Dec 14 2011

Learning the ropes…or just the fine print

by ekv001

So I learned that as a secondary math teacher, I’m most likely going to be placed in a charter or choice school.  Interesting.  While I’m hoping this will be a more supportive environment for a new teacher, and I know of many outstanding charter schools, part of me feels dis-loyal to the majority of students that are taught at district public schools.  However, for some reason, working at a charter/choice is more comforting than the terrifying abyss that I imagine is Milwaukee Public Schools.  Of course, that’s also just my imagination.

I also learned that I will be attending Marquette University and obtaining my M.Ed. (it is so similar to what is required for certification, not taking the extra two classes seems like a waste).  However, this is an unexpected expense…to the tune of several thousand dollars per year.  I’ve applied for a STEM fellowship that will finance graduate school, but its super prestigious.  Oh well.  4 years of undergrad, no loans, and I’ll have to take them out now… :/  Could be worse.  What I’m more worried about is the time commitment of classes and TFA professional development on top of trying to be a good first-year teacher.  I wasn’t planning on having a social life, but I do really like 7 hours of sleep…

On the bright side, finals week is almost over!  Home for two weeks, traveling to Nicaragua for two weeks (YAY!) then one semester until TFA time.  Whew!

Merry almost Christmas!

 

Categories: Teach For America · 3 Comments

3 Responses

1. Parus

   That’s awesome. TFA is going to send you to a non-district school and require you to attend a private, religious college. Not exactly demonstrating a wholehearted commitment to Milwaukee’s public education system there, are they?

   on December 14, 2011 at 5:30 pm · Reply
2. SpEding through Dallas

   My advice: brace yourself.

   on December 14, 2011 at 10:53 pm · Reply
3. Meg

   Please don’t feel as if being placed in a charter is disloyal or inauthentic. My school is the top-ranked charter in my city, and one of the top in Tennessee. I teach sixth grade, and the average reading level my kids come in on is a 3.2. Many can’t multiply, some can’t add, and the childhood poverty rate in our neighborhood is 44% – higher than 92% of neighborhoods in the country. The country. Yes we have a strong culture, yes my administration is extremely supportive (which makes my job SO much easier), and yes our babies have been making significant gains. The point is, though, that all of this is possible because of the school and the teachers there, not because my kids are somehow different from kids at any other school here. My charter school babies need excellent, dedicated teachers who are willing to teach an 11-hour school day, to tutor, to call home, to double as a nurse, or counselor, or friend, or mom. My kids need teachers like you, just as much as any other kid in the city.

   on December 16, 2011 at 3:21 am · Reply