A TFA alum who has stayed in public school teaching and gotten increasingly turned off to TFA, and who follows my work, forwarded to me an email that demonstrates a new tactic by TFA, perhaps as s/he notes, in response to the criticisms of TFA this past summer by the National Education Association, the larger of the two main teachers unions.
I offer this for informational purposes only, but have made sure that BOTH NEA and AFT are aware of this new tactic.
Peace.
From: Arroyo, Tamara
Date: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 8:30 PM
Subject: Back to school webinar on union leadership
As you head back to the classroom this year, we’d like to invite you to join our partner, Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) and other Teach For America alumni teachers and LEE members on September 8 from 8-9 pm ET/5-6 pm PT for a special webinar to help you consider new leadership opportunities as a teacher in your classroom and community.
This webinar is specifically designed for you - TFA alumni teachers - to explore and reflect on ways to advocate for what’s best for your students and you as a teacher. During the webinar, you'll have an opportunity to learn more about the history and current role of teachers unions, as well as opportunities to get more involved.
Our presenters will include staff from The Future Is Now Schools formerly Green Dot Public Schools), who are building a network of unionized charter schools around the country, as well as several LEE members serving in union leadership positions.
We hope that you’ll join us on September 8 for this exciting webinar. You can register here (please note that you’ll need to take a minute to sign up as a member of LEE, if you haven’t already).
Best of luck starting off your school year!
Tamara
Tamara Arroyo
Director, Teacher Leadership Initiative
Teach For America