Re: Achievement First Reply

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On 10/06/08, OP on Achievement 1st wrote:
> What timing. I actually had a phone interview myself today. I
> thought that very strange myself. We'll see what happens. But I
> have had a couple of really bad experiences in urban charter
> schools, so I am very leery of them. I did not come out and ask
> what happened to the person I would be replacing. I wish I had
> had the guts. I realized they have 2 openings now, in the same
> school, in the 4th week of school. NOT a good sign.
>
> Thanks for the input! I was wondering why they have so many
> different people listed as contacts. The woman I spoke with
> sounded very young on the phone. I also had an email
> correspondence going with someone before these openings came up;
> I had sent in my resume and that person had expressed interest in
> meeting with me "over coffee" (I thought that a bit odd for
> school personnel....) and allowing me to come observe. I sent 2
> emails in reply to her request and never heard back from her.
> Considering they had 2 positions open up right afterwards, one of
> which I am qualified for, I thought it to be very puzzling that
> she did not follow up with me.
>
> I found out they have an open house in the fall, and I really
> want to go observe if I still do not have a job, just to satisfy
> my curiosity.
>
> Also, if they have run as tight a ship as they say they do,
> concerning the very strict discipline they tout, I wonder why
> they have such a high turnover? I dunno; I am not afraid of hard
> work but a 9 hour day (and she also stated that the teachers
> "can" leave at 4, but most do not.... meaning if you do who knows
> how you will be perceived) and one prep period sounds to me like
> an exhausting schedule. Considering the amount of prep time I
> know will have to put in on my own time, I just don't know.
>
> And I forgot to inquire more about their "summer academy". Do you
> know if they only give two weeks off the entire summer?
>
> I hope you post again. I am so glad to see someone finally
> responded to my question. Still curious to know the real scoop on
> them. Seeing as my urban teaching experience is limited to
> subbing in two "mixed" districts, and I most recently taught
> private, I will be really surprised if I got a call back. But you
> never know
>
> Do you have a full time job? I am getting pretty frustrated
myself.
>
> Take care!
>
> CT teach (the OP)
>
>
> On 10/05/08, Teacher wrote:
>> Hi I have phone interviewed with them more than once, they
>> seem to be big on that. I found this odd because how can
>> you truly tell what a person is like?? Anyways, the way
>> they made it sound (not literally of course but this is what
>> they were strongly hinting at) is that the children are not
>> well behaved and there is even teacher turnover mid year.
>> The days are longer and you have to work during the month of
>> July. Pay scale is same as public, maybe a very slight bit
>> higher due to the more time put in. Had a very long phone
>> interview, and was excited for the possibility, didn't get
>> it even with prior experience in a danerous urban district--
>> now see it as probably a blessing in disguise with the
>> turnover they seem to have!!! Also, they hire "teacher
>> recruiters" (not principals) to find people (initially) to
>> work for them. I saw an ad to be a recruiter for them,
>> qualifications aren't all that high considering they are
>> helping to judge others who may very well have more
>> experience/better qualifications than the recruiter does.
>> Oh well. Back to the drawing board.
>>
>>
>> On 9/25/08, CT teacher wrote:
>>> Hi. I am wondering if anyone has any knowledge -- firsthand
>>> or hearsay from someone who knows someone who works/ has
>>> worked at one of these schools -- about the Achievement 1st
>>> schools in NY and CT.
>>>
>>> I would appreciate hearing any feedback anyone can give me.
>>> I have checked out their web site, but I really would like
>>> to know what the real deal is with them.
>>>
>>> Thank you!

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