TFA’s Diversity Dilemma
EduShyster’s D-list reformer gives TFA props for diversifying—but says the organization still treats corps members like they come from privilege
By *The 49er*
I have a confession to make: I was a Teach for America (TFA) teacher (or corps member as TFA calls its teachers, since just plain teacher is considerably less sexy). While that gives me major points among the reform crowd, it taints my image among many non-TFA educators. While there are many criticisms of TFA that I happen to agree with, I give TFA credit for working to improve as an organization. This week TFA announced that it has made significant strides in increasing the diversity of its corps. I salute them for addressing the lack of teachers who come from communities of color—but the fat lady hasn’t quite sung on this play yet.
I have a confession to make: I was a Teach for America (TFA) teacher (or corps member as TFA calls its teachers, since just plain teacher is considerably less sexy). While that gives me major points among the reform crowd, it taints my image among many non-TFA educators. While there are many criticisms of TFA that I happen to agree with, I give TFA credit for working to improve as an organization. This week TFA announced that it has made significant strides in increasing the diversity of its corps. I salute them for addressing the lack of teachers who come from communities of color—but the fat lady hasn’t quite sung on this play yet.Diversity counts
First a little background. Since most corps members teach students of color, TFA has made a big push in recent years to recruit more candidates from diverse backgrounds to join the corps. Dr. Andre Perry details the results of TFA’s efforts here, noting that TFA is beginning to reflect the population it serves. One third of the new corps members are the first in their families to attend college. This year’s corps is also older; one third of the new corps members identify as post-college professionals. But changing the makeup of the corps may have been the easy part. TFA also has to change to meet the needs and demands of its new recruits—and based on what my sources tell me—and on the number of corps members and Institute staff who quit this summer—TFA still has a long way to go.
First a little background. Since most corps members teach students of color, TFA has made a big push in recent years to recruit more candidates from diverse backgrounds to join the corps. Dr. Andre Perry details the results of TFA’s efforts here, noting that TFA is beginning to reflect the population it serves. One third of the new corps members are the first in their families to attend college. This year’s corps is also older; one third of the new corps members identify as post-college professionals. But changing the makeup of the corps may have been the easy part. TFA also has to change to meet the needs and demands of its new recruits—and based on what my sources tell me—and on the number of corps members and Institute staff who quit this summer—TFA still has a long way to go.
Back to school
I know that many readers of this blog lampoon the fact that a teacher can be ready to TFA’s Diversity Dilemma | EduShyster:
I know that many readers of this blog lampoon the fact that a teacher can be ready to TFA’s Diversity Dilemma | EduShyster: