You are expected to be available to student from 8am-8pm 7 days per week. Some teams opt to do live webinars on weekends or late night. Disagree with the team and you are not being a team player. You must call students back within 24 hours. You have no days off. Students work during your holidays so your choice is to either come back to a mountain of grading or work during your holiday. No summer or spring break. 2 week winter break. When I taught there, subs were only for long term leave. You will work like you have never worked before! I taught at FLVS for 3 years. At 1 point, my student load was set to 220. I lived in constant fear of falling behind. I worked during weekends, holidays, staff conference. I worked when I had the flu, strep throat, a broken leg, and while visiting my Dad in the hospital (I brought my laptop with me and worked while he slept). You might as well glue your hands to your laptop and your phone to your ear. My 1st year at FLVS, I worked an average of 60 hours per week. 2nd year, about 55. 3rd year, about 50. It is not a 40 hour per week job. During my 2nd year, I was chosen to give tips for success to my entire team of over 30 instructors because I exceeded my credit goal and my student survey data was veryhigh. I took on teaching 2 different brand new classes (big mistake). The following year, I got a new instructional leader. It is luck of the draw with ILs. Some are great and some are nightmares (much like principals). Trying to get your IL changed (I tried) is like pulling teeth. Job security is non-existent. ILs can decide to not renew your contract on a whim. You have no recourse if this happens. You can excel for numerous years, but if you have 1 off year, goodbye. During my 3 years at FLVS, ½ of my team either quit or was fired. My advice to teachers is do your research before you accept a position at FLVS. Make a pro and con list. Talk to a few different teachers who work there. Discuss it with your family as well because your decision will greatly impact the amount of time you will have to spend with them.
