Teacher Created Materials, Inc Reviews

Former Employee – worked at Teacher Created Materials, Inc full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Collaborate with others on projects
Work on interesting and stimulating content
Learn about working in the corporate structure
Receive support in growing and expanding your skills

Cons – Working in a highly structured, hierarchical environment
Not a great deal of room to move up in the company
Strict with the time clock
High-pressure, constant deadline environment

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Teacher Created Materials, Inc full-time

Pros – The company produces some nice product. It employs some talented writers/editors and creative people that truly drive the success of their products. The potential to create extraordinary product is there. It's a good place to be if you want to be thrown into the deep end and are independent enough to keep yourself afloat. If you enjoy being busy and high pressure, this is the perfect place. If you like flying by the seat of your pants and seeing where you go, it's perfect.

Cons – Like others have said, they under utilize the talent of their employees. There is a lack of communication among upper management and middle management and as a result things do not filter down to their employees. There is such a disconnect with the communication of middle management that they practically render themselves obsolete in the structure of the company. The structure is not one based on merit or hard work but more of a political social hierarchy. All the employees work hard, some would say over-worked, but there seems to be no rhyme or reason why certain structural changes occur. There is a lack of planning when it comes to production, business, and finance. And decisions are hardly made as a proactive move but more as a reactive move. As a result, production is usually behind before they even start. High-stress, low morale, and unrealistic deadlines lead to high turnover, whether it be by the employee's choice or the company's choice. The chance of furthering your career is slim and most promotions are just lateral moves, or you're resigned to the fact that you will just continue to take on more responsibilities without the proper support. Many of the employees feel like the company isn't behind them or helping them to be successful. It's a fight to get things to happen and for change to occur in order to help employee efficiency and as a result, company morale. There seems to be an emphasis on image more than substance and this shows from the nice shiny building to the illusion of employee loyalty. Despite attempts of employees to voice concerns nothing seems to change to help the work environment, production efficiency, and their overall well-being. The employees have no voice, middle management has no power, and upper management is unaware of the problems looming over the company yet they reap the benefits of the successes of those who work so hard to write, edit, design, produce, and sell their product. The sale is all that counts here and the salespeople are the only ones appreciated for their work.

Advice to Senior Management – Tighten communication among management and employees. Listen to what the employees are saying and requesting as they are the ones who give you something to produce and they are the ones making things happen. Plan more appropriately and learn the business aspect of the industry. Utilize your employees and their talents but don't take advantage of them. Appreciate them for what they do and work to make them feel wanted, encouraged, and secure. Learn from your mistakes and make attempts to improve efficiency and communication.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Teacher Created Materials, Inc

Pros – The product is teacher and student friendly along with being award-winning with good reason. They work with up and coming authors, are forward-thinking and usually ahead of the market on what teachers and classrooms need.

Cons – Lack of communication and politics made it tough to get important work done in a timely manner. Senior executives are very devoted to the great product but need to step up the business side of the company. They definitely bring in talented people especially many experienced in their careers, but underutilize what they can offer.

Advice to Senior Management – With the great materials created by the company the next step to growth would be to work on the lack of business expertise. Really show people what they can do to be a value add to the company and how they can advance their own careers.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend