Pros
As an instructor, I was paid better than the line staff. The school staff was wonderful to work with, smart, creative, and compassionate. Many students made great progress. Staff working with youth give 110% effort or they don't last. One meal provided per 5 hours at work ( except for the night shift)
Kontras
Inconsistent , contradictory policies. Sometimes they will take any youth into the facility, regardless of whether or not it was a good match for the student's needs. Administrators seemed to have the best of everything, while the youth lack desks and texts etc. Instructors have no scheduled breaks ( not even a duty free lunch), are expected to do janitorial work, physical restraints, and endless, non-educational , paperwork. Sometimes a "planning period" is scheduled in, but since there are no substitute teachers, if someone is out, the rest of the staff has to step in or even combine classes.They do have monthly required training, but haven't added anything new lately. Administration may decide that something is a good idea, but have no research basis for their decision. At times, the fact that some of their decisions contradicted state or federal requirements was ignored. Rapid turnover of staff and youth. In one semester I literally had 100% change of the youth in my class, and rotated through four classroom aides. School is year round. Instructors are expected to take extra shifts. We are expected to deal with behaviors and emotional issues while juggling Common Core, state, and facility academic objectives. Classrooms are small.