Pros
I'm just finishing up my 3rd year at AF as a literature teacher and grade level chair and have signed on for my 4th. After working in a couple of different elementary schools, AF is unlike any other. I love working with our scholars who truly enjoy learning and are eager to participate in the classroom. I am someone who likes to work my best, learn, and always improve instruction, so it's very beneficial to have a leadership team that always pushes teachers to be their best and coaches them. There is a high level of support at my school and as a teacher I always feel valued and appreciated, whether it's through a note from my principal or coach or a surprise lunch day. My school has done a lot of work to help teachers grow in their roles and works with them to make sure the job is meeting their personal goals.
Cons
Working for AF requires a lot of work and a lot of time. Often times there are moments when a lot of things need to get done at once with quick turn-around times (grading Interim assessments with report card grades due the same week). The work is very manageable as long as you have strong time management and are able to prioritize top tasks. Sustainability is something the network and schools are committed to working on, but until then the amount of teachers that leave each year makes it challenging for teams to stay strong;