There's a difference between TFA teachers and the staff that runs the nonprofit.

I've heard hellish things about TFA and TFAll as well in terms of morale but that was 5-10 years ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that Teach for America tells its teachers flat out that they will be paid so little that they will qualify for food stamps and that they should absolutely apply for them.

I don't know what kind of position you're looking for, but I would be uncomfortable with a nice salary at a non-profit where they paid the teachers so little they were incapable of being self-supporting.

TFA doesn't pay the teachers. The teachers are employees of whatever school district they're working in and they earn the same as other entry-level teachers. You can't blame TFA for that.

+1 TFA teachers are paid by their school districts. I did TFA around 2005 and earned a starting teacher’s salary (low 30s in the South). I was never told to apply for food stamps and probably wouldn’t have qualified for them anyway.

In my opinion, TFA exists to exist. It makes glossy ads to recruit bright students, “trains” new teachers, then leaves teachers in the weeds when the school year actually comes. It’s an organization filled with alums who couldn’t handle teaching and instead become “alumni coordinators” or “credential leads.” I know a lot of people who taught their two years, then immediately became school principals, which is insane. Educational change will not come about as a result of TFA’s method. We need a major institutional overhaul.

It’s also wirth asking if this is what is best for the students. Sure, the TFA teachers have wonderful experiences, but students are being taught by recent college grads with no experience. Shouldn’t we be sending our best, most accomplished teachers to support those kids?

Anonymous wrote:I made $28,000.00 for a 178 day contract my first year teaching in the 1990s. I was able to defer my student loan payments, and get my student loans deducted each year I taught.

I was not poverty level living in the midwest, and still living at home with my parents. I managed to save $11,000.00 that first year alone, even after I was putting money into the 403B plan. And I had a boyfriend who treated me to most entertainment.

Maybe to some the pay is low. It depends on your living circumstances.

I corrected that to 403B plan.

I made $28,000.00 for a 178 day contract my first year teaching in the 1990s. I was able to defer my student loan payments, and get my student loans deducted each year I taught.

I was not poverty level living in the midwest, and still living at home with my parents. I managed to save $11,000.00 that first year alone, even after I was putting money into the 401B plan. And I had a boyfriend who treated me to most entertainment.

Maybe to some the pay is low. It depends on your living circumstances.

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that Teach for America tells its teachers flat out that they will be paid so little that they will qualify for food stamps and that they should absolutely apply for them.

I don't know what kind of position you're looking for, but I would be uncomfortable with a nice salary at a non-profit where they paid the teachers so little they were incapable of being self-supporting.

TFA doesn't pay the teachers. The teachers are employees of whatever school district they're working in and they earn the same as other entry-level teachers. You can't blame TFA for that.

A few of my friends did it right out of college. It was a wonderful experience for them- mostly a volunteer gig where you are helping severely in need school systems and living in a very undesirable to unsafe location. But you make a lot of good friends of similar age.
After a couple years, you leave to pursue a real career. It looks good on a resume.

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that Teach for America tells its teachers flat out that they will be paid so little that they will qualify for food stamps and that they should absolutely apply for them.

I don't know what kind of position you're looking for, but I would be uncomfortable with a nice salary at a non-profit where they paid the teachers so little they were incapable of being self-supporting.

It's a corps and a 2 year stint. TFA Corps are as much of a career as being in the peace corps. It is an experience and a public service.

Not only are you paid very little, you go into some of the worst schools in the nation. All TFA Corps members know this. The selection process despite this is rigorous and there are lots and lots of applicants that don't make the cut.

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that Teach for America tells its teachers flat out that they will be paid so little that they will qualify for food stamps and that they should absolutely apply for them.

I don't know what kind of position you're looking for, but I would be uncomfortable with a nice salary at a non-profit where they paid the teachers so little they were incapable of being self-supporting.

Are the teachers recent college graduates though? With no teaching experience?

I did student teaching for six months 40 hours a week at zero pay, and I was actually paying the university when I went through my teacher preparation program.

I can tell you that Teach for America tells its teachers flat out that they will be paid so little that they will qualify for food stamps and that they should absolutely apply for them.

I don't know what kind of position you're looking for, but I would be uncomfortable with a nice salary at a non-profit where they paid the teachers so little they were incapable of being self-supporting.

What say you DCUM? I'm interested in a position with this nonprofit.