Teach for America

Gus Money

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What are your views on Teach for America? Anyone here done it or know someone working in the program?

I got accepted last year but I decided against joining after doing more research and speaking with the staff directly. I kind of regret it sometimes because it probably would have opened more doors for me (especially now that my current plans just blew up in my face), but some of their views and policies don't sit right with me.

I remember going to the interview and most of the people there had no experience working/volunteering with kids and that was kind of weird to me. I got the hint that a lot of them weren't actually interested in becoming quality teachers.

I've read a few articles, even those from former members, calling for serious reform to the organization and criticizing their policies.
 

No1

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I know a bunch of people that did it. There are some really high quality people doing it and then there are some people who have never been in the real world. I think it's a great opportunity, but the quality of the program depends on your placement.
 

Gus Money

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I know a bunch of people that did it. There are some really high quality people doing it and then there are some people who have never been in the real world. I think it's a great opportunity, but the quality of the program depends on your placement.
Yeah, a few of the people at my interview looked like they had very little experience in the real world. The interviewers were cool though, and they seemed really passionate about helping.

You're right about the placement determining your quality. I know a few people doing it in LA and they love it, but I've heard some rough stories about teaching in Mississippi or the deep south.
 

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Yeah, a few of the people at my interview looked like they had very little experience in the real world. The interviewers were cool though, and they seemed really passionate about helping.

You're right about the placement determining your quality. I know a few people doing it in LA and they love it, but I've heard some rough stories about teaching in Mississippi or the deep south.

Bro, this isn't TLR, please elaborate more.
 

Gus Money

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Bro, this isn't TLR, please elaborate more.
Just that its a big culture shock if you're from a middle or upper class background in the midwest/northeast and you get placed in the deep south. Difficulty understanding accents and small things like that. Nothing crazy but some people really have limited interactions with people from different backgrounds so they aren't expecting it.
 

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I honestly have thought about this, more so NYC teaching fellows. Any stories would be appreciated.
 

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Just that its a big culture shock if you're from a middle or upper class background in the midwest/northeast and you get placed in the deep south. Difficulty understanding accents and small things like that. Nothing crazy but some people really have limited interactions with people from different backgrounds so they aren't expecting it.

Interesting......
 

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:dead: @ 2/3 areas for placement in LA being in rather affluent areas.

Living Here | Teach For America

Pasadena / Glendale for the most part are middle to upper middle class areas.

Marina Del Rey is filled with people who have high incomes.... :manny:

Yeah I'm sure people who live in an area filled with 100foot yachts and things, are struggling :smh:
pmyc_0073_scale.jpg

20120414_CalYachtClub_Slideshow1.jpg
 

FAH1223

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I remember that one


:obama:


Such a positive message
Good buddy of mine from college just graduated in May (we both went to Univ. of Maryland) and he was an Engineering major but he was real big on social issues and humanitarian work during his 4 years in college. So he thought teaching would be a great thing to learn if he were to focus his degree on those issues. He's doing the program right now and teaching in Detroit, he has fam up there he's staying with so its working out for him.

This other girl I know, I met her on a study abroad to Egypt (Arab girls like us Africans, brehs :whew:). She got in the program back in 2010 and went through it after studying in Egypt came to an abrupt end with the revolution last year. From her blog posts, tweets, and just good ol' conversation, she seems to really be enjoying it and seems to be very innovative with her students. She's also teaching in Detroit.

I couldn't teach though.. my patience runs a bit thin with kids and I don't think I'd be good at it :manny:
 

Spree At Last

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my cousin did teach for america, she got placed in memphis and hated it. she had a knife pulled on her by a student (taught 6th grade) and the kid just got suspended, was back in class the next week. she also got real depressed cuz her only friends were older teachers and she had a tough time meetin people her age.

on the other hand, i had two friends from college who did it and got placed in dc, they really enjoyed it (one taught middle school spanish, dunno bout the other)... both of them are now enterin law school after finishin up teach for america.
 
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