Retired Chapter Leader Slams UFT in Eval Deal, ATRs and Support for RTTT

The UFT claims we should be treated the same as regular teachers but they seem to have abandoned us and are sliding away from all members concerns....I and several others approached Amy, Jose and the other UFT leaders at the one ATR meeting and expressed our desire to contribute to the UFT our unique perspectives and substantiated concerns about violations to our contract. The UFT was not interested and they were informing us to be glad that our jobs had been saved.

..... An ATR

From a recently retired chapter leader:

Dear Norm,

It is with such trepidation, felt by many, that the implementation of the new teacher evaluation will be enforced in the 2013-2014 school year.  I just read Lynne Winderbaum’s posting in JD2718.org and wondered if the ATRs will be unfairly evaluated.  They are not assigned to a roster of students for an entire year so as to determine if there was an actual 20% growth measure.  How will they be evaluated and will it be fair?

I received an email from an ATR who was very concerned about the implications that the new teacher evaluation might have on her and others in the ATR pool.

She writes:

“I have found that many schools DO NOT have chapter leaders or they DO NOT introduce themselves to the ATR. I have called the UFT and spoken to several different people and I have found that they gave me the advise to FIND the chapter leader or come in and speak to someone at the UFT. I find this very disheartening since we are only there for five days and we need immediate action. Also I and several others approached Amy, Jose and the other UFT leaders at the one ATR meeting and expressed other desire to contribute to the UFT our unique perspectives and substantiated concerns about violations to our contract. The UFT was not interested and they were informing us to be glad that our jobs had been saved. The UFT has a worth of information that can be gathered from ATRs that can attest to the issue that many members face at various schools. it is not the word of one but of  different weekly members observing the conditions. We have not been included in any meaningful PDs or training's on the new standards but are expected to apply for employment in schools implementing these new directives. So sorry to take the long way to answer your question but I felt that needed my insight. Thanks for your continued service.”

Another situation that she encountered in travel from school to school was the following:

” As an ATR I have observed and been subject to the followings things at different schools.;

    1. NO BATHROOM KEYS

    2. NO ELEVATOR KEY

    3. LUNCH TIME SHORTER THAN CLASS ROOM TIMES

    4. BEING GIVEN CLERICAL DUTIES

    5. BEING GIVEN ALL DAY HALL DUTY

    6. NOT GIVEN ASSIGNMENTS FOR STUDENTS IN VARIOUS SUBJECTS

    7. BEING TOLD TO CLOCK IN OR SIGN IN TIME OF ARRIVAL.

Finally ATRs could have been used by the UFT to develop a comprehensive complaint to fight the DOE. ATRs have documents and have experienced the various systems that exist that do NOT comply with UFT or DOE regulations. The UFT had one meeting in October 2012 and NOTHING since then pertaining to ATRs. We also have received NO training in the new standards or the Danielson "experiment". ATRs are experienced professionals and can contribute to the STRENGTH of the dissolving commitment of the UFT. The UFT claims we should be treated the same as regular teachers but they seem to have abandoned us and are sliding away from all members concerns.”

I have not heard anything on how the new teacher evaluation will be utilized if you’re an ATR.  But, I truly hope that the union leadership’s decision to apply for the RttT money and the June 1^stimposition of the new teacher evaluation does not adversely hurt the members who are more than just union dues.