Open Letter to Teach for America

[knitter4democracy]

http://www.stonepooch.com/ablog/?p=1

This is a brilliant op-ed. Capitalism with a caste system is it exactly.

[hedgehog]

1. Agreed 100% except that the op-ed left out -

TFA puts volunteers in competition with people who have gotten certified and are trying to make a living. Why should people tax themselves to hire teachers if volunteers will come and do the job?

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. TFAers get paid

They aren't exactly volunteers. They are employees who receive salaries for their work.

[knitter4democracy]

8. The salaries are subsidized, though, so it's not the full amount.

The whole thing's a mess.

[Brickbat]

3. I think we should have TFA for all professions.

We could have Doctors for America, Roads Construction Workers for America, Social Workers for America, Public Defenders for America, Water Tower Maintenance Workers for America, and so on, all with TFA's training policies. Awesome!

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. We are being bombarded with the myth of the perfect 2nd year teacher

Heard that just last week and love it. So very true.

Great piece. Thanks! :hi:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. Brilliant. nt

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. K & R!

[madfloridian]

7. “Yes, but we’re not like them. We’re more like charters. We work hard.”

How dare she speak to a public school teacher like that. Little mouthy and self important.

Thanks for the link. Good blog post.

[knitter4democracy]

9. Not uncommon. I've had young teachers say similar crap lately.

Against the unions, think private schools are better (*snorts*) but won't teach in them because of the lower pay, think they're the only ones working hard . . . it's really annoying.

Btw, have you read Don't Work Harder Than Your Students? Great, great book. I think it would go over the TFAers' heads and probably the newbies, but it's really good.