My position at Uncommon was my first full-time teaching job. As a first year teacher I was asked to teach 3 separate subjects, one of which I had no training in, to the largest and arguably most difficult class in the school. I've read other reviews in which people say that despite the overwhelming amount of work they always feel supported. This is true, but in my case the amount of work was SO overwhelming and unrealistic, (I was the only staff member teaching 3 separate subjects), especially for a first year teacher with little or no experience planning a curriculum or managing a classroom, that no amount of support could make up for the level of sleep deprivation, the fact that I never spent more than an hour a day with my husband, or the fact that in the time I worked there I didn't have a single day off, including weekends. I realize that my situation was slightly unique, but I am also aware that many of my coworkers felt the same amount of overwhelm, and in some cases downright desperation.
I also found myself struggling with the disciplinary systems and the lack of free time for the students. I simply didn't think it was healthy. Children need recess, and kids who don't have the chance to run around and blow off steam become stir-crazy and make managing a classroom and building enthusiasm for subject matter exponentially harder for teachers.
