Ugh, I hate writing these types of essays. I really hope I can get into this program

 

Does anyone have any experience with Teach For America?

They courted me insanely, but I personally wasn't up for the position. I do have two very good friends that are currently TFA, and they absolutely love it. It's definitely an outstanding program.

I think working for Teach for America would be an absolutely phenomenal experience. I'm definitely going to look into doing it. It's something I've been thinking about for a long time now 'cause I know a couple of people that have done it and loved it... Good luck, Bmags! I hope it works out for you.

So...what is it?

It's an excellent program that takes college graduates and trains them, puts them into high need schools for two years. The success that teach for america teachers have in these classrooms is pretty amazing. It's really interesting and also a lot of great grad schools have huge grants for doing teach for america.

It depends on where you get placed... some of the schools are pretty brutal to work for (not good to the kids). I have had a lot of friends enter the program, and hate it. They told me a lot of what they did was test prep, and not really teaching.

 

They also said that their contacts/recruiters treated them poorly after they were on the job.

 

this is all fwiw.

I have a unique perspective, my University is in an area where TFA places teachers. I know the Districts and schools where they are working, and have met some of the teachers. You will be working in districts were "normal" families are few and far between. It likely would be the most difficult experience of a teaching career. On the plus side, many of the teachers are able to get certification at the end of two years. So if you decided late in your undergrad vcareer to give teaching a chance, it is another path to certification.

 

There are regional training sites for an intensive student teach experience and off you go.