The point of the journey is not to arrive--Peart, Neil 1987I'm still on, and might be for the rest of my career, on the strange journey as an ATR. This was not only the weirdest school year I had experienced, but thanks to my suspension, the shortest.
But I now can take a deep breath of relief and know that I got through this year. I received an S for the year. It did not come easy. I had to learn to roll with the punches and adapt. Adapt to new schools, new students, new administrators, new districts, new everything. I had some rocky points here and there and it would have been easy to revert, but I persevered.
But there will be no complacency from me. I know starting in September the previous year's slate is wiped clean and I have to do it all over again.
The worse part, and my wife believes this is a double penalty, is that my summer pay has been affected. This I knew was coming and at least the DOE was kind enough to spread my pay evenly through the summer checks.
But I started Summer School on Friday and the loss of the summer pay will be negated by the pay I get for the summer.
What got me through this year was a wonderful support system led by my wife. She will always tell me that God will put you in the right place and see what is right. Those words helped this part time agnostic.
Other people that I believe I owe a multitude of thanks of just being an ear and voice I can go to or to talk me off the precipice are (in no particular order), Norm Scott, Mindy Rosier, Peter Lamphere, Jonathan Halabi, Jia Lee, The MORE Caucus, Chaz, my DL, Amy Arundell, Betsy Combier, Jay the ATR I met at my first assignment, a lot of good teachers I met at the various schools, James Eterno, Mike Schirtzer, Sparkles, Kathy Perez, Laurie Luft, the real ATR Support Group on Facebook, and I am sure there are countless others.
One more thing. There are still too many ATR's who are going through hell. Not only do we as teachers need to support them, but the union does as well. Thankfully, there seems to be some good news on the horizon for everyone.
The point of departure, is not to return--Peart, Neil 1987
Glad you made it. I thank all of your support network, including a shout out to your wife. I know how very hard it is.
ReplyDeleteThere is a "fake" ATR support group verses a "real" ATR support group? I'm curious....do tell!
ReplyDeleteIt's been my pleasure taking this trip down the rabbit hole with you. I'm sure we will continue to be there for each other moving forward. Thanks for being my cell phone car pool companion on many drives home from work and for your support during my lawsuit. And definitely kiss your wife - you can't take for granted that your spouse will be supportive. Mine left when the situation got too rocky.
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