Pros
If you want to get better at teaching, come work at Achievement First. Here, you will find many people willing to help you get better. From firsthand experience as a new teacher to a now more experienced teacher, I have grown tremendously due to my colleagues' investment in my development. Some assume it takes a really long time to become a great teacher, but at AF we believe growth can happen when a teammate has the support and the personal commitment to improve. As a network, we excel in our growth mindset, and we are committed to getting better because we know it directly impacts our students' and families' lives. We model this mindset for our students every day.
Cons
Sustainability continues to be a challenge, but it's being taken more seriously because retaining talented teachers is necessary to building strong schools. Because AF is committed to doing what works, this increases the need to shift curriculum to meet our stated goals. This leads to more time devoted to planning, which increases the likelihood of burnout.