Pros
I have worked at Achievement First for the last 5 years and previously worked at a different CMO in New York City. During my time at AF I have watched network and school leaders constantly reflect on what is working and areas of growth. This has led to continual improvements in student achievement, student culture and adult culture. Another huge strength of Achievement First is the quality of professional development provided at all levels. Teachers, Deans, Principals, Operations Team etc. all receive high quality professional development throughout the year. As s result of these characteristics I feel like I am growing, learning and improving every year in my role. Lastly, the people at Achievement First are all very mission driven. They are very committed to closing the opportunity gap between the students we serve and their peers in more affluent areas. Discussions about social justice are frequent between staff members.
Cons
Working to close the opportunity gap is hard! There are times during the year when I feel tired because of the difficult work we do.