TNTP Teaching Fellows Reviews

Pros

TeachNOLA is a tightknit program with great hands on support and a targeted curriculum to prepare Fellows for communicating content as well as building strong relationships and learning partnerships with students. Fellows are taught transferable skills that can be used in any teaching capacity as well as specific instruction in the area in which they will be certified. They have direct access to some of the best teachers in the city and learn from them day in and day out, while receiving intentional feedback to further their personal development. Most importantly, Fellows are taught to be culturally responsive teachers because at teachNOLA we know no significant learning can be done without a relationship between the student and teachers.

Cons

This program is intentionally designed to be intense so that Fellows will be prepared for the everyday rigor of teaching students in the classroom. Fellows will have a full day of teaching summer school and being developed and still be expected to finish assignments in the evenings. This truly mirrors what will be expected of them as full time teachers.

Pros

The summer I spent with Roots LA under TNTP was hands down one of the best experiences of my life! It was certainly a tough 6 weeks in that I had to work very hard and learn a lot of material in a short period of time, but it was worth it in the end. The amount of knowledge and confidence I am taking away from this program is amazing, and I truly feel like the field experience I got reinforced my passion for teaching. We were matched with a mentor teacher during the program who was a master teacher in whatever subject we were teaching, and got to co-teach for four weeks in an actual summer school classroom. During our field experience, we got constant feedback from our mentor teachers on how to improve, how to lesson plan efficiently, and how to overall be the best teacher we can be. The last two weeks of the program included visits from charter schools, who watched us as we taught, and then invited the ones they saw potential in to interview for teaching positions at their schools after graduation. Overall, this summer was one of the best well spent for me, and I would not be where I am without it!

Cons

This is a program that requires a lot of commitment during it's 6-week duration, and a lot of time will be spent receiving constructive feedback and working to improve.

Pros

Good information may be provided during training.

Cons

No support past the training

Pros

TeachNOLA helped me to achieve my truest potential inside and outside of the classroom. I have been involved with the organization in multiple capacities since 2013 and have truly grown in my teaching and leadership skills. I received support as a new teacher, a teacher coach, facilitator, and school leader. Each staff member was truly committed to the mission of putting the best teachers in front of our kids in New Orleans. I would not be the teacher or administrator that I am without TeachNOLA.

Cons

Be ready to work hard. Teaching is a very difficult profession and this organization holds you to rigorous standards. This can be seen as a con for some, but it is necessary to ensure that our students get the most prepared and proficient teachers they can.

Pros

Committed, talented leaders and colleagues, who are willing to do whatever it takes for kids. Coaches who have a wealth of knowledge to draw from, and who are committed to Fellows learning and development. Access to a network across New Orleans.

Cons

Teaching is a huge commitment, and teachNOLA's summer institute reflects that. Expect to work really hard over the summer. However, I think this preparation was integral to the success I've had since!