Pros
-There are growth opportunities: if you stay for a couple of years, it is highly likely you will receive some sort of promotion and raise. -The teachers they hire tend to be incredible smart, hardworking and capable. You will not find this everywhere. -Professional development is overall very strong, although not at all differentiated to the needs and wishes of teachers. -There are great leadership opportunities. If you are offered the opportunity to be in Leadership Fellows like I was, definitely take advantage of the opportunity. It helped me learn a lot about myself as a teacher and as a leader, and it also helped me learn about struggles and problems across the Achievement First network. -Students do learn a lot.
Cons
-In my experience, kids were not treated with the kindness and understanding that they need and deserve. Most of the schools in AF use a color-changing behavior system which is very negative and based upon punishment. In my four years at AF, I saw the way color changes negatively impacted students' sense of self. Expectations for student behavior are extremely rigid and this is stressful for students and, from my perspective, results in further scholar misbehavior. -It can be an extremely stressful place to work. Teachers are taught to do "whatever it takes" which in theory is great. In actuality, it means that teachers are held responsible for everything. I have heard many teachers tell me - sometimes through tears - that they feel like their best is never enough. -Work-life balance is incredibly difficult. Teaches work VERY long hours. The school day is long and teachers at some schools have very little preps. Teachers will be "asked" to use their prep time to support coteachers, attend meetings, etc. Last year, I spent over half of the year with only a 30 minute break over the course of 10 hours with children. -There is lots of teacher turnover. In my three years at AF, I saw almost 20 employees resign their positions; over half of these employees quiet midyear. -Teachers are not given permission to be creative. As someone else's review mentioned, this is a very "one-size fits all" mentality. The best part of teaching is creating a classroom community that is authentic to you and your students. You are very rarely given the freedom to make even little decisions for your class (for example, even pencil passing out procedures are scripted for teachers). -I was never able to find a real outlet to express my concerns. I did not want to resign, but I ultimately felt I had no choice. Throughout my last year, I repeatedly went to leadership to discuss some of my concerns about the treatment of students and teachers. I did not feel like my concerns were actually heard and I ended up regretted going to them at all because it just damaged my image as a leader in the school. -Lots of student suspensions. -My salary was not equitable based upon the long hours that I worked. I consistently worked 70+ hour weeks.