special education teacher

teacher's aide

speech language pathologist

clinical support staff

occupational therapist

Alternative Paths Training School

The one good thing about this company were the benefits. This school could care less about the students and the employees that work there. For the students, it was a joke to call it a school. It’s a place to put your child if you just want them out of your hair due to their behavioral issues (which some parents were okay with that). The older kids at the Fredericksburg campus sat around and completed worksheets all day, with only 1-2 students going off campus (because their parents fought for it) to learn how to be a productive adult after graduation. Many of the students were neglected at home and then came to the school to be neglected as well. The school gets a lot of money from the counties for the students to attend...so at the end of the day it’s all about money. Fill the seats and only truly deal with the students whose parents are very attentive. The school doesn’t have the resources (books, activities employees etc) to actually teach the kids what they need to learn so teachers scramble to make their own resources (a lot of times out of pocket) and the kids are made to sit down for 8 hours a day with nothing really to do on a day to day basis except maybe a work box here and there. To note, If employees didn’t call Social Services for some students where abuse & neglect were truly visible, then management never would. 
As for the employees, management teams (Fredericksburg location) were very sexist and some were racist. There was only one good team leader who was an older man and he valued his workers and listened to their concerns. Management was so micro-managing and didn’t trust their employees or listen to their opinions/concerns (despite wanting everyone to have a four year degree who worked there) and treated us like children. 
Despite management, there were some co-workers who were absolutely terrible to work with and were the “tattle-tales” of the company (maybe they thought they’d move up?) but overall people got along if everyone did their job (worked behaviors, filled out the charts, etc.). Typically, you work with 4-5 people in a room and you could be with those same people for weeks or even months so it pays to be respectful and help each other when one person struggles. I always got placed with good teams, but that’s not the case for many. Sometimes it felt like the campus was clique-y and people acted like high-schoolers. 
Lastly, don’t expect to move up in the company. They know who they want before they even interview. The management team is extremely tight-knit and only hires people within their own “clique” rather than giving people a chance to succeed who may be better qualified. they will pretend to like you but believe me when I say they don’t. I’ve seen a lot of people who applied for roles and were turned down only to have one of managements friends get the position. In order to get them to like you...kiss a**. Honest to god, kiss a** and try to become apart of their group.  Even if your co-workers hate you for it, at least you’ll get an opportunity to make more money. 

The only reason most stars in the rating aren't one-star is because the teachers, PF's, behavioral analysts, POD managers, and TL's are great at working together. I haven't seen a team so dedicated to the kids/families they serve and have each other's backs when they answer a walkie call. 

The kids were great. If you haven't worked with kids who have special needs, I would advise you to take it one step at a time to see if it's really for you. It's not a job for everyone. You may have to change them, they may hit you or themselves, run from you, throw things across the room, or do something that you can't put into words. If you can handle that, there's so much on the other side of them that causes even a heart of stone to soften. You may even realize that when helping them achieve their goals a part of you heals in return. 

If I could have worked without the management from the supervisor/director upward, I would've. The supervisor/director of the PF's, POD managers, and TL's is not someone you can connect and communicate with when you are having issues. The supervisor/director of the teachers is asking too much of the teachers without much of an idea or plan. Some ideas are even redundant due to something else already being in place. Whenever there is a plan, it is executed poorly due to everything being last-minute and a lack of communication. Both supervisors/directors are not receptive to feedback and take offense when you go above them, due to them not hearing your concerns.

It's become more money-focused as time went by. In one pre-recorded training, one of the administrators referred to the students and families as customers. The introduction of the third building was supposed to bring more kids in, but they did not resolve the issue of staff attrition beforehand, so when it opened and people left, things were tight. They also didn't hire another food staff, so breakfast and lunch were late a few times a week. Having one food staff member per building is necessary. Same thing with nurses. Before I left, there was only one for the 3 buildings. It also took a whole year to get another padded area on the wall for some students who have a history of self-injury using the wall. Staff brought it up multiple times.

Yet they lessened the PTO and prefer to give free food to their staff instead of a bonus check for the rough patch they're in. We have the students' backs, and we support each other, but we don't feel the same support from the admin.

First and foremost, you need to have a real understanding of the special needs population you are working with at this school.  The school provides educational, vocational, and behavioral services for students aged 5-22 with a WIDE array of special needs.  That being said, working at APTS is an experience like no other. It was very rewarding to see the progress made in students over the school year.  



Pros:  
My co-workers were absolutely wonderful.  I always felt that I could communicate any of my needs and concerns with the entire team.  They provided much needed support during classroom instruction, transitioning in the halls, and during students breaks.  Co-workers treated each other with respect and courtesy, and it was clear that everyone simply wanted the best for the students.  

I really liked the working hours at APTS.  Although you are required to be there early, the first hour allows for teacher planning, team meetings to keep everyone informed and to address any necessary issues, and simply getting the classroom organized for the day.  There is also a decent amount of vacation time provided over the holidays (despite the fact that this is a year-round school).  

Cons:
There are a few things that APTS could improve upon.  To begin with, teachers could use far more planning time and educational materials (textbooks, student materials, more technology tools).  Also, although there is support in the classroom, more program facilitators could help classroom instruction and student behaviors a little more manageable.  


Final note:
Working at APTS had a lot of ups and downs.  Because of the nature of the job and the students you are working with, you can either go home after having a wonderful and productive day, or the complete opposite.  As a teacher, I recommend flexibility, flexibility, and flexibility.  More often than not, the lesson plan will not go the way you intended.  Luckily, you function as a TEAM at APTS, and you will always have support and back-up!

As a program facilitator you are basically a "teacher's aide" responsible for ensuring studnets (with dissabilites, mental health, and behavioral issues) safety, learning (attempting to meet goals on EIP's- Individualized Education Plan's), and "progress" on reducing maladaptive  and increasing adaptive behaviors (remaining aware of BIP's- Behavioral Intervention Plan's). This position is an excellent entry level job that may require you to rethink your career path. I learned that working through behaviors was not one of my strong suits, nor did I enjoy the process at all. The Fredericksburg location was great when I first started, but as time went on I gained less respect for other employees. Management exhibits bouts of favoritism, some co-workers were just simply as immature and ignorant as they come, and you can't get a raise until 2 or 3 years of service. Sounds like you can handle it right and decent pay? Yes, that is the same positive outlook I had until about a month in! Facilitator to student ratio always ended up falling short, in part due to the extensive week to month long hiring process and the rapid turnover rate. In all, one second you could be rejoicing a students accomplishment and the next they will be shouting, biting, spitting, kicking, smacking or punching at you with full force.

This job is soul sucking and is not meant for you to stay here for a long time.
This job is for experience and perspective.
You can have the easiest day and go home feeling drained.
At every job (generalization) you will have coworkers you don't like who spread gossip, if you are not good at keeping to yourself, trusting the right people, learning when to stay neutral and separating yourself from drama then you will find yourself turning into someone you do not like.
You NEED stress management. If you cannot manage your stress and calm yourself in the moment OR know when to take a deep breathe, walk away and decompress somewhere else then do not take this job.
If you are trying to change the system, go try somewhere else.
The best thing about this job is that you can find absolute treasure in any pile of trash. 
People have gone to the ER due to behaviors here and it's a frequent thing, expect to get beat up at least once.
Believe every bad thing you hear about this job, take every good thing with a grain of salt.
If you take this job then always tell yourself every day when you wake up "this was a choice I made and will live with" and then say it again once you clock out. 
Training is not good enough if you want to do the best job you can.
A lot of negatives, a few positives, but to be fair I don't want to be in this field in this way anyways. This is just a review from someone who had their own experience and views life differently than you and others. Maybe we aren't so different after, maybe we are day and night and never meant to understand each other.  

APTS overall is a great place. But, like any workplace, there are always going to be issues. I started off as a Program Facilitator and was promoted to a Data Analyst after only being there 6 months. Being able to make a difference in the kid's lives is a great feeling. The benefits are amazing like FREE health insurance, amongst other things. Hours are 7:30-3:30 M-F. Some positions allow you to have a flex schedule. 95% of the time you make really good friends with the people you work with in the classroom.  I personally enjoyed working with the majority of the people on my team. There are always eyes everywhere, however. If there's one thing I would advise the most, it would be to literally keep your personal life out of your work day. Chatting with your co-workers about what you did one weekend with someone will somehow get gossiped around and made into something different. Keep your phone away and never post on social media while you're on the clock because it will get you fired without even a warning. As far as the company and turnover rates go, it is kind of a quick turnover, so my recommendation to upper management would be to take better care of the 20% of people that actually do their jobs, rather than trying to focus on bettering the 80% of people who are only there for a paycheck. Overall though, in a broad prospective, I really enjoyed working at APTS and look forward to seeing the company grow and succeed in the years to come.

This place is like hades if it had a welcome mat. People tell you when you begin there that your smile will slowly disappear and they are not kidding. It is a place that cares more about how much money they can bring in then the safety and comfort of their students and employees. Different POD's have different atmospheres and the front door is revolving (turn over is frequent!!) . If anyone can make it past a year then they should go in to play on the TV show Surviver because they made it past all those who gossip, backstab and attempt to fire others who follow the rules. 
There is a large group of people there who fake the academics of the students. They just have to write the proficiencies down like they did it and let the kid do whatever they want. The management micro-manage to the point where nothing is solved or resolved at any time. 
They move facilitators, and teachers around every few months so you could write a IEP as a teacher but some other teacher is forced to implement it. You have no support in place, they say there is but its all a lie depending on the POD. The POD mentality changes constantly as people move and intermix; think of it as separate countries because there is no communication or help from each other. 
The only people happy at this job is the higher up's or human resources. Since they are the minority I would not be trusting their opinion. It's the ones in the classrooms who know what really happens.

ATPS is a great concept for a school but not executed or managed the best. From my experience it appeared management was more concerned with keeping profit up versus the mental and physical well being of the staff. 

APTS struggles to ensure each classroom is has the appropriate number of staff for safety and classroom management purposes. Some reasons that I have observed that contribute to a high turnover rate for staff include, outdated restraint and redirection techniques that endager staff, long work days with no scheduled lunch, low PTO availability, inconsistency on how students behaviors are handled, notice for IEP meetings and related services are not timely and somewhat disorganized. 

The most glaring issue is the lack of consistency in regard to staff expectations. Some staff would assist with student mal adaptive behaviors while others would sit and watch. Those who would not assist had no fear or concern for a repremand. 

This job is great if you’re looking for a short time employment. The job have a great opportunity for such as signing a contract for paying for your school and or moving up positions. But the job is self. It’s very stressful. Students are great sometimes or most times. Staff can be very immature and childish. It feels like you’re in high school all over again. Even through the hectic mess you’ll meet some great people but overall of the job can definitely take a troll on it you sometimes you won’t find the support you need actually most times this place changes every few months do you have to be ready to adapt, and except changes who is decent for the job we do or did . But if you have to respect for yourself, work, somewhere else somewhere where your skills and experience will actually be valued. Because management sometimes can be very trash. They sweep a lot of things under the rug. The only thing I really enjoyed being at this job is meeting couple great amazing people and the students.

I began in the classroom as a Program Facilitator in 2014.  Working in the classroom is very difficult, but can also be extremely rewarding.  There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when a student accomplishes a task independently for the first time.  

After a year in the classroom I moved into an administrative position and the professional growth I have experienced over the past year has been incredible.  

Although I agree with some of the other reviewers that there is room for growth in the areas of leadership, management, and staff appreciation, I also recognize that these can be symptoms of a quickly growing organization.  Therefore my experience overall has been remarkable positive and I would recommend APTS as a place of employment for those who are committed to helping people with special needs.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Special education teacher 27 salaries reported	$71,796 per year
Teacher's aide 34 salaries reported	$19.86 per hour
Speech language pathologist 19 salaries reported	$87,737 per year
Clinical support staff 1 salary reported	$19.14 per hour
Occupational therapist 16 salaries reported	$87,594 per year

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