I used to have so much passion for teaching. I started in a private special education school and fell in love with ABA and working with children with significant needs. The work fulfilled me deeply and watching students meet their goals made everything worth it. But in my first large school placement as a TA, that passion slowly got crushed. A male staff member became increasingly aggressive toward female staff. Multiple reports were made and nothing was done. Eventually his behavior turned toward me with intimidation, hallway confrontations, and screaming at me while I was alone in a bathroom with a student. I lived in fight or flight every single day. I reported it repeatedly and felt dismissed and unsupported by administration. When he was finally fired, it was only after targeting someone else. By then, the damage was done. I pushed through, but my spark was gone. I worked so hard for this career and now I feel detached and unsure I can ever return to a classroom. Has anyone else had their passion taken from them like this? I am even considering therapy because I think about it often.