hemmjo; my youngest daughter is beginning her 20th year as a teacher in primary school gr2 for her first 3 years and gr3 to date at the same ISD. 20 years ago when she did her year as an intern & substitute teacher the town where the ISD is located was considered a small town under 3,500 population now approaching 15,000. Still not considered a large city however the ISD is largely governed by policies of the much larger cities of the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex.
Many of the things she has told me of the changes in the way educators are now required to coddle the students, the as she puts it ludicrously dumbed down curriculum its a wonder children can learn anything at all. She has to bid each year to retain her position, the grade she wishes to teach and other things. The administration over the school system 10 years ago became so politically charged she almost decided to chuck it all and move on but she stuck it out. Now she is considered 1 of the most senior educators at the school where she teaches which affords her some latitude. With her continuing graduate and post graduate studies she says that she is preparing herself for the eventual day to move into admin after her 30 years are completed.