High Expectations and Output (Beginning Teachers Look Elsewhere))
Pros
Student oriented, progressive agenda, project based learning, opportunities for moving around the company, idealistic young faculty, well funded, well connected, social justice curriculum, ideal for seasoned teachers, work with actual agents of change. Ultimately, the organization has incredible ideals for learning and community engagement; while implementing the newest technology and research.
Cons
Experience depends heavily on school/campus placement and effectiveness of administration. Administration promises professional development and personal coaching regardless of your role in the school which can be vital to new beginning teachers. However ideal it may have seemed, the helicopter evaluations with confusing and inconsistent coaching made it very difficult to know one's expectations. Expect to have a flood of many different people in your classroom every day! If you are not a seasoned teacher, expect to be overwhelmed and if you fall behind expect to be left behind in some cases due to politics and admin being spread too thin. Though colleagues were very supportive and motivated to work around the clock for students, many leave within 2 years due to unrealistic demand and countless roles placed on educators with 12 hour shifts. As a result many of these teachers sacrifice their lives for the school, which can leave to unhealthy cult like culture and brain drain. It seemed like there were too many changes too quickly in regards to curriculum, implementation, and procedures with teachers always playing catch up in meetings and students left with varying experiences each year. Stick to what worksI If you thrive on innovation and constant change, then this is the place for you.
