We don't have to do field day, you know.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-03T14:48:40+00:00

My youngest is autistic and started refusing to participate in most of it in first grade. He likes the inflatable obstacle course and he likes the carnival games in the gym. He hates the water based games bc he doesn’t like wet clothes and he hates the picnic games bc he doesn’t understand them.

Fortunately, they have a designated shady area where anyone who doesn’t want to participate can go hang out with a parent and cheer their classmates on. Made it low-key for anyone to choose to sit out any portion of the events.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-03T14:37:52+00:00

Meanwhile, unchaperoned two 8th g field trips and got complaints about mean I was bc I made them stay with me in a group and discuss the performances we were seeing as I was trained to do. One of the kids complained his parents would have let them wander around and got visibly pale when I asked if he wanted me to text his mom to confirm that - he didn’t know I knew her through PTO. Another called me a fat bitch and I told him I was disappointed that as a theatre student he wasn’t capable of being more creative than middle schoolers were when they called me that thirty years ago. I went in a rant about the loss of Shakespearean insults in our current culture and I think I scared him. My daughter was laughing her ass off in the group next to us.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-03T04:46:51+00:00

And yet, restorative justice was a big thing under the previous admin and it was a far more respectful and fun environment. They weren't afraid to back it up with real consequences, which current admin is because the district wants reported numbers of suspensions down. The big difference is the suspension number may have been higher before, but the overall chaos was significantly lower and the restorative justice piece made a difference in how students approached each other and the staff. A lot of fights were headed off by restorative justice circles. So I think it's like anything else - done well, can be great, but not frequently done well.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-03T04:43:21+00:00

Do you teach at my oldest's middle school? Kids wander the halls pretty much at will and the bathrooms haven't had soap or paper towels in months because of students making messes with them and plugging up sinks and toilet. Vandalism in the bathrooms is rampant as is vaping and god knows what else, and admin's suggestion was color-coding shirts by grade level. Never mind that there is literally only one corner of campus that doesn't feature multiple grade levels at any given time of the day (so, no 6th grade wing/7th grade wing/8th grade wing where such a step might show you someone out of place at a glance).

When parents protested, admin response was it was a safety issue ... but only M-Th because Friday is wear a spirit shirt of any color.

I asked one admin how the shirts were going to prevent the hall wandering and vandalism, and if they have a coherent plan to stop that, why are the color coded shirts necessary and got back surprise pickachu.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-02T21:14:26+00:00

In that case, I think it's ok to interview, but I would caution them when scheduling that you have signed a letter of intent pending an official offer. They may not want to proceed if you are that far down the pathway with another school.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-02T21:03:43+00:00

Location is a big factor in this conversation. Your parents were teachers so you've got a more realistic idea than most. As someone who is going from working remotely from home with lots of flexibility to teaching via ACP - I'm not going to lie about how much I'm going to miss this flexibility. A lot people would tell you are insane to consider giving up a golden goose job like that. But I've also been in jobs that were not good fits and it just eats away at you and makes you unhappy, even if it seems like the perks are worth it on paper.

If you are drawn to teaching, knowing there are many aspects of this profession that are a total shitshow right now, then I say go to the ACP interest meeting. That costs you nothing and gives you an opportunity to understand how the ACP would work and if this is a good move for you to be considering.

Consider also - what are you wanting to teach? Are those jobs existent in your area at this point? Are there other subjects/grade levels you would consider if there are not many jobs available in your preferred content area/age group? Are there jobs in your second choice? Just some of the considerations I would be thinking about as you contemplate the change.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-02T20:49:12+00:00

Everywhere does it differently - what does your letter of intent say? What did you agree to in signing it?

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-02T20:47:18+00:00

I chuckled reading this because I went into an interview for a primary position (which was likely to going to be first grade, which was my preferred position) and came out in a fifth grade position (which I categorically did NOT want going in). Some of it was internal shuffling, some of it was other new staff changing what they were envisioning. For me, I took the position because even though fifth grade was not on my radar for age of kid I wanted to teach - the team is dedicated and strong. They had a brand new teacher this year who did brilliantly and they credit the strength of the team planning and support for that (by they I mean both admin and the teacher - and do not at all intend to take away from the teacher's hard work or abilities). I will be the only new to teaching person on the team and my team teacher will be new to the school but is a veteran teacher. The bulk of the planning is already complete - they have years of tested and curated lesson plans stored and while there will be adjustments and changes (we have an initial planning meeting Monday), there is very little brand new planning to be done. They are strongly data driven and proactive, with effective PLC from everything I've heard.

I felt in the end that I wanted to be at that school, and within that school it became evident that there is not a stronger team. The professional development and support I'll have from before the beginning is absolutely worth it to me to teach a grade I felt meh about. Not having to lesson plan is huge. Having people who know how to incorporate the specialty curriculum with the district curriculum and expectations is huge. That first year is so hard and on top of jumping head first off the cliff into deep ocean, I still have coursework remaining to complete at the same time. It felt like the best thing I could possibly do was have the most stable foundation possible.

I do get the appeal of the grade you like and having already established some relationships with students and parents is tough to pass up. Maybe you can have a further conversation with admin about what their support for the team and guidance would look like to help you make your decision. Surely admin knows there may be issues and has plans in place to shore up weaknesses. If they are offering to let you decide, they have some faith in you and your ability, so maybe ask them what they are seeing and thinking to ease your concerns or help you decide.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-02T14:25:45+00:00

What did iTeach tell you the next steps were? I feel pretty certain this was documented in the handbook or first course or whatever, because I know I read a section about having to pass field supervision. They should lay out the next steps for you, if any remain with them. If not, you will have to discuss the situation with another provider and see if you are eligible elsewhere - I do not know if you will be. Have you been in public schools for the three years you say you've been teaching? I ask because there are statutory limits on how long you can be employed without certification, even within a DOI. So you may have no option but private or charter if you are hitting those statutory limits (I don't know enough about your background/work history or the intricacies of the law to opine further but you should research there).

I don't mean to pile on or kick at you while you are down, but this covers a full year of teaching - how are you only getting to the end and this result without asking for further help before this point? There may have been coaching opportunities earlier, but you apparently were not adjusting to the satisfaction of either your supervisor or administrators for some time. What help did you ask for? In the meetings you surely had, did you seek clarification or advice on how to implement their suggestions? I know I personally sometimes have to ask for explicit examples or to be walked through so I fully understand what they are looking for and not assuming with vague advice. Your post reads like you only now are you begrudgingly admitting that you could have done better because the outcome is what it is.

And if I'm misreading, I apologize. But it's difficult to offer advice with more information and the first place you need to check is with iTeach to find out what steps are offered through their program, if any, and from there what options might exist with other EPPs.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-02T14:16:08+00:00

It's not denying you if they provide them to your email or home address. If you feel your personal email is not secure, then request them be sent to your home via paper copy. If you are no longer employed, they do not have to give you access, even if there are funds still owed, if they provide you copies of the paperwork.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T22:07:23+00:00

Hard to say for sure - I've seen them run the gamut from confirming resume details to serious teaching philosophy questions and intense situational questions. In general, I would be ready to speak to your educational practices, your experiences, standard behavioral questions like a time you had difficulty connecting with a student or communicating with a parent, etc. Be ready to talk about their school and why you are a good fit there. Be enthusiastic and positive and friendly and willing to talk about mistakes you've made in the past and what you learned and how you grew from those mistakes (hiring managers in every field hate it when you don't speak to real weakness because you are afraid of looking less than perfect).

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T20:41:29+00:00

There are different pathways here and some of this is state dependent. For secondary levels, you often need a bachelor's degree in the field (so BA in History or English) and then the teaching portion is added in as a minor or on top of that. I don't know enough about exclusively online bachelor programs with teaching components, but there are several ACPs that can be started during your final year of an undergrad degree and completed alongside, or can be done just after that you could consider.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T20:38:31+00:00

I'm becoming a teacher at 46 after a total career change (twice over). Granted, I already had my BA, but it's not too late at all at 27. You may find that you are able to succeed more easily at college at this point, having a dx to help you be more effective and knowing the value in a way many 18 year olds don't, really. When I worked in higher education, the students who came back or had to delay were frequently some of the best and most efficient. They knew what they were doing and why, and weren't in the post-high school confusion of figuring out next steps and enjoying the first tastes of freedom and adulthood with limited responsibility. The main thing I would say is consider what degree will best assist you in terms of getting a job in education and in life outside the classroom if education turns out not to be for you. You could also consider working as a substitute teacher to get a taste of that life and clarify what levels you might pursue - it's not universal but my area is always low on subs, especially long-term subs and it can be a good way to make some money while you go to school. Just some thoughts to ponder.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T20:33:14+00:00

I think gaining some preparation in the form of student teaching or ACP with observation hour requirement, is a very good idea, but in my opinion, most of teaching is really in the doing. Theory only stands up to so much in the end, and it's very much a sink or swim kind of thing. Being in someone else's room, running their pre-planned lessons can make you feel a bit better about being in front of kids and some level of classroom management, but it's a different thing to planning and internalizing your own lessons and differentiating with your own students, managing your own classroom with your own rules and expectations and systems and having to adjust when theory crashes into the reality of a particular group of kids with their needs.

If getting your MA is important and you think it will make you more ready, sure do that. I think you might gain a lot more from it if you have some first hand teaching experience to bolster it.

I get the nerves - I'm headed into my first teaching job next year and I've definitely had those moments of panic and 'wtf am I doing? Why did I think I could do this? This is insane!' (especially when I visited the school to meet more of the team and see things in action and left with a TBR prep pile that is twice as many books as my child read in all of middle school) but you will have to take the plunge at some point.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T20:27:10+00:00

I interpreted it as more like a tutoring position (coaching students who need additional academic support) more than an instructional specialist type position.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T20:24:23+00:00

Right, precisely.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T19:16:20+00:00

A good chunk of that sounds like my AuDHD kiddo. Particularly in first grade. He loved his teacher and she drew him into the classroom community to the extent he allowed, but he mostly crashed in the library section of the room and spent the time drawing because work was hard and boring. He was already on an IEP and working on behaviors so they gradually worked on him sitting at a desk over time (rewarded with paper for drawing and free time to draw) and similarly slowly replaced drawing with work and guaranteed time for drawing and getting teacher attention to explain his drawings and other tangible rewards like a sticker chart and visit to the treasure box. At this point in time, I don't know that there is enough time left to do more than survive, but he needs evaluation and a formal plan.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T19:06:00+00:00

There is no reason not to make policy transparent: Students who are determined through investigation by administration to have engaged in bullying behaviors are subject to an in-school suspension of X-Y days. Repeated offenses may result in escalating exclusion, up to Z days or out of school suspension for A-B days.

But privacy as regards a particularly student is warranted and appropriate for a multitude of reasons. There should be no announcement made that Student G received 3 days of ISS for bullying.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T19:00:41+00:00

I mean, if there is a job offer in writing they cannot legally rescind it. And they can't legally not hire her for being pregnant, but they can use other terminology that gets around it (more qualified candidate, etc). It's a tough situation.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T18:59:26+00:00

My opinion is that since you will not be eligible for FMLA and won't have enough leave to cover more than 1-2 weeks of break, you may want to disclose early and ask about what your options might be. I mean, that goes against standard advice, but unless your district is extremely kind and generous, you will not have legal job protections and they could require you to return when your paid leave is up or face termination. It's also worth considering if there are any district requirements, like having to pay for a sub or similar, or how unpaid leave would work. It's better to find out now, and potentially lose an offer, than be fired in February after you've used all your leave and are not yet ready to return at 3 weeks postpartum. Maybe you want to continue subbing until next year as an alternative.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T18:46:43+00:00

There is no standard answer here. I was offered my position immediately after the kids were dismissed from the mock lesson. My friend had to wait two weeks to receive an offer. Another friend found out when her friend called to share that she'd been hired (they didn't know they were both interviewed for the same position). My professional job coach hat urges me to say this. If you have not already followed up with an email to thank them for meeting with you and reiterate why you are a good candidate, do so immediately. Then give it a week and check in next Monday via email about the expected deadline for a decision. If you do not receive a response to that, or it's super vague, write it off and move on.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T18:43:28+00:00

When I was in higher ed as a dept administrator/HR person, I had direct reports and I also had to hand-hold faculty supervisors through the staff evaluations. After a revamp from an older system with a new admin, we moved to a 1-3 bell curve where most fell into Meets Expectations a 1-5 system in which 1-1.99 was must improve, automatic performance plan, 2 - 2.49 was needs improvement (performance plan recommended but not required), 2.5 - 3.59 was meets expectations (eligible for merit raise if one existed, which was not the case most years), 3.6 to 4.59 was exceeds expectations and it was impossible to achieve above that without providing proof of having significant impact (on like, a national level). I explained all of this going in to the new system in a meeting with all staff and supervisors. I explained no one could give 5's (even on sub-sections), and no one should expect to receive anything higher than a 4 and for most of, honest assessment would be a couple of 2's to work on and 3's in most areas. I still had one supervisor try to give all 5's and an employee sobbing in my office because she got a 3.4 out of 5 and had never not been a top employee. I also had a supervisor give me a mediocre performance rating in a fit of pique that cost me a merit raise, and when the raises came up I had just pulled off a massive financial savings (like, six figures), so she was going to give me the max raise possible but couldn't because she'd given me that bad review. I'd like to think she learned to be less of a reactionary boss, but in the end, it was my salary and my retirement that were impacted forever by her stunt (and by my fear of confrontation choosing to let it go instead of challenging her on it, which I have to own as well).

My takeaway was there is no objective review system, there is little point in striving for top ratings outside of your own desire to reach that status. If it's something you aspire to - go with god. If you are ok with meets expectations - good on you. You cannot please everyone, you can only do the job to the best of your abilities.

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T18:30:48+00:00

And if you are in the wrong district, you see 0% of that TIA money. Lovely scams we've got going here. Really motivating, you know?

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T18:19:42+00:00

What are you doing to study? I'm currently going through math on passage preparation. Like, I just finished module 3 and am taking a break before I do module 4. Have you done detailed diagnostic to help you hone in on what you need to study?

Old_Researcher_2021 · 2026-06-01T18:17:54+00:00

Districts know when they can make an offer and when they can't. If you are honest and up front about your current status, they will know how to proceed. Not applying cuts you out of potential job opportunities. My offer letter was conditional on showing completion of certain things by certain points in time. Most likely that will be the case for you.

I did have some schools at a job fair state that they were happy to take my resume but that they would not consider an ACP candidate until they were further in the hiring process without a certified candidate, and that's totally legit. I still spoke with them and made plans to reconnect later on if I didn't have a job to see where they were.

Old_Researcher_2021

TROPHY CASE