Working at A Step Up Academy: 3 Reviews

Students and staff are wonderful!! If you have experience working with children with disabilities, you will be okay. If you are new to this field, this school will not be a positive experience for you. There’s limited (practically none) training. The school though founded for children with autism now excepts all types of disabilities. Though this would be a wonderful idea, ASUA can barley serve the needs of the children with autism. In my honest opinion they are FAILING these children and their staff. Behavioral support is only given to the most aggressive students. If you are a teacher or RBT, you will not be properly supervised. They continue to grow and expand despite being understaffed. They say the staffing shortage is the issue but really it’s the lack of support, lack of training and poor pay that has people leaving and not wanting to work here. Though the head of the school of attentive she can only do so much. You will do lots of work for little pay, no recognition, no feedback on work and No training. THESE KIDS DESERVE BETTER.

Pros

The students are amazing and the staff cares and are wonderful

Cons

No training, lack of support, poor communication, low pay, and

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You're just seen as coverage despite your title

Instructional Assistant (Former Employee) - Abington, PA - October 6, 2022

Let's start with the good! Coworkers are very easy going and easy to get along with. Many people become good friends here at this school. Head of school is absolutely wonderful and a great person to talk to about anything. Bosses make themselves available to talk about anything which is extremely helpful and makes you feel heard. You have a good work life balance for the most part! (Unless you are a teacher/assistant teacher/IA who runs groups you do not get a lot of prep time or any!) Now for the cons... Multiple times, I, and MANY other coworkers felt unheard and disrespected by the behavior team by the way they spoke down to us. It can be frustrating at times because it seems as though some rules can be bent for some kids but not all of them (almost feels like there are favorites). Also, at times it feels as though in order to avoid a fight, students are allowed to do whatever which is not preparing them for the real world. The worst part of the job is you are just seen as coverage! They will put you wherever and whenever and do not show much sympathy if you are not getting breaks because it's always "kids come first." I have missed my lunch multiple times and was expected to do so with a smile. Overall, I would not recommend this job to anyone unless they have A LOT of experience working with students on the more severe side of the spectrum.

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A Step Up Academy insights

Based on 3 survey responses

What people like

Supportive environment
Ability to learn new things
Inclusive work environment

Areas for improvement

General feeling of work happiness
Trust in colleagues
Sense of belonging

ASUA is a great place to work

Director (Current Employee) - Abington, PA - May 13, 2021

ASUA is filled with dedicated and caring educational professionals who are committed to the mission of the school. It's amazing working with kids every day and seeing them grow and succeed. The job is fast-paced and working with kids with special needs can be stressful but it's very rewarding. The management values new ideas and there is upward growth for those who want it.