Policing students and teachers, Excessive Micromanagement, and Long work hours
Pros
The salary is competitive and you will be compensated well. The students are great! The students are energetic- and love to learn. The students' families are well involved and supportive. Achievement First's system is organized. Online and paper resources are available to you.
Cons
Achievement First's system operates on a high micromanaging level. Administrators stop you in the middle of your lesson when you are teaching a class to give unnecessary feedback even when students are behaving and completing their work silently. Administration will spontaneously walk in your classroom at least 4 times a week. Administration will interrupt your lesson if they feel as if you are not doing it the way they want you to do it. If you do not follow exactly what they scripted, you will have to practice after work hours. Teachers do not have the autonomy to control their class the way they want even it proves that the teacher's teaching style is effective. Teachers are rushed to move on to the next subject or lesson although students may need to be retaught or you need to have a community circle with the class. Students are discouraged to raise their hand if they need something. Students are treated and taught one way although the school's mission states "equity."