Teach for America

Hello.  I am a senior in college and an infrequent diarist here due mainly to my classes/other time committments.  As a senior in college I need something to do next year.  I am considering applying to th Teach for America program.  I would like your advice if you have any experience with this program or with teaching, or even if you don't.

The Teach for America program seems to me to be something alot of liberals/progressives/do-gooders would have some experience with - they give you a bit of training and stick you in a school system with under-privileged kids and you teach for two years.  I would hope to teach history or social studies in high school.

As I said before, I am still debating whether or not to apply for this program.  I haven't heard very much first hand about it, and what I have heard has been mixed.  I am also considering other options, including applying to teaching jobs outside of Teach for America, going to law school, getting a Masters in International Relations or something like that, applying to work for my Congressman Ed Markey (who I interned for one summer), and applying to work for the CIA.

Eventually in my life I want to do something in which I can serve my community (through teaching or otherwise), whether that is my local community, national community or world-wide community.

I do not have the option to take any time off between graduating and getting a job because I need continuous health insurance coverage.

So - anybody here with experience teaching, specifically teaching in underprivileged school systems, or even more specifically with the Teach for America program, drop some comments!

Thank you.

•  Recommended

  It's a great way to get culture shock without leaving the country.

  by TarheelDem on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:30:49 PM PDT

  •  did you do it?

    I know they have spots in north carolina, but I would probably request to be stuck in a city .

    by a517dogg on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:32:10 PM PDT

    •  No

      A friend of my daughter's from St. Louis wound up in rural North Carolina.

      But city schools can be a shock too.

      by TarheelDem on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:37:15 PM PDT

•  my friend

  that did it a couple years ago up in Baltimore enjoyed her experience.  it was tough as hell, but in the end she was glad she did it.

  the other option for national service is AmeriCorp.   have some friends that did NCCC and loved it.

  anyone that has given me advice on law school has told me to make sure thats what you want to do before you go in there. its 3 years and will put you many dollars in debt and then you gotta pay it back, most people end up selling part of their idealism working hella hours for a big firm before they can do something they care about.

  i personally went the non-profit route and now im actually blogging for a living and loving it.

  by juls on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:32:53 PM PDT

•  My nephew went through TFA in MS

  I couldn't accurately summarize his experience although I know there were both positives and negatives (but he is a teacher now).  If you let me know your e-mail address I can try to get you in touch with him.  E-mail me at mrspeeltwentyfive at comcast dot net. (substitute the number for the spelled out number-this is to foil those who harvest e-mail addresses for spam)  

  Whatever you choose to do, your heart is in the right place.

  by yellowdog on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:35:34 PM PDT

  •  I know somebody who just started this fall

    ...wonderful young man, who last I heard was waiting anxiously for a teaching assignment somewhere in southern California.  Last I saw him he was very excited about the training he'd received, just waiting for that all-important assignment.  I can perhaps get you in touch with him.  Get me an email address at wwellenataoldotcom, and I'll try to put you in touch.  

    by worldwideellen on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:50:21 PM PDT

•  I'm a career counselor at a university

  I've been impressed with TFA.  They are honest about the fact that the experience isn't for everyone, so that's probably why you've heard mixed reviews.  It is a great way to see if teaching is for you and to work in communities that really need your help.  I recommend that you go to your university's career office and get their feedback.  I believe TFA will also put you in touch with people who have served in the program.  Talk to them about their experiences to get an idea of whether it will be a good fit for you.

  I also recommend that you talk to the admissions offices of the graduate schools that you are considering.  Ask them if TFA will make you more competitive in the application process or if it can give you a leg up in obtaining financial aid.

  Talk to as many people as you can before you make your decision.  Good luck!

  by sja on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 03:59:19 PM PDT

  •  unfortunately

    the career office at my university blows.  the last time i went there, they told me to use google to try and find my internship (as if it was a newfangled invention i wouldn't have heard of before).

    i'm also not considering any specific grad schools yet.  but i will ask around and see if TFA makes me more competitive.

    by a517dogg on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 04:04:20 PM PDT

•  My nephew taught w/

  Teach for America in New Orleans for two years after graduating from Tulane.  He probably lost all of his stuff (which was in storage) in the hurricane.  He's afraid of what has happened to "his" kids, who were all desperately poor.  He's currently working in Alaska, but if you want to send me an email with some questions, I can see if I can get him in contact with you.  He'll be home for a few days next week.

  Good luck to you!

  bricknercj at msn dot com

  by CJB on Thu Sep 15, 2005 at 04:45:40 PM PDT