Pros
Working with kiddos of a variety of backgrounds, independent working environment (school year only). SELF empowers you to trust your education & professional experience. The pay is halfway decent, benefits are pretty standard for the Human Services Industry. They encourage you to utilize great mental health resources. They will work with you on career development. No day-to-day micromanagement.
Cons
SELF makes big promises in advocacy for employees and underdelivers in almost every way. They are powerless to advocate for employees due to ESD 112's relentless quest to look good for ESD leadership at any cost. ESD does this by refusing to listen to worker concerns and brushing them off as griping, then never visiting centers for themselves. Employee concerns often center around removing a child with dangerous behavior from the program due to maxed-out ratios and reduced resources for one on one support. Summers are spent in a power struggle with other Directors, as SA combines for summers. Children with outwardly obvious struggles are prioritized over children who are quiet and compliant (this is encouraged by ESD). If you can keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, & deal with office politics, you can do this job.