Teaching at Achievement Prep

[Anonymous]

Can any current or former teachers chime in on what it's like to teach there?

Seems they're trying to replace the entire MS, which raises red flags.

According to the website, the demands are huge-7:15-5:30/6:00, 20 observations per year?????

Please tell me they're not surprised they can't keep teachers.

[Anonymous]

The reviews I read on 2 sites-including glassdoor gave a great deal of insight. Sadly I'm not surprised to read of horrible work environments, insecure bully bosses who don't even have master degrees...I can't understand why schools in DC can't get the human relations part right. You can't mistreat teachers into improving student achievement.

[Anonymous]

This is common at charter schools. I am not surprised at all. The benefits are often worse and teachers are worked into the ground. There is a reason charter schools have huge turnover and majority teachers under 30-- impossible to have a family with the demands.

[Anonymous]

I know former teachers there and they have a ton of turnover. Seems higher than other charters. I think testing is very high stakes there. Teaching staff don't seem very happy.

[Anonymous]

DC seems to have a very hard time getting this education thing right. Respecting teachers-not hounding and riding their backs--goes a loooong way. 20 observations in one year???!!! And they posted that on their website as if it's a good thing. Sounds like micromanaging to me. Anywhere else that word be harassment. DC seems to think it shows leadership. Smh

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher Earlier PP. I teach in a low performing title one school. We are constantly told what we need to do-- constant assessment, evidence, to an unachievable amount. We are never asked what we need to do well, or how we can be supported. Just -- do this, or else. Threatening. It is exhausted. I love teaching but I am very young and wonder if it was a mistake.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, sorry for the terrible typos / grammar ... I am sick and on my lunch at school! :/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC seems to have a very hard time getting this education thing right. Respecting teachers-not hounding and riding their backs--goes a loooong way. 20 observations in one year???!!! And they posted that on their website as if it's a good thing. Sounds like micromanaging to me. Anywhere else that word be harassment. DC seems to think it shows leadership. Smh

What is this "DC" that you speak of? Each charter is free to manage teachers the way they want, for good or ill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC seems to have a very hard time getting this education thing right. Respecting teachers-not hounding and riding their backs--goes a loooong way. 20 observations in one year???!!! And they posted that on their website as if it's a good thing. Sounds like micromanaging to me. Anywhere else that word be harassment. DC seems to think it shows leadership. Smh

What is this "DC" that you speak of? Each charter is free to manage teachers the way they want, for good or ill.

DC as in the District of Columbia--- both the charter AND public schools.

See the elementary public school teacher in a DC. Her experience is like that of charter school teachers in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC seems to have a very hard time getting this education thing right. Respecting teachers-not hounding and riding their backs--goes a loooong way. 20 observations in one year???!!! And they posted that on their website as if it's a good thing. Sounds like micromanaging to me. Anywhere else that word be harassment. DC seems to think it shows leadership. Smh

What is this "DC" that you speak of? Each charter is free to manage teachers the way they want, for good or ill.

DC as in the District of Columbia--- both the charter AND public schools.

See the elementary public school teacher in a DC. Her experience is like that of charter school teachers in DC.

[Anonymous]

They post all of their positions each year, regardless of expectations of attrition. It's a safety net in case someone waits until the end of the year to share that they're leaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They post all of their positions each year, regardless of expectations of attrition. It's a safety net in case someone waits until the end of the year to share that they're leaving.

That may be true, but many reviewers have borne witness to the high turn over-even mid year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can any current or former teachers chime in on what it's like to teach there?

Seems they're trying to replace the entire MS, which raises red flags.

According to the website, the demands are huge-7:15-5:30/6:00, 20 observations per year?????

Please tell me they're not surprised they can't keep teachers.

Why do you think they're surprised about keeping or not keeping teachers? Seems like the school prioritizes high achievement and its strategy for getting achievement is to demand a lot from teachers. The strategy seems to be working -- the Charter Board has ranked the school in the highest category of the charter performance system year after year. KIPP is criticized for high turnover too and they are also always ranked high by the Charter Board. Both KIPP and Achievement Prep have been approved to expand under the Board so it doesn't seem that the Board considers their personnel handling to be an issue

It isn't surprising that the demands are high on teachers at high SES schools seeking rapid improvements in student performance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can any current or former teachers chime in on what it's like to teach there?

Seems they're trying to replace the entire MS, which raises red flags.

According to the website, the demands are huge-7:15-5:30/6:00, 20 observations per year?????

Please tell me they're not surprised they can't keep teachers.

Why do you think they're surprised about keeping or not keeping teachers? Seems like the school prioritizes high achievement and its strategy for getting achievement is to demand a lot from teachers. The strategy seems to be working -- the Charter Board has ranked the school in the highest category of the charter performance system year after year. KIPP is criticized for high turnover too and they are also always ranked high by the Charter Board. Both KIPP and Achievement Prep have been approved to expand under the Board so it doesn't seem that the Board considers their personnel handling to be an issue

It isn't surprising that the demands are high on teachers at high SES schools seeking rapid improvements in student performance.

Let me tell you a secret: It's possible to get the same-even better results--without burning out and haranguing teachers to death.

Many schools in different parts of the country do/have done it. DC is not the only place with children living in poverty. But it's schools are thee worst. They seem to think the best/only way to get results is to wear out the teachers. High turnover is not good for anyone.

And let's not forget the students at KIPP (and other charters) tend to come from families with a higher level of parental involvement. The application process alone requires significant effort from families.

The bottom line is that many of these school bosses-I mean 'leaders'-are inept and don't know how to treat people in a way that will yield the highest results.

A wise school leader could get similar or even better results in a typical 8-3 pm school day. It's done everyday throughout the country. These guys just don't fully understand teaching and learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can any current or former teachers chime in on what it's like to teach there?

Seems they're trying to replace the entire MS, which raises red flags.

According to the website, the demands are huge-7:15-5:30/6:00, 20 observations per year?????

Please tell me they're not surprised they can't keep teachers.

Why do you think they're surprised about keeping or not keeping teachers? Seems like the school prioritizes high achievement and its strategy for getting achievement is to demand a lot from teachers. The strategy seems to be working -- the Charter Board has ranked the school in the highest category of the charter performance system year after year. KIPP is criticized for high turnover too and they are also always ranked high by the Charter Board. Both KIPP and Achievement Prep have been approved to expand under the Board so it doesn't seem that the Board considers their personnel handling to be an issue

It isn't surprising that the demands are high on teachers at high SES schools seeking rapid improvements in student performance.

Let me tell you a secret: It's possible to get the same-even better results--without burning out and haranguing teachers to death.

Many schools in different parts of the country do/have done it. DC is not the only place with children living in poverty. But it's schools are thee worst. They seem to think the best/only way to get results is to wear out the teachers. High turnover is not good for anyone.

And let's not forget the students at KIPP (and other charters) tend to come from families with a higher level of parental involvement. The application process alone requires significant effort from families.

The bottom line is that many of these school bosses-I mean 'leaders'-are inept and don't know how to treat people in a way that will yield the highest results.

A wise school leader could get similar or even better results in a typical 8-3 pm school day. It's done everyday throughout the country. These guys just don't fully understand teaching and learning.

Perhaps they are inept. Perhaps not. I assume you have direct knowledge of burnt out and harangued to death teachers. But schools getting the same or better results with similar populations all over the country?? Really?? That's one of the best kept secrets ever.