I never really agree with the idea of not wanting to discuss a topic just because it's on the internet and therefore not the "right" place to hash things out. In my opinion, talking about it-- even through such a limited means as this-- is better than not talking about it at all. Especially when it's a topic where people can benefit from hearing multiple sides of the story and see perspectives they were previously unaware of. I think people avoid talking about stuff like this online because it so frequently devolves into cyberfights exacerbated by the whole I'm-anonymous-so-I-can-say-whatever-I-want thing. But as long as people work to keep the discussion exactly that-- a level, reasonable discussion-- then why not?
OP, I considered TFA very seriously and for a very long time, meeting with recruiters and whatnot, before ultimately deciding not to do it. I think the ideology of the program is outstanding and that what it aims to do is worthwhile, meaningful, and important. I think it draws a lot of pre-meds because the idea of helping people is obviously one that appeals to us. And the whole partnerships-with-med-schools thing, loan deferrals, the prestige of the program-- all enticing.
At the same time, there have been legitimate concerns raised about it that I think are pretty fair. In a nutshell, the problem is that idealistic twenty-somethings who have just graduated from college are eager to do some good in this world and to make a difference. They (we) go into Teach for America hoping to also gain some insight in the Real World-- I mean, how could we not! we might be teaching underprivileged children, but really they're the ones teaching us!-- and have these experiences shape us into more compassionate and understanding people. And there's nothing wrong with that. The best types of people/future doctors should seek out those experiences that will make us more compassionate and understanding people. And the people who do the program are people who really, really do care about others and deep down inside they know that it will be a struggle and it will be hard and it will be an immense challenge, but that doesn't matter. In the end it'll be worth it-- because what could be worth more than giving a child an education? (Very few things, let me tell you.)
The issue that's been raised is that you take these Well-Intentioned People and give them an intensive but brief training and then let them teach students. Pre-meds that we are, we think that we'd be well-equipped to handle it; that we're capable individuals; that we believe in ourselves and know we can do it. But one point the article raised that I thought was worth repeating was this: "do not allow TFA to let you learn how to teach on the backs of our neediest children, children living in poverty, children with disabilities, children who are still learning English, children living under oppression, racism, and savage inequalities."
I think the hardest thing for me to realize was that despite all my good intentions, my beliefs that I could and would show these kids how much someone cared about them, the lengths that I was willing to go to invest in their futures-- at the end of the day I knew that I'm still pre-med. I'm not going to go into education; if I was, it'd be a different story. The idea of having a two-year stint in teaching felt fraudulent to me, in a way, because of that. How much can you improve as a teacher in two years? A lot, maybe, but ultimately it doesn't matter for the kids you're teaching because at the end of that time, a new teacher starts afresh. Instead of benefiting from their teachers' continued practice teaching, students often suffer because the cycle repeats over and over again. Yeah, you can justify it by saying that two years is still enough time to make a difference, that that's even more incentive to make that brief time count, but at the end of the day I didn't want to play teacher if I wasn't in it for the long run (even five years would be better than two). I'd get a lot out of the experience, I'm sure, but it felt.. bad, I suppose, to have it be about my gains.
Last point: in very rural areas where students may not have access to educators and where even a recent college grad can provide a solid foundation of learning, Teach for America is commendable. In these areas, yes, the argument that bright and motivated individuals can influence the lives of these children for the better is probably very true. But how many recent college grads want to be in those far-removed locations? The article cited above is way over-dramatic but there's still truth in what it says.
I went to a university that sends a lot of students to TFA every year, and I know around 15 who are doing it now. All of them are fantastic people. But not all of them would do TFA again, if you asked them. If you're interested in the program and you're determined to see that through, then go for it-- but consider all perspectives going in, not just the beautiful stories painted by recruiters or by the website. (I made that mistake in the beginning.) I respect rfenzo for doing TFA, but just keep in mind that his/her experience doesn't speak for all Corps members. In the end, it's two years of your life, and you want to make sure you're well-educated about how they're going to be spent before you make a commitment.
