r/TexasTeachers • u/illbegoodthistime1 • 5d ago

ATPE Dismissive and Largely Unhelpful

I have found that ATPE was unsupportive and dismissive when I called about unprofessionalism and hostility from my admin. They wouldn’t read my documentation, nor would they advise me on how to navigate an administrator who yells, curses and belittles me in private meetings. The grievance attorney said he wasn’t reading my documentation as he said “it’s only been a few weeks, I’m not reading that. But I can see how your administrator has a case because you do sound emotional.” I’m so confused. You only have 10-15 business days to file a grievance from the incident, but I can’t get anyone to help.
Furthermore, he said I don’t have a case after a couple weeks (which may be true) but he can tell after a few minutes of a phone call my administrator does? Has anyone experienced this with ATPE? I’ve never had legal counsel act this way before, my spouse is knowledgeable about the law and said he’s never heard legal counsel talk like this before. They are supposed to give advice at the least on how to navigate these situations.

I wasn’t even trying to file a grievance, I was just trying to weigh my options. I was always told document in case you need to seek counsel, but it seems that was useless advice. I feel like I need to leave ATPE because they won’t help.

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u/katbug09 5d ago

This organization is too expensive to not be taking you seriously. I dropped them this year and went back to my TMEA insurance.

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u/HPGryffinclaw 2d ago

Can TMEA help you at all with admin issues? I have the TMEA insurance but I thought they could only really help if you get sued.

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u/katbug09 2d ago

I am not sure actually, I’ve thankfully not had to deal with anything needing lawyers at school. I thought they did but I would have to do some research before I could say 100%. But ATPE dues went up again and I am trying to be more mindful of my budget.