Pros
They offer a competitive salary.
Cons
You work from home, which is NOT like always being at home; it is like always being at work, and dragging your poor family with you. There are far too many students per teacher, and because of performance-based funding, it has become a "credit factory" because there is NO funding if a student does not successfully complete a class. You are not treated like a valued team member or professional, just the latest in a long line of expendable teachers. As one of the first 40 teachers ever hired with FLVS (we had a whopping two IL's) , I knew I was part of something bigger than myself. I knew we were reaching students who would otherwise fall through the cracks, and it was incredibly rewarding. We were a team that was like "The Little Engine That Could" and we worked hard to be successful. That all changed over time. The leadership seemed to forget that they were Educators, and tried to be business people, and were miserable failures. The students are the unknown in every equation, and making teachers responsible for the behaviors of others is not reasonable or logical. Encouraging (insisting) that teachers bully students into finishing classes is insane. Finding out that teachers falsify contact logs should not be surprising, one non-communicative, defiant or overwhelmed teenager can cost a teacher their job. FLVS is no longer the industry leader, and a role model to other online entities- I know because I work for one. Time off? I remember asking my IL if I could take some of the vacation time I had accrued. She replied that of course, I was welcome to use my time, but I would be responsible for "keeping up with phone calls and grading" since there were no subs for people who just needed a break. That is NOT a vacation; that is working! For teachers considering making the switch to FLVS, look at the incredible turnover rate (no one ever retires from FLVS, unlike other schools and districts) and the fact that over the last 12 years, literally THOUSANDS of teachers have come and gone, most after a single year. Does that sound like a healthy and happy workplace? If you are still interested, consider the divorce rate among teachers- the job simply takes over your life, and you are struggling to breathe, feel overwhelmed 24/7, and stare at the ceiling wondering if you will still have a job next semester because of your annual contract and "no cause" dismissal policy. There is NO reason to put yourself or your family through that! Think again!