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Atmosphere Academy Public Charter Schools

On the surface, Atmosphere is an ideal school to work for, especially relative to others in the NYC charter-verse.

The pay is more than DOE and most charter schools relative to one's experience.   It is one of the few employers in or out of education in which even for spouses and dependents you do not pay for part of your health benefits each month.   And those benefits include an annual $1000 HSA card that is paid for by the employer on top of a pretty decent medical/dental/vision insurance plan.  And the schedule is setup so most teachers can leave at 1:45pm on most (but not all) Fridays and are actually encouraged to.  Finally, while the school year is 2 weeks longer than a NYC public school, some breaks are longer (Labor and Memorial Day are 4 day weekends, Xmas/New Years break is a week longer than most schools).

For the most part, your fellow teachers will be like a "family" and very supportive of each other.  There is a lot of great camaraderie among the staff and many of them enjoy being together out of the classroom as well.   The culture team (guidance counselor, social worker, etc.) are very supportive of the teachers and fully interact socially with them as well.

But while most charter schools are run kind of "entrepreneurial", this one especially is so in some ways.   Even compared to other charters, there is an extreme emphasis on state tests.   There is also an emphasis on a thing called "systems" that while some are well-meaning and effective (especially the one that helps students save time on multiple choice questions by eliminating obvious wrong answers at the get-go), others confuse both the students and the teachers and makes the learning process a lot longer than it should or needs to be.

They are very good at having "benchmark" practice state tests to see where the kids are, but if even the littlest result seems out of wack, the school's schedule and priorities will be suddenly changed, such as one or more days per week being focused on all day state test prep, which you will teach even if you are not an English or Math teacher (to be fair you do get a script so you are not expected to completely know the material), to the exclusion of all other academics.

Finally, while there is decent teacher coaching ( affected though by some instructional leader turnover) and you will not be reprimanded without warning, if one or more in leadership finds something however small they suddenly don't like about you, you will likely have a difficult time staying on long term and will need to start looking.

So while there are things to watch out for, I wouldn't give it the low marks I've seen on reviews here and elsewhere.   Just be careful and do your best and working here may just pay off for you!   Good luck!

Everyone is overworked and overwhelmed. You’ll be expected to teach subjects that you aren’t certified in. Leadership is on a power trip 24/7 and have no shame to show it at any point.
I wish I wouldn’t have wasted my time with this place.
Students aren’t held accountable for their actions because the school “practices”  restorative justice so it becomes exhausting to deal with repetitive issues when you are supposed to be teaching. They claim to practice restorative justice but expect students to transition completely silently in the halls, in a line like jail inmates do. A consequence for not following these directions is ALL students have silent lunch…their only time to unwind with their friends.
It’s a place no one would ever hope to send their kids to nor I’d suggest anyone to work at.

Chaos, no real structure.  Students are not serviced properly.  Your teaching abilities are not valued.  Leadership does not want your input, they want to do walk throughs and make sure your classroom looks the same the way as the others.   There is only one mission and it revolves around the state test.   Your schedule will be changed whenever they like.  Preps are taken away as they please.  Quick to tell you that you will be written up.  Students eat lunch in the classrooms so when you come back to your room you have to clean it before you teach.  Don't think of asking for supplies... I was told "your request but we do not need to accommodate your request"....but that's not I was told in my interview.
 

The work environment at Atmosphere is very toxic and stressful. The leaders lead with power over purpose and do not respect teachers as well as females. They will also do what’s best for them rather then look for the best interest of the students and their families. The students are constantly testing thus giving them ptsd when taking the state test.  This school is more concerned with students learning academic systems rather than the skills needed to perform on grade level or mastery on exams. Unwillingness to adapt to change often makes other employers’ jobs difficult and stressful which then in turns affects the students. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The students and some staff make that place worthwhile 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
That organization as a whole as a serious power struggle. The people at the top of the company act like their shoe sizes and not their age. They overwork those sweet children/ staff and have unreasonable ways to  discipline them. They treat the students like it’s a jail in there. Thankful for those in that building that show up and actually care about those children.

The leadership team is to top heavy one person will say yes the other will say no and you have no clue who is who I feel bad for anyone that thinks this is a great place bc online we look amazing  and like it is a fun school but really the kids are in over crowded classes rooms and are just get ready to pass the state exam no real teaching teacher must only test prep all year long no time for the teachers to teach critical learning etc. and long long days in meetings talking about nothing pay is good but u will not have time to spend it enjoy 

What is the best part of working at the company?
This is a very supportive company and well worth your time and investment. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
I really don't feel stressed. Teachers are very much supported.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
A great building school with great students.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Teaching teaching teaching and preparing for more teaching.

Very disorganized, toxic work culture.  The people in leadership are dishonest and lack any type of professional integrity.  I feel sorry for all the hardworking teachers and the students who suffer from the revolving door of staff--I cannot emphasize enough what a complete dumpster fire of a place this is--someone should take this up with their Board--this isn't a school, it's a bunch of very incompetent and dishonest people thinking they're amazing--meanwhile they're messing with kids' lives. 

As a substitute teacher for nearly two months, I needed work while coming off from a termination. My goal was to learn the process and eventually start working there as a teacher full time, and I was lucky enough because their 6th Grade Math Teacher was taking an academic leave. The problem was that I started as a probationary employee, and it was not a guarantee that they would keep me.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Administration cares about its scholars, staff, and faculty members.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Classroom management is very challenging.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
I see that they are doing their job very well.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I was busy from 8:00 am through 5:00 pm.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
High school teacher 16 salaries reported	$92,258 per year
Special education teacher 29 salaries reported	$100,500 per year
Teacher 1 salary reported	$100,102 per year
Social studies teacher 6 salaries reported	$102,667 per year
Mathematics teacher 3 salaries reported	$97,000 per year

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