<p>@ jazzcatastrophe That’s really interesting that the tension influenced your regional preferences. What areas do you see as having the most tension between corps members and “traditional” teachers? I laughed out loud when you mentioned Freedom Writers. I think at least half of the students in my education classes are there because of that movie!!!</p>
<p>@Teachtoreach I agree that TFA teachers pretty much perform on the same level as 1st year traditional teachers. I think we all have to realize that our 1st year is going to suck. I’ve talked to many educators from alternative tracks and traditional tracks and they all agree that the 1st year is the hardest. Effective teaching comes from experience. Someone can have 10 years of theory in their head but it means nothing if they haven’t actually been in the classroom. For me, I guess the problem is that TFA does not extend its teaching requirement past two years. Corps members generally reach their stride in their second year, and it’s a shame that some leave right when they are becoming effective.
I think there is a lot of controversy over the fact that TFA arranges certain school districts to open a certain number of slots for their corps members. It’s essentially a quota system since those spots are not open to outside educators, so I can see why some people are frustrated. Especially in hard hit areas like Philadelphia and Chicago, I’ve seen people argue that although corps members get laid off too, they are in better shape to get employed than non-TFA educators. </p>
<p>@emac I agree with you as well. I don’t think TFA hides the fact that it wants its corps members to advocate for reform in various sectors of society whether it be law, politics, or business. I would say that’s something that distinguishes it from other teacher residency programs who mainly want to create long-term teachers. It’s a very interesting strategy since many of the leaders of the education reform movement are TFA alumni. But one could also argue TFA has operated for a little over 20 years now, and things are still quite the same. It’s a very compelling debate going on about TFA. For me, I see TFA as a way to make me become the best educator I can possibly be. I might move into education administration some day, but I’m just focused on being the best teacher I can be right now.</p>
<p>Actually this same question was asked in my interview and the interviewer had a really great answer to the question. She said that the attitude of veteran teachers has a lot to do with how you present yourself as a first year teacher. If you go in with the attitude that you’re better than all the teachers who have been there, you’re bound to make more enemies than friends. If you go in humbly recognizing that your first year is going to be a challenge and you need all available resources, including veteran teachers then they are more likely to respond to you in a positive way. I also looked at what areas had tension and did not preference those areas,Chicago being an example. My parents live there and I love the city but reading the paper and having had an experience in Peace Corps where the community was actively hostile towards me,I knew I wanted no part of that.</p>
<p>Hello all, just came across this link. I interviewed on October 15. I saw all of the posts about application status switching from under review to complete… all of my sub-parts say complete… however, the top still says I am invited to final interview. Any one else having this problem>? I interviewed with no problem, so am confused.</p>
<p>Should I contact someone who works there? Does anyone have a contact info?? I am worried…</p>
<p>@tinitafish That was actually the same response my interviewer gave me, and I really took it to heart. I feel like as long as you are respectful and willing to learn, another teacher will respond similarly back to you and help you out. At least, that is what I hope the case is. </p>
<p>However, I requested a special circumstance for Chicago (much more out of having to move there than wanting to), and I am aware that there is a good amount of tension between teachers and TFAers, which I am insanely nervous about. </p>
<p>My interviewer also said that because certain areas are decentralized (like Chicago), and that, unless you actually TOLD other teachers that you were hired through TFA, than they would never know and you would never be obligated to tell them. So that’s something to think about for those who are accepted and are in a more urban setting where there are teaching cuts.</p>
<p>@christine5521 Mine still says that I am invited to an interview as well. I am assuming there is nothing to worry about and it just stays that way until we are either accepted or declined.</p>
<p>@Christine5521, You are looking at the general status page which should say complete across the board. It will also still say, Congratulations! You have been invited to a final interview etc. When people are talking about changes they mean within the subsections. So the Transistional Funding will say complete on the main status page but then if you click on the link, view transitional funding status, you can see if it is Under Review, Complete, Incomplete. Hope that helps!</p>
<p>@christine5521: I think everyone’s still says they’re invited to the interview at the top. What we were talking about before, is the status at the top of the page, once you click to view your transitional funding status.</p>
<p>And kind of along the lines of what @victoriapat said, there’s always a chance that they won’t even know you’re a TFA corps member. One of my interviewers said that she just never really mentioned it, assuming that people knew, but at the end of the year when she said something about getting paperwork signed people were like “Wait, you’re in the corps?” So it’s not like you walk into a school with a TFA sign on your head. Hopefully people will get to know YOU first, and not what you’re a part of. That reminds me exactly of my undergrad, because I would never wear a sorority shirt to class on the first day to make sure that the professors met me first & didn’t judge me based on what I was a part of.</p>
<p>@victoriapat, I’m not saying Chicago will definitely be horrible, I think you make the best or worst out of any placement. And you are absolutely right, how you approach the other teachers in the district will make a huge difference in your experience. First years of any new job are hard. You can go into it with the attitude that you know better than everyone around you and they need to come around to your side of things, or you can go into it with the attitude that just as you have valid ideas that may come from a set of fresh eyes, those who have been there have valid ideas that come from experience. I have approached jobs both ways and have learned that the first year is easier on everyone when you go about it the second way.</p>
<p>Should I be concerned? I am aware of the tension, and at first didn’t preference Chicago for that reason. But I ended up changing it and Philly is my 1st, Chicago my 2nd. So if I get placed, there’s a good chance it would be in one of the two high tension cities. Is this something to worry about?</p>
<p>@emac, I think you have no reason to be concerned. All CMs should be tactful about their relationships with traditionally-certified teachers, but the goal to keep in sight is ending the achievement gap, and that won’t happen if everyone avoids areas where there have been demonstrations against the presence of TFA. My understanding is that very few people have personal issues against CMs (many people who criticize TFA admit that CMs are among the most motivated and idealistic people out there), but instead against the structure of TFA. Don’t let the politics get in the way of your job, and you’ll be fine. Besides, none of us have even been placed yet, let alone accepted/rejected!</p>
<p>Is anyone else having trouble focusing? I have a few papers due this week, and it’s been a real struggle to keep my attention on schoolwork.</p>
<p>I echo what everyone else has said! It’s important not to think of ourselves as heroes riding into low-income schools on our white horses to save the day. I think we’ll be fine as long as we approach this with the right attitude, and show our fellow educators that we respect them and want to collaborate with and learn from them.</p>
<p>@Disneyguy I’m having trouble focusing too! I have plenty of work to get done at my job but I keep coming back to this thread, researching stuff about TFA, etc.</p>
<p>@teachthat2014 there were some accepted applicants on last year’s thread whos status changed to complete on notification date, and I’m pretty sure someone in this thread contacted a TF rep who said they would be verifying documents up until Tuesday. So, don’t fret!</p>
<p>I am also finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than TFA and the decision that is awaiting us all on Thursday. This morning, I even had a dream where I was checking my status and every time I checked it changed from a “Congratulations!” to a “We regret to inform you…” - talk about nerves!! I want the next 3 days to fly by!</p>
<p>Me too… Still no changes. I interviewed on 10-16 and submitted my documents between 10-17 to 10-18. I’m finding it very hard to concentrate on anything else, ha.</p>
<p>Hey all, sorry I’ve been absent. It’s 3 DAYS until decision time and my nerves are high. Glad to have you all as a support system! To those whose TF status has not changed: don’t lose hope! Last year people had their TF status changed on notification day. </p>
<p>I preffed Greater Boston as my number one choice. Did anyone else do the same? I’m wondering how difficult it will be to get placed there. Love to you all!</p>
<p>@Rolemodel32 the regions I avoided for that reason were Chicago, Seattle, Philly, and DC, but like disneyguy and explorer17 said, I feel like as long as corps members are respectful and don’t go in with a attitude that they’re better than veteran teachers, they won’t have a problem</p>
<p>I’m right there with all of you guys on the not being able to focus on anything else, I have a feeling this week isn’t going to be very productive :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Yeah this is pretty much consuming a solid 80% of my head space. My boyfriend is so sick of me refreshing pages and stalking TFA haha. It’s slightly obsessive. I’m not even picking up a shift or going out on Thursday cause I just want to stalk my computer and be prepared for the news. I’m trying to find hope in the fact that although my status is under review, my documents are verified. 3 DAYS!!</p>
<p>It seems like last year in the last deadlines, everyones status remained Under Review until the midnight before notifications. So I’m surprised some people’s still are Complete! </p>
<p>Luckily, I’m fairly busy this week and can only stalk this page during classes. 3 more days :)</p>