So I haven't been around much lately because my job is full of deadlines.  I write anywhere between 4000 and 7000 words a day, create 20 or so graphics, design assignments and tests, and do hours of research.  I format, edit, and proofread. It doesn't seem like a lot... but it's more time consuming than it sounds.

Ironically, I've been thinking for the past couple of days that I couldn't wait to meet my next deadline this week.... so that I could create a thread about all the positive stuff going on in my life.  My new job is GREAT!!!!!  I've never felt so needed and useful.  I have been consistently picked as one of the top three performers of this job, teachers are always asking me to come to their schools to help them (ME specifically), I get asked to lead workshops just about every week, and the writing team is always pulling me out of my office to get my advice.    My coworkers are always telling me that I should be hired JUST to help them out, instead of writing alongside them.  My three bosses told me I'm a leader, and that they appreciate my work. Heck, even the Chief Academic Officer thought I had experience at this job and that I was a part of the pilot project (I wasn't).  For the first time in a long.... long time, I feel appreciated. I feel like not only do I have something to say.... but that what I have to say is valuable.

But this morning, I got news that it is all about to change.  Two of our three bosses were fired and escorted out of the building on the 12th of this month.  They paid $4500 for one of them to move here, and the other one had JUST moved here from Atlanta to work with us.  But apparently, there were a few issues twisted way out of proportion, questions were raised, the state got involved... and bam... they were gone.

Guess who one of the main instigators of these problems was?  My old principal. ha!  I get away from her and she STILL finds a way to haunt me!

I miss my old bosses, but lets step aside from that for a moment.

I figured they would keep us curriculum writers aboard at least through the year.  I mean... they told all the teachers throughout the district that these guides were necessities.... to forget about all other guides.  That should be job security, right?  What would they tell the teachers if they got rid of us before the end of the year?  "Hey, I know it's only 9 weeks in, but forget everything we told you. And oh yeah.. you don't have any guides for the rest of the year, so do your own thing."  Do you know the uproar that would cause?

But as it turns out... I guess that is exactly their plans. My (remaining) boss came in to update me today. She told me that the old ARI coaches (people that use to technically hold our title) filed lawsuits.  They thought us being hired was unfair. Additionally, I guess a grant was used to hire us, and that grant says that we are supposed to be in classrooms supporting teachers 100% of the time.

So what does this mean?  It means that most likely, I will be removed from this position in a couple of weeks and placed in the position of a teacher's aid.  I found something that made me feel strong and incredible and confident.... and now I most possibly will be moved to a position I wanted a break from.

I have been so great at remaining positive about things, but this latest bit of news has me feeling quite down.  I don't want to feel down, but the crushing news has got me.

I was SOOO glad when I heard you got a new job, but this news isn't that good. I don't know how good a teacher's aid positions is. But I am sure that it wouldn't be as good as what you have been doing. I do hope that this will get cleared up, without a job change etc. I hope that maybe you can get rehired as your current position! (If that even works, I don't know...  )

I will be praying that everything gets cleared up, without any additional problems!

Well that does stink.  I was just thinking what happened to Singelli last night and when I log on what do I see but a post from none other.  As I was reading the post I was thinking well good for you things are going your way (and who doesn't like that?).  Then bam.  You know we are all here for you and maybe things will work out better than you think.  I've put a hit out on your old principal so you needn't worry about that anymore jk.  It is nice to hear from you even though it wasn't the best of news and I send some love and prayers your way.

Greg aka fightorace

The more I think about it, the sadder I'm getting.  I mean... I guess there MIGHT be one positive thing... maybe I will have more free time.

However, if they move us, they will be putting us in random classrooms as 'teacher support'... or more officially... as ARI coaches.  I don't have a single clue what ARI coaches do, nor do I have the experience. So from what my boss was saying, we will be more like glorified teacher's aides.  It's just an insult and doesn't give me a break from the classroom like I wanted.  Not to mention the diminished respect I will likely receive.  It doesn't feel great to know you're being tossed around for legal reasons.

darthyoda, as far as getting rehired in this position.. it's impossible.  Our program is unique to the state, and it's being completely shut down due to all this nonsense.

warmaker :
rcarter2 :
thephantombrain :
I forgot to summon you.

tRIUNE :
This is why I haven't done as much even after I told you I would.  As for as I know, tomorrow is the last day of us working, however.  So October should be better.

You gained a great deal of experience working in that role, as well as apparently being picked up on by others for being good at it.
I would consider trying to find a similar role elsewhere. By the sounds of it you would easily be able to obtain good references, and perhaps work for a probational period.
Whether for another state, or in another occupancy, centralising teaching curriculum's is not new.

What you have done is so valuable to you and all the people who will be effected by it that you should feel proud about it.

I must admit, my heart did sink when I read you will probably loose that job. But it isn't 100% certain yet, and you don't know what that potential new job will really be, life is full of turns, but one thing that stays the same if you. And remember, like thenumberone said, your experience in that work is invaluable! You've made great connections and a good name for yourself, on top of developing great skills... it will benefit you.

Don't throw in the towel... your career is always changing, and there will be great opportunities in the future.

Woah, didn't see that coming. I'm really not sure how they think this will be a beneficial change at all, it'll certainly be a waste of a lot of talent in your department and a setback for all teachers in your school district. More specifically, though, it's a really sucky and unfair degradation to your investment and invaluable dedication to the job. Not only are they going back on a commitment they made, but they're also disrespecting you and the work you've done. That's utterly ridiculous, and I can't believe they'd willingly lose such a valuable asset.

I truly am sorry. Are there possibly other positions you could apply to move to, that are similar to your current one? No doubt they know you, and know your investment to the schools, so (as the#1 and LK said) your reputation will be a huge boost to any attempts to move into another job that doesn't require classroom time. On that note, I'm not sure how close you are to the next school district, but perhaps they have similar openings there?

Also, we needa have a good conversation soon.

I saw you post about this on Facebook, and I thought it was messed up. At least you are still going to have a job when this one no longer exists until they figure out where to put you. 

I think you've learned a lot from this job. Even if it is different now, I think you'll be more adequately prepared for whatever comes from now on. I really hope this situation is resolved well. It sounds to me like the folks who want to dock you are relying too much on the letter of the law. I hope they shape up so that many schoolchildren (and you) are not let down.

Singelli :

I don't know what your religious beliefs are but as a Christian I will be praying for you. I know what it is like to be in a hostile work setting having new people come in and all that jazz. Remember I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. 

That really does suck. I was happy to see that your streak of negative events was turning around. We talk a LOT less since I got my new job and you got yours, but you seemed more happy than I have ever seen you.

I know that you were wanting to break from teaching for now, but I thin that you should try looking at the bright side if you do get moved to a teacher's aid. If you do get moved to teacher's aid, it won't be the same as your job last year.

As a teacher's aid, managing all the kids will not all be on your shoulders. If you are in a class with behavior remotely like the ones you had last year, it isn't all on you. Dealing with the parents who just love to yell at the teacher or go to the principal behind the teacher's back will not be yours to handle. Lesson plans will not be your responsibility (unless you are helping the teacher, which is still less stressful). If kids are failing, it doesn't reflect poorly on your. It SHOULD still be far less stressful than what you dealt with last year.

The main thing that might suck is the pay. I don't know if they are going to pay you less for moving to that position. I don't know how it works where you live. Here, you are under contract, and they can't just reduce your pay. One of the few exceptions to that is if you forget to renew your license and it expires, but that is because the school district is not allowed to pay someone without a current license the salary of a licensed teacher. But that is how it is here. Might be different there.

That's too bad.  But what's happening is outside of your control.

There's one thing I learned in life:  You can't worry about things outside of your control because they're outside your control and you can't do anything about them.  You also can't worry about things you control because you control them and you can do things about them.

If you aren't happy with what's happening, make a move.  Start looking at your experience you amassed while working on the project and put that into resume form.  Talk to the boss or manager you trust and ask them what they would do if they were in your position.  Get some idea of what else is available and where you can go for alternate (better) employment.  

Take charge of your life, basically.  Start planning for something different or new if you aren't excited about what you're currently doing.

Don't just say, "Okay, this is what's happening," unless you really don't mind it.  Go out and attack and make a change if you're genuinely unhappy.

I just thought about this, but do you know anything about your job now? Do you know if you have any job security? I know that's a big deal for you, and quite frankly, it would be a pretty big deal for me as well. 

Kelli, I pretty much told you about my thoughts so no need to repeat, I guess.

So I'm just going to say this, no need to be sad, okay? I know you loved this job and it was something god has blessed you with, but Satan still wants to attack you with all his might. Don't let Satan control you. Sure it's heartbreaking to go back to teaching (somewhat ) if that's where they'll place you, but you gotta think about more positively. Maybe god wants you to be more social? xD

Sorry, 2:30 and mind is numb. I know I'm horrible at praising but give me some slack, I'm dead tired haha.

Wow, the beginning of the post was so positive, but, life just has a way of changing its mind, I guess. I know we don't really know each other, but this really made me feel bad. All you can do now is hold your head up high and try your hardest in whatever happens. Maybe you can refind happiness down the road after all.

Your old boss... She's like the villain in some novel that just keeps popping up more powerful than ever and at the most inopportune moments.

As someone that has experienced the highs and lows of your existence through these written words that we all share, all I can really say is, that's life. You know quite a bit about me and you know how I can relate to > everything is smooth sailing and then suddenly, iceberg dead ahead! Your post and all that came before it reminds me of a quote by Harlan Ellison.

"I know that pain is the most important thing in the universes. Greater than survival, greater than love, greater even than the beauty it brings about. For without pain, there can be no pleasure. Without sadness, there can be no happiness. Without misery, there can be no beauty. And without these, life is endless, hopeless, doomed and damned."

If it's your time to take another dose of the harsh medicine, then do it with fierce determination. Be determined that any sadness that might be heading your way is only there to remind you of how sweet the happiness is.

I feel really, really bummed.
I mean... super bummed. I am having a hard time doing anything other than sitting here at my table.

I guess it's true and I guess all of my team will be relocated into the schools.  Today the human resources department started calling all of the curriculum writers to some meeting room. I wasn't called today for some reason, but about half of our team was.  Apparently, the HR is trying to cajole us into entering classrooms as teachers. Legally, they can't force us into such a transition, but if they can get us to agree, it's a green light.  None of us want to teach this year though because we weren't hired to teach. When the HR saw that my coworkers would not budge, they asked them about fulfilling the roles of ARI coaches.  My teammates told the questioners that we have no experience in the field, and ..... from what I understand.... the powers-that-be said they would get us some training?

Whatever is up with our jobs... we will not know details until Friday or next Monday. Over a month of waiting... and they still have us hanging by ropes.

I feel so completely demotivated. I'm sure they will talk to me tomorrow and I will tell them what everyone else has said: I don't want to be put in a classroom to teach until this contract is legally over.

However, I'm not looking forward to the transition. First of all, there is no way I will be put back into my old school because they have excelling kids who don't need help reading.  This means I will be placed in one of the dangerous schools (all but my old school are dangerous and full of gangs).  I will also likely have a long commute unless they assign me to the closest high school. I somehow doubt they will be so considerate.

Aside from physical transitions... what about the mental transition?  I don't know how the mind works when it learns how to read.  I don't think any training is going to give me insight into helping kids be stronger readers.  Plus, if I'm truly honest, I don't think anyone is going to care about training us.  Right now, we are simply an obstacle that needs to be put to the side.  I worry that I will be useless after training, or not really trained and uselessly tossed about.  Being a 'secretary' wouldn't be so bad, but .... it's still frustrating me.

I mean, I've written about 200,000 words (500+pages), designed dozens of graphics, trained dozens of teachers, and spent countless hours researching stuff.  Four months of hard work is just being measured as completely useless. We don't even get to finish the project because of how corrupt the system is.  I'm so tired of being screwed over by bad politics and people that don't care if our students reach high expectations.  I put my heart and soul into this work.  I've always thought I was good at my job, but before, ... that wasn't recognized.  I've gotten recognition, which means my pride in my work has completely different potential. It makes me feel good, confident, and valuable.  I feel like all of that is being ripped away from me.

I actually missed a deadline almost a month ago.  Since then, I've hardly been online because I've been trying to catch up on it.  I've been working at home and at the office nonstop.  I finally have all but two documents done, and amazingly, I've eluded notice.  Now, I have to say that I don't even feel like starting the last two. I doubt anyone is going to even notice, and if they do, it's not like they can do anything with the project being dismantled, right?  I just can't see myself exhausting more of my energy and time, because I'm so angry at the whole situation.

It is truly a frustrating situation. My advice is that when you're called to testify you should give them highlights from paragraphs 6 and 7.

Someone also needs to ask the tough questions. Like, If the district and taxpayers just invested all this time, effort and most importantly, money into 4 months of this, then shouldn't someone be held accountable to finish the project. Also, if the district can't finish projects that it starts, what kind of example does that set for the students?

About the 2 papers, if you tie your shoes before you go running then EVENTUALLY you'll trip over them. The evil super villain ex-principal still lurks in the shadows somewhere. Don't give her or anyone else ammunition to shoot at you with in the future. Take a break tonight but...

It really sucks that moving is not an option. It just seems that the district you are in is not going to get any better, and will continue to treat their staff poorly when convenient. I really think the best thing for you is to not work in that district. But I know that personal life makes that not an option, which is just overall sucky for you.

I want you to be happy. But right now, I just don't see that happening working in such a poorly run district. It makes all the difference. For example, the school I work in has a very high truancy problem, behavior problems, lack of discipline and parent involvement with most of the students, fairly high poverty, not very high achieving students overall, etc. The kids have a high sense of not having to do anything they don't want to, and a majority have little respect for any authority. The classes are a handful, to say the least. But I really enjoy working here because I feel supported by our administrators, they do everything they can to deal with the trouble makers to make things easier for the teachers, I am surrounded by other science teachers who help me get acclimated to this new environment and new content (I haven't taught these particular classes before) without hesitation. The support from the superiors and the awesome assistance I get from other staff makes all the classroom issues I am trying to figure out not seem so bad.

rcarter2 :  Again, I do agree with you. I've told people many times that I wished I could move and work for another district. However, with Jason constantly moving in and out of jobs, and now starting college... and finances and this and that and yadda yadda.... it really is impossible.  It seems like every time the district starts to do something good... it gets torn apart and destroyed.

I found something out today, too.... since my coworkers said they won't go to the classroom, the board tried offering 'incentives'. They offered some of the writers $5000 to move back into the classroom.... but legally our contracts will not allow for that.  My coworkers stood their ground, but $5000 is also nothing to them.  It's tempting for me, but I want to stand with my coworkers and I also don't want to go back into the classroom until next year.  I have enjoyed this respite.

Now the board has to decide if they are going to train us or what.....

They haven't even called me or my officemate.  I'm thinking we aren't going to know what is going on until the new payroll gets printed after their weekly meeting tonight.  :/