A Huge Rise in Teach for America Recruits
What is it about teaching these days that has so many college graduates knocking on the doors of Teach for America? There are several reports today about a spectacular surge in new teachers who are headed for the classroom this fall—via Teach for America. For folks who don't know, TFA is a program that recruits top college graduates and trains them to become teachers in underserved communities.
The program, which has been around since 1990, is sending 3,700 new teachers into hard-to-staff schools this year, up from 2,900 a year ago. But guess how many applicants to the program didn't make the cut? A lot: This year, the program received 24,700 applications.
Knowing that so many recent grads are eager to teach and that only the best and the brightest will be marching into classrooms this fall warms my heart. But the skeptical reporter in me can't help but wonder what other forces are at play here. Last I checked, teachers are still complaining about low pay. (Earlier this week, I blogged about a cash-strapped teacher who wrote a book for other cash-strapped teachers.) Teachers also complain about working conditions. (Mention No Child Left Behind, and you're bound to get an earful from most teachers.)
Assuming these college grads have done their homework and know what they're getting themselves into, why are so many filling out the TFA application? Media reports say the program has really upped its presence on college campuses and is hiring more college grads than any other employer.
Another theory floating around has to do with the crummy U.S. economy. It may be forcing a lot of recent college grads to forgo their plans to travel the world for a "stable" job—at least until the times get better. I don't buy this theory either. Why not go, instead, to Bolivia or Vietnam, where the dollar is still king? Why not get a higher-paying job in marketing or consulting? (I know nothing about these jobs. I just assume they pay better.)
For now, I am content to think that Teach for America is attracting graduates who are eager to make a difference—no matter how challenging the job or low the salary. But this explanation alone isn't satisfying. I want to open up the floor for other theories. If you're a college student and you're considering Teach for America or another avenue into teaching, I want to know why.
Tags: teachers | Teach for America
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Reader Comments
Brightest Students or Those from Low Income?
I just got rejected (Oct 06, 2009) from advancing to the personal day long interview. I am graduating with a MA and have 4.0. I also have been teaching now at a college level for a year and a half. My wife who I dearly love is graduating with B.A at 3.8 passed to the in person interview stage. She has no teaching experience except for tutoring. The only thing that we can put together of why she advanced and I did not is that she is from a 3rd World country. We were asked the same questions during the phone interview and answered almost the same way. So whats the deal?
TFA
I'm sure that the majority of grads going into TFA have at least some passion for educating underprivileged youths, but i also think there are a lot of external reasons that benefit the grads that make the program so popular. For example, dedicating 2 yrs to TFA is a sure fire way to have most grad/law/med schools choose you for competitive programs. I'm sure most employers also look very favorably on former TFA teachers. Don't think for a second that these grads are 'sacrificing' 2 yrs of their lives for social good. They get paid back in the long run in a variety of ways.
Teach for America
Throughout my college experience, I have tried to be involved in organizations related to diversity and equality. Our generation will be defined in history books as the Obama generation and as he called for in his inaguaral address, we must also be the service generation. Many recent grads are not troubled by significant family and financial responsibilities and therefore are willing to invest all of their time and energy for this cause. Also, with the social unrest overseas, TFA gives recent grads an opportunity to fight for a cause that is significantly safer than programs such as the Peace Corp.
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