PROS & CONS: My Teach for America Experience

[@TeacherTherapy]

You did a really kind and fair review of TFA! I did it too, and can relate to a lot of your experiences! :)

[@NinaThomas]

I’m actually so glad that TFA talks about race, especially white educators are teaching students of color. TFA defn looks good on a resume but I think the program structure at its core is problematic.

[@NinaThomas]

When White *

[@sharonrinkiewicz3940]

What is wrong with the structure?

[@NinaThomas]

@@sharonrinkiewicz3940 Putting teachers into high needs areas for two year commitments. The first two years of teaching are the hardest and you are probably the least effective at that time!

[@sarahperrine5723]

Thanks for sharing, this was so informative. I'm sorry you felt you couldn't fully be yourself and to hear how competitive it was... especially when everyone was there and striving to become a TEACHER! Good luck in your teaching career! Thank you for the video!

[@mominurrahman6469]

Hi How are you. My name is momin. My country name is Bangladesh. I want to be your friend. I am a single male. My WhatsApp and imo app and Viber app number [phone] add me please

[@AlessandrotvEnglish]

Hi, Faith. Thank you. Two years is not a long time. I have been teaching in the public system for 16 years and I am on sabbatical, if I may use that word. I clearly understand what you mean to have thick skin. In America, you ought to have it. In public school, you need to get there with the attitude that no one is your friend, then you weed out who might end up being of good support and who might not. Of course, always being polite, and not getting into discussions or arguments that don´t add anything positive at all. Always CYA! That´s the way around in the public system, unfortunately.

[@dymantdance]

i really appreciate how honest your thoughts are... both your pros and cons!

[@mominurrahman6469]

My name is momin. I want to be your friend. I am a single male. My WhatsApp and imo app and Viber app number [phone] add me please

[@J.S.3259]

The problem with TFA is that it’s designed to support charter schools, which are in turn committed to dismantling public education and teachers’ unions. It’s a really awful, cult-like organization, and their ties to people like the Walton family should make you reconsider aligning with them

[@WoodyWoodss17]

Just out of college. Thanks for the advice! Definitely going to sub first and get my feet wet

[@tapdance6767]

Just found you! Thank you for your information!

[@fremontpathfinder8463]

And what do they do to teachers who go through full credential programs which make us far more competent than TFA corp members? Saddle us with student loans. Teaching is a profession, not a five week training session. The question is, why aren't real public school teachers provided these opportunities? I will tell you that yes, you are right, you need veteran teachers. I wasn't fully competent until my 6th year.

[@sharonrinkiewicz3940]

What about the folks who have a BA in a problem area, want to teach, but are not certified. They already have student loans they are trying to pay off. Should they be barred from a career? I would think the additional five weeks of training is better than nothing. It's better than being thrown into a classroom with zero training. Will it make them an expert at classroom management? No.
Think of the substitute teacher for a minute. Most of them have zero training, zero expertise in a particular subject area. They apply one day and thrown into a classroom the next. Some states only require they have an AA degree, or worse yet, a high school diploma or GED.

[@mikaylaharris7990]

Have you heard anything from the New Mexico corps? I'm applying and I am leaning towards listing New Mexico as my first option, but I haven't been able to find any videos on it!

[@KayGeanna]

How’s the living arrangement? Did you find going through this program helped you with work? Also, you apply for a scholarship & the selected recipients get their Master’s paid for?

[@marsandfruit6135]

Yes! I have this question as well 😃

[@alexysbroderick7521]

Hi! I am trying to find out more about TFA and found your video! You said you're from greater Tulsa, is this Tulsa Oklahoma?! If so I'd love to connect about your experience in TFA from a tulsa perspective! I am from Tulsa Oklahoma myself.

[@faithkfarris]

Yes, this is Tulsa, OK.

[@Bunnyboo3419]

So what about your housing during that training period in the summer? I’m just scared i get put in a region like Texas and Im from New Jersey, how am I going to pay for rent or housing?

[@faithkfarris]

they provided all housing and even gave us meals.

[@Drrayoldman]

Please tell me about the exams required. Did you have to pass the praxis or CBEST. I can't get past the Praxis math.

[@faithkfarris]

I took the Praxis.

[@Michael-kb3tt]

Thanks so much! I lol’ed at the end.

[@fryler1]

Great video!!! Are you going to continue teaching?

[@henryrussell9058]

Which regions are you referring to when you talk about expensive + bad pay? I am very interested in TFA and I would like to hopefully do it in the Los Angeles area, I was wondering if you know anything about that?

[@faithkfarris]

Honestly, I didn't hear the best stories from the LA corps members. It could change though! I'm sure there are always people rotating in and out of leadership positions. I do know Los Angeles corps members had to pay a TON of money to get certified when I was in it, like several thousand dollars. I would ask their leadership team lots of questions. That said, I've met many of the Hawaii corps members who LOVED their experience. It's very competitive to get that location and the pay isn't the best but I guess people just really love Hawaii lol

[@morgannixon9812]

Detroit is a tough area.

[@josephjohn3560]

Thanks for the video. Where do you got that map? Is that one of those US maps that include Puerto Rico?

[@faithkfarris]

It's from Dollar Tree so I'm not sure! I got rid of it a couple months ago.

[@paulanthonymartin5315]

@@faithkfarris I'm also a new Christian god bless god is real

[@kylesimmions]

I have a question about when your accepted and the timeline.
I haven’t seen any videos on the passing of praxis content exams before regional start date. I stink at tests. What if I fail my praxis science content test?
Can I still be apart of teach for America? Do I need to pass the test before my regional start date?
For 2020 corps.

[@faithkfarris]

I'm pretty sure you'll just have to keep taking it until you pass. I think you can be apart of TFA, but you can't get paid as a teacher unless you pass. There were a few alternative certified teachers at my school who hadn't even taken it before getting hired! They just took it right when school started. In the meantime, they were paid a lower salary. Every region is different though.

[@stephaniedelgado9187]

How is TFA in Colorado? :)

[@June-eh2gd]

Wondering too?

[@faithkfarris]

I am not really sure! I didn't meet a single person in that region.

[@andrewevans5750]

@@faithkfarris You kinda have to live here and be stable already. COL is too high for out of staters. I might apply but would try to stick to Pueblo/COS/rural area within driving distance. Otherwise, best of luck because I am not moving out of my $900 a month condo to pay $2000 per month for a studio in a rural town even if I am passionate about helping out.

[@livf891]

What locations are the ones that quit a lot?

[@faithkfarris]

As far as I know, there aren't really any locations that retain every single person. My location (Tulsa) brags about being able to retain a large number of teachers in the area, but we had like 12 people quit. And every year is different. I'm not sure if the members after us had more or less. People who quit do it for a variety of reasons including:
1) Getting their last location and hating it.
2) Hating the way TFA is run (it can honestly be a lot sometimes)
3) Realizing they don't want to be a teacher (THIS is the overarching reason in my opinion. The prior things are just contributing factors)