Enough Already About Your Misgivings...

I had another one of those conversations this weekend that have become all too familiar. It goes mainly like this, "What are you doing next year? Any Plans?" and they'll answer with whatever they're doing. I'll say, "I'm doing Teach for America in Denver." They follow with with, "Denver is a great city, you'll fit right in there!"

The next stage varies from person to person. Having many friends similar to myself, a lot of them will say they either looked into TFA or even applied. Some don't. And then comes the part I love to hate, the almost inevitable "I'm not really a fan of Teach for America's methods, but I'm sure you'll do great because you're not like the rest of them." 

Now what exactly does that mean? Here's what it sounds like, "I'm making a generalization based on a couple of things I've heard or read, or even based on nothing. I like you, so I'll pretend you don't qualify for my generalization." 

When people tell me they got into Harvard, or got a job on Wall Street, or don't have a job, I congratulate them on their accomplishment and tell them something nice like, "That's a great accomplishment," or "That will be a great change from being a poor college student." I don't say "I dislike your grad school or job, but I won't hold it against you." Come on people, get a little class.

I know Teach for America is hard; I know TFA hires a lot of people without teaching experience, like me; I also know that they slam us with a lot of prep work in the short time we have and all their studies show that TFA teachers have great results in the classroom. Get over it: We didn't get a four-year teaching degree, but we still have a lot to offer these kids. A lot of schools just have a hard time finding teachers, and we make it a little easier. 

Funny note: As this particular conversation progressed, the girl with whom I was chatting told me, "I don't think they adequately prepare people to teach, that's why I'm starting an NGO called 'Educators for America.'" Really, Educators for America? She went on to describe a program nearly identical to Teach for America. Good for her, it sounds like a great program, but honestly, any differences were very minor. Why be a hater?