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My big just finished Teach For America in May and it was the hardest thing she has ever done. And she is extremely smart, tons of leadership, Florence Hood Miner recepient, homecoming queen runer up...the resume from heaven.
She was placed in Baton Rouge. There were tears shed...but there were silly moments too. I don't think she would do it over again. I know she now has zero desire to ever teach.
Another point of view...I just finished my first year teaching at a Title I school (low-income, low-performing) teaching K-5 music. I student taught in the district where all the astronauts kids go...so it was like night and day.
It was the HARDEST thing in the world. I liked it though. The kids come from situations that you and I could never imagine. And the only thing you can control for them is the time that they spend with you. You can't help that mom and dad got taken to jail last night or that they didn't eat dinner or that they are late to school 'cause mom didn't get back from her boyfriend's house in time to wake the kids up...
I don't like the teachers I work with, because they seem to have given up and are bitter. However, I am sort of glad I ended up here because it is a challenge and I am young and energetic and the kids look up to me and care about how I view them, which has caused some kids to shape up.
I know I will not be here in a few years 'cause I will move when my husband is done with grad school, so it is almost like a TFA situation in that I know it is temporary.
The moral of this story: It depends on what kind of person you are, and the reasons you have for seeking the opportunity. If you are just looking to put off grad school, don't do it. If you feel a calling, get ready for the hardest 2 years of your life and enjoy the ride.
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