<p>jensmom:</p>
<p>an article on ongoing PD at TFA:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.teachforamerica.org/assets/documents/091609_Education.Week_Growth.Plan.pdf[/url]”>http://www.teachforamerica.org/assets/documents/091609_Education.Week_Growth.Plan.pdf</a></p>
<p>I read the article also…very interesting. Seems to me that this program is best suited for college grads who may be torn between education and other fields. Teaching during the day, classes at night (to get state certified), district-wide professional development, TFA prof dev. Why do all this for a 2-year stint in field that one is not planning on making as a career? I’m a teacher and the best teachers tend to be the ones who love helping kids…and enjoy working with them. Are the TFA students chosen with this in mind? This can be a very tough job for anyone who doesn’t like kids.</p>
<p>Personally, I would think that a student who spends 1-2 years interning/volunteering in some sort of public health/community healthcare system would be a more attractive medical school candidate (with everything else being equal). Imagine putting that amount of time and commitment into some of the most underprivileged communities. </p>
<p>I’m so thankful for this thread. All feedback is welcome!</p>
<p>jennsmom, there is a current school-specific thread running on sdn at one of the private schools that had a recent (last couple of days) post that read (paraphrasing) “Everyone at my interview - except one girl- had worked full-time or done TFA after UG. Non-trads FTW (For The Win).” </p>
<p>TFA is evidence of going the extra mile, or maybe “into the mouth of hell” to serve the “greater good” or if you don’t like those, how about - wearing society’s hair-shirt in recognition of our nation’s persistent and systemic social injustice? An act of self-flagellation as “penance” for the opportunities , justly or un-justly, awarded them?</p>
<p>The fact that it doesn’t pay a great practical, measurable dividend to the applicant almost goes without saying and I don’t believe anyone would argue that it makes any sense in a cost-benefit analysis when weighed against less onerous duty. </p>
<p>But neither does jumping on a grenade. It has a price most of us won’t pay. That’s why it is honored. </p>
<p>Warning: The completely overblown hyperbole in this post may not have been useful but it was intentional. ;)</p>
<p>Point taken…certainly food for thought!</p>