Teach for America

[Lux Et Veritas Academy]

Does anyone have experience with Teach for America?

Would you recommend it?

What was your experience with it?

 

 

Thanks in Advance!

[Kathy in Richmond]

:lurk5:

 

My college sophomore daughter is considering applying for Teach For America in a couple of years after she gets her Bachelor's degree. So far I've been reading the TFA threads over at College Confidential. I understand that getting in is an extensive process with no guarantee.

 

I'd also be interested in hearing any personal stories.:)

[MBM]

My daughter's friend from Northwestern U. participated in Teach for America. It was what led her to not become a teacher. I think her group of kids (from Chicago) were rambunctious and difficult to teach, which she found frustrating. I'm sure there are many better experiences, though.

 

Notre Dame offers a M.Ed. summer program that allows teachers to study for their master's degree for two summers at N.D. in exchange for teaching in under-resourced Catholic schools for a few years. I believe the program is free or low cost, but I'm not sure. Although the teacher would be placed in a Catholic school, many of the schools do not require teachers to be Catholic. Of course, a non-Catholic might not want to do it regardless, but for others, it could be a good way to get a master's degree for not too much money. Another plus is that, IMO, Catholic schools tend to give teachers more leeway and parents are usually involved.

 

http://ace.nd.edu/advocates/programs-and-services/degree-and-certificate-programs/ace-service-through-teaching

 

Kathy, do you think U of Chicago or Harvard might have some information or programs for math students interested in teaching?

 

Another opportunity for a teacher -- maybe down the road-- would be the Fulbright exchange.

 

http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/

 

The NEH also offers awards for teachers to study during summer.

 

http://www.neh.gov/projects/si-school.html

[jennynd]

Notre Dame offers a M.Ed. summer program that allows teachers to study for their master's degree for two summers at N.D. in exchange for teaching in under-resourced Catholic schools for a few years. I believe the program is free or low cost, but I'm not sure. Although the teacher would be placed in a Catholic school, many of the schools do not require teachers to be Catholic. Of course, a non-Catholic might not want to do it regardless, but for others, it could be a good way to get a master's degree for not too much money. Another plus is that, IMO, Catholic schools tend to give teachers more leeway and parents are usually involved.

 

http://ace.nd.edu/advocates/programs-and-services/degree-and-certificate-programs/ace-service-through-teaching

 

l

 

WOW.. That sounds great. Go IRISH!!!

[Teachin'Mine]

My daughter's friend from Northwestern U. participated in Teach for America. It was what led her to not become a teacher. I think her group of kids (from Chicago) were rambunctious and difficult to teach, which she found frustrating. I'm sure there are many better experiences, though.

 

Notre Dame offers a M.Ed. summer program that allows teachers to study for their master's degree for two summers at N.D. in exchange for teaching in under-resourced Catholic schools for a few years. I believe the program is free or low cost, but I'm not sure. Although the teacher would be placed in a Catholic school, many of the schools do not require teachers to be Catholic. Of course, a non-Catholic might not want to do it regardless, but for others, it could be a good way to get a master's degree for not too much money. Another plus is that, IMO, Catholic schools tend to give teachers more leeway and parents are usually involved.

 

http://ace.nd.edu/advocates/programs-and-services/degree-and-certificate-programs/ace-service-through-teaching

 

Kathy, do you think U of Chicago or Harvard might have some information or programs for math students interested in teaching?

 

Another opportunity for a teacher -- maybe down the road-- would be the Fulbright exchange.

 

http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/

 

The NEH also offers awards for teachers to study during summer.

 

http://www.neh.gov/projects/si-school.html

 

I know someone who went through this program a few years ago, and absolutely loved it! He loved teaching the children and I'm sure they loved him as a teacher too. It was an awesome opportunity and opened many doors upon graduation.

[Kathy in Richmond]

My daughter's friend from Northwestern U. participated in Teach for America. It was what led her to not become a teacher. I think her group of kids (from Chicago) were rambunctious and difficult to teach, which she found frustrating. I'm sure there are many better experiences, though.

 

Hi MBM! Thanks for the personal story. I've been reading about different TFA experiences online, and they seem to run the gamut from excellent to scary. I'm proud of my daughter for considering the program, but at the same time, I'm a little worried. I'd hate to see her commit to a bad situation or a group of students she couldn't handle. Well, she has time to explore and think about it over the next two years.:)

 

Notre Dame offers a M.Ed. summer program that allows teachers to study for their master's degree for two summers at N.D. in exchange for teaching in under-resourced Catholic schools for a few years. I believe the program is free or low cost, but I'm not sure. Although the teacher would be placed in a Catholic school, many of the schools do not require teachers to be Catholic. Of course, a non-Catholic might not want to do it regardless, but for others, it could be a good way to get a master's degree for not too much money. Another plus is that, IMO, Catholic schools tend to give teachers more leeway and parents are usually involved.

 

http://ace.nd.edu/advocates/programs-and-services/degree-and-certificate-programs/ace-service-through-teaching

 

Ooh, now that sounds like a great match for her! She could still help disadvantaged kids. We're Catholic, so it's a good fit for her in that way,too. Thanks so much! I'll definitely pass this link on to her.

 

Kathy, do you think U of Chicago or Harvard might have some information or programs for math students interested in teaching?

 

Another opportunity for a teacher -- maybe down the road-- would be the Fulbright exchange.

 

http://www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org/

 

The NEH also offers awards for teachers to study during summer.

 

http://www.neh.gov/projects/si-school.html

 

No idea about Chicago or Harvard, but we'll look into it. Thanks for the additional links, too. She's definitely thinking that her future is in education, but not the status quo. She's very interested in improving the system. And she definitely wants to pursue at least a Master's degree in education at some point. Just today I saw (on her FB!) that she's joined Students for Educational Reform on her campus.

 

I know someone who went through this program a few years ago' date=' and absolutely loved it! He loved teaching the children and I'm sure they loved him as a teacher too. It was an awesome opportunity and opened many doors upon graduation.[/quote']

 

Thanks for your input, too! Do you know what he did next after completing the TFA program?

[tex-mex]

The rural (impoverished -- lots of meth labs) area of the Mojave Desert I taught at had a number of TFA candidates. One young lady I taught next door to had an impressive college resume. She had some "shellshock" being adjusted to teaching in our area and after one year was reconsidering quitting the program. But she stuck it out and did her time for TFA. She ended up moving off to better teaching pastures in Southern CA -- more "wealthier" school districts where her family lived.

 

I know of another TFA candidate who taught at my same school who had no problems adjusting to the socioeconomic difference and difficulty with below grade level abilities in her class with few resources. She ended up marrying a local guy and still teaches in the same school district 15 years later. Another TFA candidate in our school district ended up as a principal and also stayed in the same school district -- met his wife as a fellow teacher.

[Teachin'Mine]

 

Thanks for your input, too! Do you know what he did next after completing the TFA program?

 

He's working in educational policy for a foundation, and on his doctorate. He was in the ND program. :)

[Kathy in Richmond]

He's working in educational policy for a foundation' date=' and on his doctorate. He was in the ND program. :)[/quote']

Cool! The ND program definitely sounds like something to keep in mind. That's the kind of career path I think that my daughter would enjoy. Thanks!