wash out in a few years and thus no high salaries or pensions to pay for.
We have been saying the same thing since this nonsense started.
The ATR teachers that don't get hired by schools, don't get hired not because their salaries are too high they don't get hired because they either can't teach or they're difficult to work with.
Anon:4:57
Untrue. Its about the salary and the poor reputation that scumbags like Joel Klein made of them.
It's too bad you believe that baloney.
atrs don't get hired because they can't teach or are difficult to work with
are you insane?? this is a joke right because you are obviously certifiable
is that you bloomberg - or walcott or any other DOE moron?
what a jerk -
Anybody, I mean anybody, can become an ATR. The scarlet letter attached to ATR teachers is horrible and more importantly, unjustified. In my 15 years of teaching in NYC I have met many ATR's and the vast majority of them are decent, hardworking teachers who just want to do their jobs. Randi "Whine" garten sold them out in 2005. Let us hope that the next contract will allow these teachers to once again be placed in schools and continue their careers in a dignified manner.
Anon: 4:57
Be careful what you say. What goes around, comes around. You may find yourself as an ATR. Will it be because you couldn't teach or you were difficult to work with?
I hope it never happens to you, Your Graciousness.
A Principal doesn't have to find more budget money to hire an ATR. The Principal is only charged the average salary of their whole school for any teacher they hire. The following year the average school salary might increase due to hiring an experienced teacher but it won't increase greatly. An experienced teacher or ATR would never cost a school an additional $30,000 in the upcoming school year, please get your facts straight.
Anonymous 7:07, are you in Bloomberg and Walcott's back pocket? Or are you just trying to kiss up to your principal. Anybody and everybody can become an ATR! Join reality, please
This is the 2nd time I had been excessed from my school. I have been teaching there 8 years - S ratings every time - the administration has suggested that I publish my lesson plans, I am well received by my kids and know how to keep a classroom in order - (It takes about three years)- SO...do I deserve this demotion? This loss of tenure? I won't get hired anywhere because I cost too much especially if I have to compete with the "select" crew that are coming up.We ATR are sacrificed so Bloomturd can shrink my school (1200 kids in 2007 - 360 today) before they close it or give it to GreenDot. Screw the DOE. I am done.
Tell that to the principals who keep claiming that the ATRs are too expensive.
I think that fellow that is trying to get his job through the postal service had better rethink his strategy. The postal service mostly hires postal employees and doesn't run a job referral service.
ATRs were not supervised this year.The ATR supervisors did not show their faces at all to help ATR teachers. When I ask one where she was all year she said she should have come but did not. I said it sounds like theft of service. She lied 3 times as to who her supervisor was. Anyone over 10 sick days even with medical certification was given a U. Has anyone had trouble with a missing ATR supervisor. Next stop Office of Special Investigations.
I am a 2nd year ATR producing a documentary about ATR’s. Please participate and share your story. Email me at richpiedra@gmail.clom
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