MHSC (Mastery High School of Camden) - Case Manger Mastery Schools Employee Review

I have worked in several districts, and this has been my favorite so far under the current administration. I feel supported, and more importantly, I feel that teacher feedback is actually heard. Leadership regularly asks for input and you can see real efforts to improve based on what staff say. They model many of the same expectations they set for teachers. The job is demanding, but the support makes the workload manageable. I never feel like I am handling challenges alone. There is also a genuine effort to bring some joy and humor into the school day, which matters more than people realize during a busy year. The staff culture is another strength — colleagues are collaborative, approachable, and easy to get along with.

At times there can be a disconnect between building-level needs and expectations from central administration. Communication is improving, but sometimes you have to ask questions in order to fully understand procedures, and information is not always located in one clear place. That said, I have seen noticeable improvement over the years, and leadership does appear to be working toward better clarity and consistency.

I’ve worked here for many years, and there are several positives. The pay is competitive, especially as you move up the salary scale. There is a supportive community when it comes to curriculum, coaching, and collaboration. The students are amazing, and teachers genuinely support one another. While the work can be challenging, it is also very rewarding. Additionally, there is funding available for field trips, after-school activities, and classroom supplies.

A major challenge is the amount of time teachers are required to be actively teaching, sometimes four or five periods back to back, with only one lunch and one prep. It is very difficult to complete all required responsibilities within the school day, which often leads to significant work outside of contract hours. Additional prep time would help make expectations more manageable, especially since there was more prep time built into the schedule in the past.