It was really interesting to hear what our guest speaker on Wednesday had to say about TFA. I'd never heard of this program until then and I found it intriguing for sure. From what I gathered about the program, it sounds to me like it'd be a good opportunity for anyone trying to get into teaching. Even if you're not sure if you want to teach in those kinds of areas or with at risk kids, it's a good teaching experience to go through. Plus, since this program would place you at a school, this program can help you determine whether teaching is really for you or not. It sounds like TFA is looking for certain kinds of people at each time. Who knows, maybe not getting accepted the first time, but applying a second time and getting accepted will work out better for you. My major is foreign language education and I'm kind of on the fence about whether I really want to teach or if I want to do something else. I think for me, personally, it would be worth it to apply to TFA. If I was accepted, I think the experience could really help me make a decision about teaching. I went on to the website and it really gets you thinking about the program and also makes you wonder about how it would be teaching in low-income communities: http://www.teachforamerica.org
I agree with your perspective on Teach for America. I like how you bring up that TFA is a good experience to go through to really figure out if teaching is for you or not. I think for me it would definitely be worth applying too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I think of TFA as a way to "try out teaching." In fact, that's one of the major criticisms of the program; that young folks from fancy colleges who don't understand the impact of marginalization on people in low-income communities waltz into classrooms and "try on" being a teacher. That mindset can be painful for children and their families--just like you remember your own third grade teacher, you'd be the only third grade teacher a real human being would ever have.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of TFA as a way to lend effort toward closing opportunity gaps in low-income neighborhoods. While TFA is a two-year commitment, it is, ultimately, a commitment. It is also a huge undertaking, which is why the organization provides pedagogical and instructional support along the way. You're absolutely correct that it's a good experience to go through--it is an AMAZING experience. My students were some of the most lovable humans and it was a pleasure to be their teacher. It was also exhausting, emotionally draining, frustrating, a crap ton of work, often confusing, and occasionally not even very fun. But realizing that a fifth grader reading on a third grade level when I met him in August would be moving to sixth grade as a candidate to exit special education, thereby increasing his chances of taking the high school classes that could make college a real opportunity if he wanted it? That is why I went to work every single day.
I'm thrilled to hear you're considering the program. Interaction with foreign languages are an important part of reasoning development, in addition to being immensely useful. There's no shame in wanting to teach in contexts different from the ones in which TFA usually works. Think about your career goals, and get my email address from Dr. Glassman if you'd like to talk more about the TFA experience!
When I first starting looking at Teach For America I also thought, is this for me? I love the idea of giving back and helping those in which I had similar experiences or backgrounds with. I used the term "trying out" teaching as well because teaching had always been a desire of mine. With my passion for change in youth and unclarity for becoming a teacher, I thought that this two year commitment would be perfect. I could learn about myself while helping others. I think it's okay to say try out teaching if you have those desires and commitments to the cause of Teach For America, the students, community, family, etc. You have to be willing to grind it out and work hard and never give up.
ReplyDeleteI think that technically, all those who weren't teachers previously who enter Teach For America, are "trying out" teaching because they never done it before until being accepted, going through training, and practicing what they learned. As talked about before, not everyone who enter Teach For America, remain teachers or stay in education related careers.
If you decide to apply, I wish you the best of luck !! :)