Pros
I have been with Achievement First since 2012. I honestly cannot imagine working anywhere else. I was formally a dean and recently transitioned back into the classroom. AF has always felt like home. I've worked with two principals in my time here and both have gone above and beyond to value me as a teacher and individual. We work with some of the brightest students in Brooklyn and am thankful for the opportunity to teach them. Through the years our school and network have worked very hard to ensure this work is more sustainable, but let's face it, teaching is hard, especially teaching well. If you want to work at a place that values you, values your time and pushes kids to continue to be better, AF is definitely the place to be.
Cons
Tough to be successful as a first year teacher if you don't put in the time to practice and improve. Although getting better (especially since I started in 2012), work life balance continues to be tought to strike.