preschool teacher

early childhood teacher

daycare teacher

teacher

educator

The Academy Child Development Centers

a typical day at work:
Very VERY Long story short, You take care of your kids based on schedule. Usually you prep for the day grabbing supplies. Having them eat breakfast. Do curriculum/teaching.  Have them eat lunch, nap, and play. You chat with co-workers and parents/close down your classroom at the end of the day. Again that's not everything but its a idea of the main task you would be doing.

what you believe you learned:
I learned how to navigate though stressful situations and how to interact/ manage a classroom better 

management:
Sadly management here doesn't exactly treat there employees well. They normally pick one to three teachers to basically make a scapegoat and tell parents and students that they are doing things that they are not doing/Talking badly about them to students + parents. Several times when I was there they talk really poorly about anyone close to them when sitting in the office. Someone was crying every week to my main teacher due to lack of support/over hearing them. But if you have tuff skin you should be fine.

workplace culture:
They have meetings every month, everyone has there clicks and groups, nothing outside a usual workplace. They have a reward they give to who they like within that month and everyone goes back to there class. Normally people don't stay past 5 months so the workplace does not stay the same.

the hardest part of the job:
The company as a whole is changing to more of a "corporate" focus. So almost everyday there is a new rule that you have to follow in your classroom. On top of that if the management feels like you should be doing something different than listed in rules they will try and make you do it because they feel like it should be done.(even if rules say otherwise) Its normally small things, (like changing posters, where names or photos go, when to do what, etc.) but when you have several kids in the classroom it gets stressful.

the most enjoyable part of the job:
Seeing the kids grow and develop + Growing yourself (as a teacher). Its truly the most rewarding experience you can have. The job isn't for everyone but if you can find your place and a age group you enjoy working in, it makes everything worth it.


The moment I pull into the parking lot at Powell Place I find myself greatfull and happy to be there. My day starts with planning the students breakfast, lunch and nutritious snacks. Serving meals and stepping into busy classrooms when needed. Food and non food items ordering, menu planning.  Receiving stock for the school.  I have learned that days are busy and working together as a team works well. From the director who's always on her toes, to the floaters and sometimes EOGs we get the job done. And at the end of the day our students leave happy.  We have the greatest management team from the office, those people are incredible to our director Carla. I've never seen someone so dedicated and work so hard for the center and her staff. I could not be more happier at Powell Place. Who wouldn't want to be hugged by a room full of little happy faces everyday, yes that actually does happen. I have the greatest admiration for the teachers they do awesome work everyday. And if I forgot to mention, teachers perks are the best! They shower us with teacher appreciation week,  Christmas, every week there's a treat day. And our conferences are the best and so much more. I always say when someone asks where's your happy place and it's always the same answer Powell Place! Come join us you won't be disappointed. 

While having a childcare background is a bonus, it did not prepare me for the amount of drama and entitlement I would have to deal with on a daily basis. Not only from staff, but also from parents and their children. Management says they have your back, but they gaslight you and manipulate you into doing what they want. Mental health is the last of their priorities. They care about the dollar amount they can get from parents. Children are often ignored and left to run the class because the teachers are so overwhelmed and overworked. Class sizes are way too big with the amount of teachers. Children don't get the necessary attention and often go unheard or ignored throughout the day. If there is ever an issue with staff or management, the issue falls on deaf ears and never gets resolved. We are often times told to look the other way. Unacceptable work environment and highly toxic. High turn over because they work you until you get sick and tired and eventually quit. Teachers aren't held accountable for their behavior. No one is treated equally and the bonuses are a joke. I don't know how it is at other centers, but my center was not a good place mentally or physically. 

Working at Academy of Gateway has been such a positive and rewarding experience. The workplace culture is incredibly supportive, welcoming, and family-oriented. Management truly cares about both the staff and the families, and it shows in the way they communicate and support everyone. I have learned so much about working with children, building meaningful relationships with families, and being part of a team that genuinely wants the best for every child. One of the things I appreciate most is how understanding and accommodating they are of my schedule as a full-time student. They are always willing to work with my school commitments, which makes balancing work and education much less stressful. It is clear that this is a place where employees are valued, supported, and cared for, and I genuinely enjoy being part of this community.

The Academy of Harpeth Village has been my work home since 2014. This place is  family oriented and everyone feels welcome as soon as they walk in the door.  I have never felt or feel  like I didn't want to be here. I love this place so much and look forward to being here everyday. The BEST part of working here is my work family. We have alot of staff that has been here for many years and I believe that says alot. We are all very supported as teachers,empowered and accepted. I have never worked for a company that does so many special things for their teachers. The company goes up above to make sure the teachers feel vauled and supported. The kids are amazing and there is never a dull moment. You definitely will get many hugs and have a good laugh everyday. We have many opportunties for professional development. The Spring/Fall Conferences are amazing and the upper management pour so much into these events.  They make them fun and they emphasis on professional development. Hands down this is the BEST place to work!!!!!


I am writing to share my sincere appreciation for the exceptional environment at this school. The stability of the core staff and management team, who have served the community for many years, is truly impressive and contributes significantly to the school’s success.

It is evident that the teachers and staff deeply care about the children in their classrooms. Their commitment to providing the best possible experience for every student is clear in everything they do.

I also want to specifically commend the management team—including Ms. Crystal, the Director; Ms. Gulestan, the Assistant Director; and the two Program Coordinators. They are consistently willing to help whenever needed and provide invaluable support to everyone in the building. Their dedication and willingness to lead by example set a wonderful tone for the entire school.
. 

Each day is never the same and you can always count on a learning experience.  There are always smiles, love, and tons of encouragement given out daily. Management is always in tune with what is happening with the staff so the environment is always positive and should there be an issue it is handled with respect and grace. There are always hard days but the good ones definitely outweigh the bad! Learning from mistakes and leading with kindness are two things that I take home with me each day from work.  I have grown both as a person and in my position in the last 6 years and I owe it to my school and my leaders that I work with each day!  Each time my child visits me at work she is treated with so much love it makes my mom heart swell ! I couldn't ask for a better place to be each day as they are my second family and I wouldn't have it any other way! 

I’ve been with The Academy Preschools since 2015, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best places I’ve ever worked. The company culture is incredibly supportive and inclusive, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued.

What I love most is the emphasis on professional development. There are ample opportunities for training and advancement, and my manager encourages me to pursue my goals. The team is made up of talented individuals who are not only great at what they do but also genuinely care about one another.

The work-life balance here is excellent, allowing me to maintain a healthy lifestyle while being productive at work. Plus, the leadership team is transparent and approachable, which makes for a collaborative atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a place that prioritizes its employees and encourages growth, I highly recommend The Academy Preschool. It’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone seeking a fulfilling career!



Working at AoMJ has been the highlight of my career. The staff is wonderful, hardworking, dedicated, creative, and caring. This is the best team I’ve ever had the honor of working with.

As for the upper management, they are so supporting. This is the first company that I’ve ever worked for that your can talk to the owner about anything and he will listen and make sure you have everything you need to set your center up for success. The COO and the Regionals are supporting, creative, and very hands on. They really have a passion for childcare and will do absolutely anything they can do to support you. They are always brainstorming opportunities to help you succeed and provide the absolute best care possible. 
The company in general invest in ongoing training by working closely with CCR&R and licensing, attending conferences, hosting leadership development trainings, etc.. 
Working for The Academy or Learning Zone is a dream come true. 

I love working at The Academy! I love being surrounded by like minded people who love working with children and thrive being in a fast-paced environment. There are always teams of teachers per classroom that work together to make their kids love to learn and have fun. The Director and Assistant Director are always eager and willing to step into a classroom to help whenever needed! There are always excellent teachers able to help train new employees and every new hire must go through orientation which helps set each teacher up for success. The company holds two annual conferences where all 12 centers get together as one to celebrate early childhood educators and continue our own professional development. I have always loved children and teaching has been a passion of mine from the start but I have truly found my home with The Academy!

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Preschool teacher 233 salaries reported	$18.36 per hour
Early childhood teacher 3 salaries reported	$17.50 per hour
Daycare teacher 9 salaries reported	$17.50 per hour
Teacher 15 salaries reported	$19.00 per hour
Educator 1 salary reported	$15.00 per hour

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