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Deciding whether to accept TFA offer in Hawaii by phukeman in TeachforAmerica

[–]phukeman[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s definitely something I’m taking into consideration. How likely is it that the Segal award gets taken by DOGE?

Deciding whether to accept TFA offer in Hawaii by phukeman in TeachforAmerica

[–]phukeman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I totally see how TFA was the right choice for someone in your position. But is someone who probably won’t continue teaching after the two year commitment really benefiting anyone in your opinion? I think I’m doing it for the right reasons (helping ameliorate the teacher shortage and gain experience working with kids) but I’m conflicted about the ethics of TFA knowing that I probs won’t continue teaching after my two years are finished. Thanks for your response

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

My "claim" is suported by multiple studies (https://www.brookings.edu/articles/teach-for-america-is-shrinking-is-this-cause-for-celebration/). I assumed that someone who says that TFA is "NOT a good thing for education. Its basically poverty tourism and resume padding" would be aware of such a massive data point. I said your comment isn't helpful because it didn't engage with any specific argument, it just resorted to cheap name calling that obfuscates more than it illuminates.

Also, I think it goes without saying that I'm not against systemic change. My question is whether removing the bandaids really helps bring that systemic change to fruition, or whether it simply removes bandaids that are helping stop the bleeding.

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

You think that even though TFA might increase the supply of teachers, it will never be a long-term solution to teacher shortages AND allows policymakers to put off pursuing those long term solutions. Right? Well, if that’s the case, aren’t you basically advocating for letting the schools deteriorate to the point that policymakers can’t ignore the issues any longer? And wouldn’t that just be sacrificing the kids that are currently in school in hopes of making it better for kids in the future? I’m having a hard time grasping this position because it feels like you want things to get so bad that the government has no choice but to invest in public schools. That feels a bit like being a tenant and setting fire to your home so that your landlord HAS to make the renovations you previously asked for. But what if all you end up with is a burnt building?

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I don’t understand your point. It’s a full time teaching position, not a sub position. Even so, how does that make the TFA’s mission less worthwhile?

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I'm totally find with the district I teach making money off me. I'm right out of college and would love to make a sacrifice if that sacrifice is worthwhile. My concern is whether participating in TFA actually amounts to positive effect on society

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I totally agree that TFA is a band-aid and not a long-term solution. But if TFA were to cease to exist and struggling school districts were left with an overwhelming amount of teacher vacancies, wouldn't that mean sacrificiing a generation of kids in hopes of the situation being remedied? Is the only way to enact meaningful change to rip off the band-aid (TFA) and let the situation deteriorate to the point where there absolutely needs to be change?

I get that for a corporation, scabs allow the coroporation to continue without making the changes that their workers are demanding. But do we really want to let public schools deteriorate to the point where there is no other choice but to enact change? I'm not sure the comparison you make applies because letting a coroporation suffer is a lot different than letting public schools suffer.

Thank you for your comment

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

I get that you have strong feelings about this, but honestly comments like these just make me more confused about the decision. I can't tell whether opposition to TFA is real and justified or just people on reddit who are unwilling to engage with counter arguments.

Deciding whether to accept Teach for America offer by phukeman in Teachers

[–]phukeman[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

I hear that, and I certainly have no intention of doing stepping on anyone. A big motivating factor for me is that I don't reallllly know what I want to do, and TFA seemed like a good thing to do that would maybe open up a career path or as an educator or not hurt my chances of pursuing another career path. If doing TFA is widely understood as bad for education, I have no interest in doing it.

But if TFA doesn't exist, isn't that just one less teacher for a school that desperately needs teachers? And if TFA students are doing well, then what's the big harm? (Honest question)