Compare Achievement First vs Achievement Prep BETA

Pros

As a lead teacher who started as a teacher-in-residence, I had multiple coaches who coached me on how to become a better instructor, make my curriculum more rigorous, implement structures and... routines for students in order to set culture in the classroom, and how to manage my time to be the most effective. As a teacher coming into this network as a "student", I felt welcomed, appreciated, and a part of a team. I truly do love my job, and care for my students even more.

Cons

Achievement First is still a growing network, and with growth comes some growing pains. Communication from top (management) down (teachers and non-instructional staff) can sometimes get muddled, and... while feedback is always well intentioned, it doesn't always appear that way. This is both between teacher-to-teacher and management-to-teacher. As a network, we are slowly getting better.

Advice to Management

Teachers who are hired with 0 teaching experience and those who have never taught in a high school before should have additional coaching around mindsets. From what I've seen, and take this with a... grain of salt, teachers with 0 experience underestimate the duties required for their role and burn-out quickly, while other teachers with prior teaching experience (not in a high school), tend to be set in their ways and struggle to adapt. It's something to keep in mind.