Teach for America...can anyone tell me what it's like teaching through this program?

Question

I am going to apply to the program Teach For America. Can anyone tell me what it was like teaching in an urban area through this program? I have only ESL teaching experience in South Korea where the kids were very well behaved and my classroom sizes were small. Also, can you explain to me what a typical day is like teaching English in an urban high school?

Answer 1

Teach For America teachers are just as trained as Alternative Certification Program teachers. TFA teachers are usually recent college grads recruited from college, whereas, ACP teachers are usually professionals switching to the teaching professions. Both take the same education classes, and have to pass the same certification tests. TFA teachers actually assist a regular teacher in the classroom while they are taking their classes. Many ACP candidates are still working their regular jobs while taking the education classes. The only difference between TFA and ACP is that ACP teachers bring in more life experience than TFA, while the TFA usually bring in more enthusiasm than the ACP.

As far as any difference with teaching as a TFA versus a regular teacher, there is none. TFA teachers ARE teachers. You are assigned a mentor if you have any questions or problems that you need to discuss. But for the most part, it is YOUR classroom. There isn't another teacher there in class with you while you teach.

As for teaching in the US urban schools, the only preparation for that is to experience it. There are cultural differences among US social-economic populations if you have not experienced it. Since everyone is different, what works for one teacher does not necessarily work for another. You have to learn how students respond to your personality. So the US students are probably different from the South Korean students. Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm not in the teach for america program, but while taking my credential classes I knew several people that were. It all depends where you are teaching and what level. I work in an urban school district, but I'm comfertable there because I went to similar schools.

I suggest you read "The Reluctant Disiplinarian" I think thats the title, by Gary Rubinstein its about a teacher who went through the Teach for America program.