I have been working at Play-Well TEKnologies full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
-Allows employees to be independent and free from the typical 9-5 schedule. -Upper management actually cares about you. -Your thoughts are heard and can make a difference in the company -Opportunities in side projects (Marketing, Photography, Video, Special Events) -You get paid to play with LEGO!
Cons
-Less rigid structure than most companies, which can be bad for those who are used to supervision.
Advice to Management
-Management does a great job implementing new ideas and does an even better job in listening to their employee's ideas and concerns.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience working with Play-Well TEKnologies! The passion and creativity that our employees bring to their work is what keeps us improving and growing how well we are able to do what we do - inspiring kids to think big while they learn through play using LEGO®. We love how eager our staff are to share their individual talents and expertise in any way possible within Play-Well. It's definitely a win-win since it gives them a chance to tap into many things they love to do beyond just teaching, and it enables us to nurture and promote from within. Keep those ideas coming!... MoreLess
I have been working at Play-Well TEKnologies full-time
Pros
Instructors get the opportunity to work directly with kids and a TON of LEGO pieces. If you like working with kids and helping them figure out how the world around them works, then it's a great job. If you're not a huge fan of spending time with elementary school aged children (including putting up with some of their less endearing habits), then it's probably not a great fit. Overall, the company (and most managers within it) try to "do good, be happy" which means taking care of each other and doing what they can to be supportive.
Cons
Teaching hours aren't terribly flexible-- there's not a lot we can to do change when kids get out of school. Working hours can vary from week to week and season to season. Summer's are usually close to full time but during the school year it's more of a 10-15 hour a week part time job.
Yes, we agree - you definitely have to love kids to work at Play-Well! The joy of seeing that "ah-ha" lightbulb moment in kids is a common theme shared by our Instructors when they talk about why they love what they do. We acknowledge the Instructor work schedule is unlike most other jobs - can be quite part-time during the school year and then very full-time during summer months. But we also are glad to provide a fun & fulfilling job that fits a diversity of employees who combine teaching with Play-Well together with being a parent, being an entrepreneur or consultant, running their own business, continuing higher education, or keeping busy in semi-retirement years. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!... MoreLess
Former Employee - Enrichment Program Teacher in San Jose, CA
Former Employee - Enrichment Program Teacher in San Jose, CA
Recommends
Positive Outlook
Approves of CEO
I worked at Play-Well TEKnologies part-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
The pay was excellent, flexible hours for students, full time work in the summer and part time during the school year, mostly independent and not micro-managed, tons of training, management truly cares about your success, reprimands are opportunities to learn rather than be punished
Cons
After a few years I found the work repetative but I was able to create my own curriculum to help keep things fresh. Some kids are miserable to work with, but that's something you either get better at or you don't.
Advice to Management
Keep doing a great job. I truly enjoyed my time at this company.
Thanks for sharing your experience working with Play-Well! It's always great to hear that our teaching staff feel we strike the right balance between autonomy and creative freedom, and feeling well trained, supported, and provided with ongoing feedback to help you improve. Most of our managers have started as Instructors in the company and even those who came straight into the management role all continue to teach and train in our curriculum so they can truly relate to Instructors. Thanks for leaving a review even after you've moved on to other things!... MoreLess
Play-Well TEKnologies
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"Best Job EVER!"
I have been working at Play-Well TEKnologies full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
-Allows employees to be independent and free from the typical 9-5 schedule.
-Upper management actually cares about you.
-Your thoughts are heard and can make a difference in the company
-Opportunities in side projects (Marketing, Photography, Video, Special Events)
-You get paid to play with LEGO!
Cons
-Less rigid structure than most companies, which can be bad for those who are used to supervision.
Advice to Management
-Management does a great job implementing new ideas and does an even better job in listening to their employee's ideas and concerns.
Play-Well TEKnologies Response
Feb 10, 2017 – Vice President, Human Resources
Thanks so much for sharing your experience working with Play-Well TEKnologies! The passion and creativity that our employees bring to their work is what keeps us improving and growing how well we are able to do what we do - inspiring kids to think big while they learn through play using LEGO®. We love how eager our staff are to share their individual talents and expertise in any way possible within Play-Well. It's definitely a win-win since it gives them a chance to tap into many things they love to do beyond just teaching, and it enables us to nurture and promote from within. Keep those ideas coming!... MoreLess
Other Employee Reviews for Play-Well TEKnologies
Helpful (1)
"Fun job if you like kids"
I have been working at Play-Well TEKnologies full-time
Pros
Instructors get the opportunity to work directly with kids and a TON of LEGO pieces. If you like working with kids and helping them figure out how the world around them works, then it's a great job. If you're not a huge fan of spending time with elementary school aged children (including putting up with some of their less endearing habits), then it's probably not a great fit.
Overall, the company (and most managers within it) try to "do good, be happy" which means taking care of each other and doing what they can to be supportive.
Cons
Teaching hours aren't terribly flexible-- there's not a lot we can to do change when kids get out of school.
Working hours can vary from week to week and season to season. Summer's are usually close to full time but during the school year it's more of a 10-15 hour a week part time job.
Play-Well TEKnologies Response
Feb 2, 2017 – Vice President, Human Resources
Yes, we agree - you definitely have to love kids to work at Play-Well! The joy of seeing that "ah-ha" lightbulb moment in kids is a common theme shared by our Instructors when they talk about why they love what they do. We acknowledge the Instructor work schedule is unlike most other jobs - can be quite part-time during the school year and then very full-time during summer months. But we also are glad to provide a fun & fulfilling job that fits a diversity of employees who combine teaching with Play-Well together with being a parent, being an entrepreneur or consultant, running their own business, continuing higher education, or keeping busy in semi-retirement years. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!... MoreLess
"Management genuinely cares about you"
I worked at Play-Well TEKnologies part-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
The pay was excellent, flexible hours for students, full time work in the summer and part time during the school year, mostly independent and not micro-managed, tons of training, management truly cares about your success, reprimands are opportunities to learn rather than be punished
Cons
After a few years I found the work repetative but I was able to create my own curriculum to help keep things fresh. Some kids are miserable to work with, but that's something you either get better at or you don't.
Advice to Management
Keep doing a great job. I truly enjoyed my time at this company.
Play-Well TEKnologies Response
Feb 6, 2017 – Vice President, Human Resources
Thanks for sharing your experience working with Play-Well! It's always great to hear that our teaching staff feel we strike the right balance between autonomy and creative freedom, and feeling well trained, supported, and provided with ongoing feedback to help you improve. Most of our managers have started as Instructors in the company and even those who came straight into the management role all continue to teach and train in our curriculum so they can truly relate to Instructors. Thanks for leaving a review even after you've moved on to other things!... MoreLess
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