The Crash and Burn Model
As a new teacher adviser, I have been fortunate to come across some of the most productive and committed teachers in my 15 year career, many from the Teach for America program (TFA). In their stints at our school, all varying in length from 1-5 years so far, I have been impressed with their drive and motivation to improving students’ learning.
But at times, they have worried me. They would show up at new teacher support meetings with bags under their eyes, from their 12 hour workdays, staying up late to lesson plan when they got home, and coming back to work early to do it all over again. Had they been on a traditional career track, I would have advised them against such a strenuous schedule; they do the students or themselves no favors if they burn themselves out. But these teachers were not necessarily going to be career teachers. There was a good chance they would leave after two years. Knowing this, I tried to monitor their mental and physical health like a mother hen, and let them proceed with their plans (with careful oversight.)
I appreciated the difference between a TFA teacher and a regular long-term substitute, the latter which my students used to get regularly before TFA’ers became available. Teacher turnover in urban schools is still an issue. Like the Peace Corp, these teachers are sent to schools like mine to serve the community, and in many cases, they are making a difference. But in the era of education reform, many are pointing to an endless
But at times, they have worried me. They would show up at new teacher support meetings with bags under their eyes, from their 12 hour workdays, staying up late to lesson plan when they got home, and coming back to work early to do it all over again. Had they been on a traditional career track, I would have advised them against such a strenuous schedule; they do the students or themselves no favors if they burn themselves out. But these teachers were not necessarily going to be career teachers. There was a good chance they would leave after two years. Knowing this, I tried to monitor their mental and physical health like a mother hen, and let them proceed with their plans (with careful oversight.)
I appreciated the difference between a TFA teacher and a regular long-term substitute, the latter which my students used to get regularly before TFA’ers became available. Teacher turnover in urban schools is still an issue. Like the Peace Corp, these teachers are sent to schools like mine to serve the community, and in many cases, they are making a difference. But in the era of education reform, many are pointing to an endless
