How Did Things Change So Much?

I remember when older, more experienced teachers were valued.  The principal of the first school I taught in did not want to release me to my new school because I was important to the school, I helped the kids succeed. When did things change? (I had taught 8 years then and he stopped releasing everyone who wanted to transfer.) Now, they can't push us out the door soon enough.

Tomorrow is another departmental conference.  Will I, or one of my contemporaries be the topic of the meeting?  Will we spend an entire period hearing how awful we are and how we do nothing right?

I remember asking my AP why Ms. H, Mr. L and Ms. E all got the best programs in the department.  He said they were near the end of their careers.  He wanted them to go out in a blaze of glory.  He promised my time would come.

How did things change so much?