I want to share my experience because I think both parents considering enrollment and people considering employment deserve to know what my experience was like.
During my time here, I noticed that challenging behaviors were often moved from classroom to classroom instead of being addressed with a consistent plan and the support teachers needed. When teachers had questions or concerns about whether a child had special needs, a learning disability, or behavioral needs, I did not feel that we were given the resources or support needed to properly care for those children.
I was especially concerned while working in a potty training class where several students required a high level of direct care and support. I had asked multiple times for support that I had been told would be provided. Eventually, I reached my breaking point and strongly expressed my concerns about the situation. The following day I was called into a conversation about my behavior during that discussion. During that conversation, I was told, "This is Texas. I don't need a reason to fire you."
I also want parents to understand that having small classroom ratios does not automatically mean every child will receive the support they need in a timely manner. Even with a smaller group of children, there can be multiple things happening at once. When several children need individual attention, behavioral support, direct care, or additional assistance at the same time, teachers may still need administrative support.
Another concern I personally witnessed was teachers being let go or told they were no longer needed because of low enrollment or low numbers. While I understand that staffing decisions are a business decision, there were still times when the teachers who remained were asking for additional support and could have benefited from having more staff available. Having fewer children does not necessarily mean teachers have fewer responsibilities or that additional support is unnecessary.
This is important for both parents and potential employees to understand. A classroom can have a small number of children and still have significant needs. If multiple children need support at the same time, one teacher can only do so much without additional help. Based on my experience, there were times when teachers were expected to manage those situations without the support they were asking for.
I would also encourage parents to ask how the school handles children who need additional behavioral, developmental, or special education support. Based on what I experienced, when teachers reach a point where they need support that administration cannot or will not provide, there is a possibility that the child could eventually be moved, removed from a classroom, or asked to leave the program rather than the underlying needs being properly addressed. I cannot speak for every situation, but this is something I personally would want to know as a parent.
I want to be clear that the teachers and staff I worked alongside are wonderful people. I have had multiple students, parents, and other teachers tell me how much they appreciated me and my teaching, which is something I will always be grateful for.
My concern is not with the teachers. My concern is with the level of administrative support provided to teachers when they are struggling and asking for help. From my experience, there was a lot of praise and small gestures of appreciation, but when teachers needed meaningful support with difficult classroom situations, I did not feel that same level of support was there.
I also know there are other reviews that describe similar experiences. I encourage parents and potential employees to read those reviews and ask questions before making a decision.
This is my personal experience and perspective. I am sharing it because I wish I had known more about how these situations were handled before I worked there. The teachers care deeply about the children, but teachers cannot provide the level of care children need when they are not given the support and resources to do so. read more
