After listening in class on Wednesday about Teachers for America, it makes you think that it sounds like something that would be nice to do with going into teaching. The only thing that draws me back from doing this is the whole idea of them looking for "Certain Leadership." Even though a person is going into teaching they do get denied and like we discussed in class, many that get accepted are not going into teaching. The programs does do a lot for our nation and is helping us try to improve the education system in the United States. It would be a very good experience to get to encounter and help improve my thoughts and actions into teaching, but I'm guessing I do not have that "certain leadership" they are looking for. The article http://www.salon.com/2013/09/17/the_truth_behind_teach_for_americas_political_empire/ makes many good points. I feel as if staying in college to obtain that degree then teach would be what most parents would prefer for who would be teaching their kids. I do not see how they can teach people in 5 weeks, what university teach in 4 years. I know that if I would want teachers that have earned a college degree to be teaching my kids! Just my thought about the whole program, wonder what everyone else was thining as we sat silent in the classroom?
I think that when we are used to seeing things done a certain way, it's common to feel deeply suspicious of new-fangled notions. I'm sure many parents who grew up before the Model T preferred their children to use horse-drawn carts as transportation. I absolutely do not mean to imply that TFA is somehow superior to traditional teaching programs in the way I am certain my Honda Civic is superior to a covered wagon, but I do think it is useful. We can't let fear of doing things differently hold us back from ensuring all kids have equal access to educational opportunities -- especially when the status quo makes it incredibly difficult for students in low-income communities to access the same kinds of opportunities as their wealthier peers. Choosing not to go to college is one thing; having college not even be an option for you because you grew up in a low-income zip code is another. It is shameful--reprehensible-- to let that happen because we don't want to rock the boat.
ReplyDeleteWhat does four years of traditional training afford teachers? What does it lack? What does TFA provide? What does TFA lack? These are conversations that rock the boat, but they result in really cool opportunities for kids. They result in people who thought they wanted to be business moguls end up touching the lives of thousands of humans through a passion for social studies. I think that's pretty cool.
I'm sure the parents of my students met me and thought I looked no older than their ninth graders. It might have been difficult for some of them to take me seriously -- but it's not like I didn't receive any college education, and it doesn't mean I wasn't receiving support to be a better teacher. I hope that I proved I was dedicated to their children's success and dedicated to being a competent professional. And I hope that's what matters.