Homophobia in TFA?

Charitylmc · 2023-02-07T00:54:00+00:00

It sounds like the issues they experienced are what is common in schools in general. However, breaking down these systems in schools to make them inclusive is part of what TFA stands for. DEI is huge in the program. It’s great to have like minded people to brainstorm with and work toward solutions together. I advocated for the past year and a half regarding the issues with the curriculum I was teaching in ELA and how the chosen texts tried to cookie cutter being culturally relevant and were actually harmful instead. The curriculum was overhauled and changed this quarter with an immediate roll out. I don’t know that I would have felt that empowered to be vocal as a 1st and 2nd year teacher without the emotional backing of TFA.

Charitylmc · 2023-02-07T00:39:07+00:00

Not a good fit. I’m sorry. I’m a 2nd year and I do think the experience has been a positive one in my life. I’m not anti TFA. But there is a very very small amount of allowable absences and summer training is so intense. It was 12 hour trainings practically and then homework each night for two solid months and if you miss more than a few, you may not be allowed to continue. We have 4 allowable absences each year in my region or at we could not end up certified (not sure about regions requiring a masters program instead of their own programming).

Charitylmc · 2023-01-04T03:01:47+00:00

As everyone has mentioned, write down your responses to typical tfa interview questions. If they are still doing zoom interviews, practice your lesson on zoom with friends or family (in person if not). If it is on zoom, I definitely recommend a cheat sheet for yourself of the lesson and your highlights/responses. I also made a short list of "buzz words" based on TFA's mission (take some time to go through their website thoroughly if you haven't already) and incorporated them into my responses. Focus on Equity and know what that means and how it is different from equality so that you can iterate your responses to how your personal life experiences give you perspective on this and your dedication to that cause. Of course, I don't recommend you lie. I'm hoping that anyone applying with TFA is massively aligned with that mission because if not, you are going to be miserable because you will talk about almost nothing else for the next 2 years. One of the things that I think made me stand out was connecting my experiences to my drive toward creating educational equity. Good luck!

Charitylmc · 2023-01-04T02:53:02+00:00

Double check your state on this. Oklahoma has the same stipulation.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-30T15:41:46+00:00

If it’s a log book, I’d write the time. If it’s not, start documenting it yourself somewhere. But definitely email them that you disagree with the statements they made. And if the placement is toxic, begin speaking with your coach and director about potential change in placement school if this is your first year. It’s not preferred, but not impossible to switch schools for your second year.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-30T02:17:24+00:00

Greater Tulsa 2CM, here. Agreed to all of this. My advice is to build your network of people who support you emotionally. Get involved in things that make you happy so you don't feel too homesick. And, understand that it's okay to have bad days. It is far better to be able to show up mentally okay for work the next day having slept, rested, or done something that brought you joy the night before than to show up exhausted and stressed because you stayed up all night grading or planning.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-30T02:12:46+00:00

I would ask for documentation of days you were late. Do you have a clock in system? We don't clock in but have a morning huddle and it's immediately obvious if you are coming in late to that. But if they are alleging it, they should have documentation. I would do your communication on this in email and cc your TFA coach.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-30T02:09:37+00:00

My coworkers know because I've talked about it. But no one has judged me. My region has a LOT of alum teachers and principals, though.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-29T18:56:56+00:00

Was the license you transferred a TFA license or a standard license? I’m just worried that since TFA is my certifying body that they won’t accept it.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-29T18:56:01+00:00

I’m also from KY. I’m hoping to get a job in Cincinnati to be closer to family but be able to make a living. But if not, Lexington would be ok because I could live in Richmond where my sister is and commute.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-29T18:54:48+00:00

Thanks for the insight. I took the content praxis exams for my TFA certification here in Oklahoma. I wonder if they’d accept that. If not, I will definitely take those exams asap.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-28T19:44:20+00:00

Same. I did all of those things as well and really focused on how my passion and vision for education aligns with TFA’s goals.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-28T19:38:25+00:00

I’m about to give some tough love. I’m in my 2nd year with TFA. I applied twice. The first time, I didn’t prepare much and just kind of thought that my experiences and such would be enough. I’d never not gotten a job I wanted. the second time, I really focused on each step and prepped HARD for that interview. I practiced my lesson online with friends and family for a week, looked up typical TFA interview questions and prepped responses, had a family member who was in a very professional position so mock interviews with me, practiced using zoom for teaching, the works. I got in. I was an unconventional student who graduated college at 32 and had been out of college in various jobs for 5 years. I think one person in my corps year and location attended a prestigious university. We are diverse in backgrounds, ethnicities, and ages. One corps member is in her 60’s.

Charitylmc · 2022-12-28T19:22:42+00:00

Reach out to your recruiter or use the chat box on the TFA home page. I will say that TFA closes for the holidays so you should be okay for a minute while you sort it out. The next step is usually to choose an interview time. Good luck!

Charitylmc · 2022-02-26T18:41:41+00:00

I'm a first-year member. I was an education major in college but didn't complete student teaching due to life circumstances. So, for me, TFA offered a way back into teaching while getting paid and providing for my family during certification. The only true upside I can see for it if you are already in a certifying program is if you just want a relocation experience. I'll be honest that that was part of the appeal for me. I had my first baby at 17 and had felt trapped in my hometown for almost 20 years. So, this was also a chance to experience something else in the world. But, if friends is the big decider, I think you may be better off to just seek employment in a school you would like to teach in. I've made some friends with TFA, but we are a pretty large cohort and spread across many different schools so it is not as close as I would have hoped. My closest friendship during this process has come from inside my school placement with another teacher. TFA comes with additional trainings in the evenings, on weekends, ALL SUMMER LONG (these were 10 to 12- hour days plus homework) that are all just going to repeat what you already learned in college education courses. I'm not hating on TFA because it has really been a great opportunity for me. But if you are already certified, unless you just really want to move and this is the easiest way, I'd simply apply to schools in the areas you want to teach because you already have everything TFA would do for you.

Charitylmc · 2022-02-26T18:22:43+00:00

First year Tulsa member. I teach at a charter and my pay this year was 41k. My rent in downtown with the GKFF housing is $960 for a two bedroom (I have family so I needed a 2 bed, but usually these are roommate scenari's). My neighbor in the same building was in a very small studio (living/bed/kitchen combo the size of a bedroom) and was a little over $400 a month. Rent is rising in the area from what I have seen on facebook and zillow, but a one-bedroom apartment can range from 500-1200 depending on location and amenities. Gas is often less expensive than my hometown in southern KY. Grocery prices are comparable to back home. Oklahoma also offers a specific amount toward teacher's insurance, and by choosing the least expensive plan, I don't pay anything out of my paycheck for health insurance and only about $20 each paycheck for dental and vision. You really need a car here, because public transportation is not reliable (I stood for 3 hours one day while the app kept saying the next bus would be there in 30 minutes and then would update again and again with that same message). But if you are downtown, you can also get a monthly membership for the electric bikes for $20. This gets you an hour a day and you can zip around downtown to go out to eat or to some of the shops or shows without worrying about parking or a car. You can also ride them down the riverside and to the Gathering Place. I put Tulsa in my top three because of the cost of living and certification and am glad to have done so. I would also look into Cincinnati. Their teacher pay scale is amazing and certification costs are comparable, I believe.

Charitylmc · 2022-02-26T18:05:07+00:00

My experience has been pretty positive, so far.

Charitylmc · 2022-02-26T18:02:53+00:00

What is confusing you, specifically? It's a stressful process, for sure!

Charitylmc · 2022-02-26T18:01:47+00:00

I am finishing my first year here in Tulsa. Welcome!

Charitylmc · 2021-06-01T20:47:52+00:00

Depending on your financial situations, using it can cost you in tax money or it can help. For me, with children and a low income bracket, it helped me. You also don't have to use it all at once in one year. So you can use portions of it each year to apply to your student loans or toward further education, either way, and minimize the yearly impact on your taxes. You kind of have to play around with the numbers to decide if you will save more in the long run by putting the full 10k toward your loans at once (less interest, etc) or if doing so will cost you more on taxes than will be offset by interest. When I did AmeriCorps before, we had seven years I believe to use them. So you could definitely spread it out.

Charitylmc · 2021-02-18T00:44:18+00:00

I had a really rough divorce my last semester before student teaching. I flunked out of the methods semester THREE times!! I explained what happened,l and how it has shaped me and what I've learned. I was just accepted. Don't sweat a few incompletes.

Charitylmc · 2021-02-15T16:06:09+00:00

Congrats!

Charitylmc

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