Pros
The pros of working at Achievement First are the opportunities for professional development, the supportive "team" mentality across the school among staff, the open and honest way that adults communicate and discuss problems that exist or areas that could be better, the close and loving relationships between teachers and families, the close and loving relationships between teachers and kids, the availability of resources including books, supplies, computers etc., the cleanliness of the buildings, the salary of staff is higher than NYC Public schools and lastly the united vision about why we, as educators, are here and what brings us to this work.
Cons
One of the toughest things about working in a charter school is creating a work/life balance. This was true at the other charter schools I worked for and it is no different at Achievement First. We arrive at school around 7 am and are working with kids until around 4 or 5 pm which can be beyond exhausting. It is definitely an adjustment from a 9-5 desk job and I had to learn to make realistic choices about what I am doing after school during the week...which is usually dinner, exercise or TV and bed to be ready for the next day. Even though I work so much, the trade-off is that when I walk into the building in the morning and am with coworkers I like and kids I love, I am happy all day long so its like do I either work less at a job that I am okay with or work more at a job that I love....
