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I currently work in accounting for a private company but
I've always wanted to do something with more of a human
touch. My ex-boyfriend would say my granola-crunching,
hippie liberal side is coming out. I just put in an
application for Teachnola with the hopes of teaching math.
I've been to New Orleans since Katrina and I don't live too
far away. I'm also comfortable navigating poor
neighborhoods. Once I owned a house where I was the only
white person on the street. I've also been around young
people since I raised a teenager, so I know what they can
be like. So I'm not exactly Ivy League Teach for America,
but I think I'd do more good than harm.
My problem is this: I read the stories about the teacher
lay-offs last year and the idea that I could crowd out
someone who has a traditionally acquired certfication
because of the positive focus on the non-traditional groups
makes me a little uncomfortable. It wouldn't be an issue if
a real shortage of teachers existed, but I'm not sure New
Orleans has a shortage anymore.
Personally, I think a decent state school education major
who would be around for years would probably be preferable
to a TFA superstar who will spend a year learning how to
teach only to leave after a couple of years. I count
moving into administration as leaving, incidentally.
Doing TeachNola would mean taking a pay cut and giving up a
decent job, but I'd do it happily if it meant I would be
filling a void and I could change someone's life. But it
wouldn't be worth it if I were just taking a spot from
someone else who is already in New Orleans, willing and
able to do the job.
Any insights from local teachers would be greatly
appreciated.  

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