Pros
Working with the children, able to play and have fun most of the time. Some staff are truly supportive, mean well. Free snacks & coffee (pro & con, only because most snacks are sugary/ unhealthy)
Cons
Staff morale was low due to widespread burnout, with many employees pursuing certification or licensure. There was a lack of clear structure for managing students, particularly during incidents involving severe behavior. Sanitation practices were inadequate—while a cleaner came after hours, classrooms were not properly disinfected, posing risks to immunocompromised students. Additionally, staff faced penalties for taking necessary time off outside of limited approved categories. For instance, after contracting the flu from a student (confirmed by administration), I was advised I could face disciplinary action for using sick leave to recover. I have over 10 years of experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum in school settings. Unfortunately, this particular placement did not meet the standards of support and structure I’ve experienced in previous roles. I often found myself drawing on my own extensive experience and knowledge to navigate situations, as my expertise at times exceeded that of the trainers, teachers, and behavior analysts I worked alongside.
