Making a report against an aide i caught putting hands on a special needs student who wouldn't dress for P.E. and the head teacher in turn made a false report against me getting me written up. It was a total lie! So i got punished for doing the right thing.
Working at a school is a calling, so, by all means, do so if you feel that way, but do NOT start work until the BEGINNING of the school year, to receive the proper salary amount.
My biggest mistake was not knowing how the County Board actually paid the salary. Had I known they would only pay half the year due to my mid-year hire date, and that they would divide that 5 months over an 8-month period to stretch from Jan to Aug, it's very likely I would not have accepted the position. That sort of payroll practice should be made clear at the interview, in all fairness. I had worked a whole month before finding this out!
I worked with some fantastic students and wonderful, supportive co-workers.