Teach for America – “This job crushed me.”

Pros

It was definitely a learning experience. I was able to change the lives of some awesome children. I now know what I want to do with my life.

Cons

While it's a noble organization, and I honestly believe they have good intentions and are trying to do a good job, I think they fail in most ways. It's painful for me to say this, but I learned the hard way. Being an outstanding student and a leader in college does not make you a competent teacher. TFA cannot create teachers in a month and a half. They try, and they'll tell you they do, but the reality is that most of these teachers are not equipped to adequately deal with the challenges of the most needy students.

I do respect them because, at least, they try. But the reality is that most of these teachers have no clue as to what they're getting into. They are enthusiastic and completely naive. Most of them do not have much exposure to poverty and do not come from diverse backgrounds. For many, their expereince with poverty begins and ends with trips to Guatemala or insert other country. Most do not continue to work as teachers for the long-term.

There is a fundamental belief within TFA that kids who live in poverty just need to work harder to get the same opportunities as rich, white kids. There is an almost willful disregard of the systematic devaluation of human beings. The problem isn't that these kids aren't working hard. The problem is that the system is utterly broken.

Advice to Senior Management

Please recruit people of color and people who know about poverty. Please provide more support and mentoring before flinging teachers into classrooms. Require longer commitments and don't accept individuals who are using this as a stepping stone for a life in management consulting.