According to my sources, the DOE's ATR placement policy has not significantly changed the amount of ATRs permanently leaving the ATR pool, when compared to previous years. While the DOE's ATR buyout removed 120 ATRs from the pool. These ATRs were retiring anyway! The retiring ATRs were quickly replaced by the DOE's aggressive persecution of veteran teachers who were subject to 3020-a hearings and few were returned to their school after their completion. Moreover, as some schools downsized or closed altogether, fresh blood is added to the ATR pool. Finally, with Fair Student Funding, few, if any, veteran teachers are offered permanent positions due to their salary, age, and institutional memory.
Almost all the ATRs I know are either rotating or given a provisional position. Of the approximately 100 or so ATRs I know, only 2 were offered a permanent position and they are both doubly certified in Special Education and ESL. A severe shortage area. I suspect that is the case citywide,
It certainly appears to me that the DOE's ATR placement policy is a failure and has not significantly reduced the ATR pool, once you include the provisional placements who will all be back into the ATR pool at the end of the school year, Add the teachers from Flushing and De Witt Clinton high schools at the end of the year and it does not bode well for a reduction in the ATR pool next year.
Will the DOE approve another ATR buyout and sweeten the pot by offering a year's salary and pension credit? Who knows but if they don't change the existing DOE policy on teacher hiring and eliminate fair student funding, that's the only way to permanently reduce the ATR pool.
Obviously, the DOE's ATR placement policy is a failure and a win for the principals who want to retain their vacancies for the next group of "newbies".
29 comments:
Thank you for all that you post! It is informative and helpful especially the ATR posts.:-) I have been reading your blog for a few years now. A lot of this stuff over the years makes me think it may be time to leave teaching and move onto to something else, possibly my former field before teaching (communications) I’m a Newlywed, no kids yet, have 10 years in, Tier 4 and eligible to retire at 25/55. Special Education (currently resource room) teacher-dual-certified, work in a decent school where no one harasses me. But i can’t help but wonder if I would be happier doing something else as a career? The amount of nobility and humility needed to teach in these schools and the paperwork is way too much. Not interested in admin/supervisory work either-Tried the courses and it wasn’t for me. I feel like more teachers suffer their way to retirement and few make it out and retire with some sanity, dignity and their health intact. It’s sad and scary, sometimes scarier that working private sector with no job security. I ask you, Is the job security and pension in teaching worth staying for 19+ more years? I can tolerate it but I fear the regret of staying and worry about the age discrimination and the uncertainty (being placed in the ATR pool, being targeted and harassed, 3020a hearings, being lied on just so you can be terminated, etc.)-all things I have witnessed happen to colleagues since being in the DOE. I would hate to become a parent and just be stuck working a job I hate while feeling regrets. Any advice?
Have you heard anything about what contract negotiations are going to focus on?
ABOLISH ATR SYSTEM NOW!!!
ATRS are at the front lines!
UFT stand up and fight!
Anyone can become an ATR!
Nobody took the buyout who was not otherwise eligible for retirement. Who the heck would?
There is no appetite for offering service credit so expect future 'buyouts' to be similarly structured with similar effect (those already retiring will pick it up on the way out the door).
@1:35 AM
I was an atr for 4 years. yeah it can be difficult at times but over all i had a smooth ride.
I've landed a job that i enjoy.
dont let other peoples scare tactics dictate your decisons.
Follow your heart.
if you want to leave(because of youre own expeniences) leave.
if you want to stay in teaching(sounds like you are happy- or at least content) STAY>
If the DOE offers me a million, I'll gladly retire early.
Or just let me do my damn job. That works too.
To 1:35 My advice to you is to wait and see for next year. I believe we have a final straw once we get a new chancellor in here. Farina needs to go as she really is in way over her head and she really has not done anything to help change the ugly climate that exists within the DOE schools.
Maybe, and do mean just maybe, we might acquire a chancellor who understands the dynamics of education and the quality of teachers - not just money - and we might possibly see a significant change in our livelihoods. A new chancellor also needs to clean up the swamp that currently exists within the DOE - yeah we all know they are the bloomberg clones but they also really need to go. SO, wait and see and I believe things can get better as one learns that things in life are cyclical and maybe we might be approaching an upturn for our livelihoods. If not, well then lets all get the fuc out of here.
I was visiting the union 2 years ago. I was sitting at a desk
waiting for someone and the conversation from the union
workers I Heard. They thought I worked there.
One worker said "all teachers who brought up on 3020A charges
should be fired because they are incompedent and should
be fired."
Another worker said "all ATRs should be fired because
they are all incompedent.
I could not believe what I was hearing.
There was so many workers conversing.
To 1:35 AM
I am soon to retire and even with all the difficult years I have had, I have to say YES it is worth it. Now that the Con Con was defeated, my pension is secure for two decades. Very few careers even give a pension anymore and I feel so good that I have one. You have ten years in and you should max out your TDA contributions. I'm sure your spouse doesn't have any plan with 7% compounded interest! If you did this, you would have millions when you retire, which you can leave to your kids! Speaking of kids, it was so great when I was raising mine to have the same calendar, even though I taught summer school every year... I am guessing you have your 30 above, if not, get it quick. You can explore a second career when you're 55. But most of all, I look back at many kids where I made a real difference in their education and their lives. This really is a very rewarding job!
IN light of Janus, and the UFT perhaps wanting to keep getting our dues , it should be hoof them to resurrect that law suit against the DOE for age discrimination on behalf of ATRs. They won't of course nor will they work to end Fair Student Funding. It's a racket.
There are several names for the next chancellor out there.
Cashin is a life long educator. What do you guys think about her?
Who would be the best choice for us?
You think there is going to be a buyout?
For all or just for ATRS?
To 1:35 - you have 10 years, that means you have to do another 15. you can leave once you get 25 and do something else until you reach 55. Sounds like you are in a good school so why leave if you still like it? If you don't like it, then leave with a good rating. You could always come back - I think there is like a 5 year right of return - not sure about it but maybe someone here knows about it. If you are in it for the pension, stay. It is worth it. Maybe wait til you get your retro $$. max out TDA. Take some trips - no other job will provide this amount of time off.
the other hand - this is a dead end job in a dying field under constant attack. Special Ed is extremely difficult if u teach self contained. If you can do something else and make good money that you like, leave. There is so much more to work and life than the toxic DOE.
ATR'S are treated like dogs....I'm so sorry my school closed....now as a result I'm in the doghouse. People that beat heir 3020a charges or won court cases against the board of ed are also placed as ATRS. Makes no sense. This is the most embarrassing institution in the country. Don't even get me started on the UFT who is in cahoots with the DOE. How fk'n corrupt can these deadbeats be?! They have no shame....the corruption is clear as day. Try asking A UFT head or rep a question that backs him or her up against a wall regarding the uft corruption...they all have the same approach...freeze for a second...give you a generic BS answer along the lines that if you didn't have a union you wouldn't be employed...or just be glad you have a job as an ATR. This generic reply must be rehearsed in their closed door union meetings. It can't be a coincidence...it's impossible! Corrupt pieces of $HIT(I hate to offend the word $hit)!
To 1:35, I also think similarly to you. I just passed 10 years as tier 4, and the peace of mind knowing I will have health benefits when I am old is priceless. I hear your misgivings about the DOE. It truly is an evil place to work, and even the 'joy of the students' is passing away as the kids get worse and worse.
With that said, 12:34 makes some great points. Good pensions are harder to come by. 401K plans are garbage and won't help you much. Your year follows the calendar any kids you have will follow. TDA is an awesome deal. If no one is really bothering you now, thank heaven for that and keep on working and banking the dough.
Really, for what we are asked to do ,the pay is not bad. The paperwork is beyond unreasonable, but we are not laying bricks in the hot sun. There are shortcuts.
I insulated my soul from the evils by learning to care less and take pride in what I can do, rather than in the unreasonable expectations and impossible situations we are put in. Keep your outside hobbies. Invest and buy properties at some point. This is just a job, and the pay is better than most.
As of Today I am retired. I put my papers in yesterday. Walking out of 65 Court Street, knowing that I am free of the DOE was liberating!!!!!!! As an ATR for the past few years, I could not be placed in a school, not because I wasn't wanted by them, it was due to the fact that I would cost them too much money. For the most part I became a glorified sub, or a babysitter. In my career I have taught and helped so many kids in this city. The Reformy methods and the idea that what teachers have done in the past "doesn't work anymore, is a complete load of BS. Chaz has pointed out to us beautifully all of the pitfalls and lies and corruption and cronyism of the DOE. I hope it gets better, I can now put this behind me. I wish everybody success, stay strong and stay healthy!!!!
Wow! I am so happy for you 5:15!
It is important to know that if you are using 25/55 you need both the age and the number of years worked in order to receive your pension at 55. If you leave earlier,you will revert back to the regular regulations. One needs to understand clearly all the rules and unfortunately the UFT does a fine job of NOT explaining these programs properly.
It's only a principals' true win if they can have experienced teachers in the room helping the kids truly learn, bring up the scores and truly make them college ready. Their freedom to hire all newbie staff is only a short term win.
To 5:15 AM: MAZEL TOV on your retirement! I felt the same feeling of liberation when I made the 3-point rounds to file for retirement. My actual feeling was being let out of an airless windowless cell into the sunlight after several years of daily degradation and targeted humiliation as an ATR. A lot of kids learned science because of me. And not only science; I also tried to be a role model of moral behavior for these kids living without any moral compass save the TV. I listened patiently to every crying student with a "He done me wrong" story, even if it took up my lunch period. I filed complaints when I thought a kid was being abused, and saved a couple of them from it. I took kids on field trips and purchased materials for exciting hands-on activities with my own money. We see how the DOE appreciated my efforts.
You are absolutely correct in your assessment that "Reformy" methods, including commie core, are a load of nonsense. For the history of mankind, lectures were effective means of passing on knowledge to the next generation. We ourselves learned that way. But suddenly, it's no good? Baloney. Suddenly, you have students unable to write, to reason, and without any desire to know more than the street corner offers. They don't have the ability to sit, listen, decide what are the critical points and write those down, so they have to be educated, according to the ivory tower "reformers", like babies, spoon-fed and coaxed. What a shame they don't recognize the big "diss" that is to them. And what a shame they don't appreciate old-school teachers who know what's what.
Go and have some fun now, 5:15. Explore things you never had time for in previous years. Take some free courses, many of which are offered by companies like Apple and B&H Photo. Go spend some quality time in a beautiful warm clime. You certainly deserve it. Well done!
@11:17 My wife and I have much to look forward to, thank you for the well wishes. We plan to travel and spend time with our Kids! Not knowing what to do with my time is not a problem. I wish you the best too.
Totally correct together with the corrupt UFT.
Next Chancellor will be corrupt also.
Did you get harassed by Field Supervisors?
to 4:38 -- Trust me - Cashin is no bargain.
If you can tolerate: not being able fail students who need to be failed;being targeted if you decide to speak up and having your "colleagues" turn their backs on you and the UFT not providing any real support, I would say stay. If you don't think you can tolerate the above and worse,I would suggest you leave now. I think you can still collect on your 10 years of service when you're at retirement age. Good luck
11:17...you sound like a teacher who would have made my heart sing. I am sure you have many students in a better position in life for having you as their teacher and model. Good luck to all retirees
Cashing is a very bright and accomplished admimistrator. If she were Chancellor you wouldn't notice a bit of difference between her and Farina
My fourth year as an ATR, people do look at you differently. But, to be honest, I'd rather be an ATR than stuck in some crappy environment. Teaching isn't what I thought it'd be. It's frustrating knowing how good you are and yet, you aren't being utilized.
It's annoying when people you relied on don't back you up, or help you get positions, but clearly help others who are in the same situation. I could be bitter, but what will that solve? I'm on my own, so I just have to establish my own path.
I will gladly support any of my fellow ATR's. Like I tell the kids, ATR stands for AWESOME TEACHER! We are an elite group of specialty teachers. Like the Green Berets.
If you win a 3020A you will not be forced place.
you would remain an ATR for the rest of your career.
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