Scenes from the TFA Revival
There is a lot of confusion about what Teach for America is and is not. Is it a tiny nonprofit that will never have enough teachers to make a difference? Is it an elite conspiracy to take down the unions? Walking into Teach for America’s 20th anniversary summit in DC this weekend, the answer was obvious. This is basically a cult. Nothing less.
There were nearly 11,000 people in one huge hall, with five big TV screens hanging from the ceiling and pulsating lights strobing the audience. The crowd—mostly teachers or former teachers and a smattering of celebrities, from Malcolm Gladwell to Gloria Steinem to John Legend—made up a giant chorus of believers. The Ballou High School Marching Band carved its way through the hall, and a line-up of the country’s most battle-scarred reformers, from Geoffrey Canada to Joel Klein, called for nothing short of a revolution. It felt like a religious revival.
In the break-out sessions and in the one-on-one conversations in the hallways afterward, the anxiety crept in. The two most pressing questions I heard again and again were about the future: Are we finally turning the corner to fix America’s schools—or is this yet another education reform bubble? And secondly, Do reformers need to be nicer? Or more ruthless than ever? (In other words, is collaboration with the teachers’ unions a synonym for the status quo—or the only way to achieve real change?)
But the event answered one question with certainty: Teach for America is not really about its 8,000 active corps members or its 20,000 alumni; it’s about the Kool-Aid, the elixir that has found its way, after 20 years, into the bloodstream of the educational establishment. At latest count: 357 principals, 30 superintendents, 6 charter-school founders and dozens of elected officials, all of them convinced that every kid can learn, no excuses. Period.
John Legend Performs from TFA 20th Anniversary Summit on Vimeo.
Wess said on February 16, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Amanda.
I’m in the middle of writing about how I’m having such a hard time writing about the summit. I think your perspective does a fantastic job.
I think you should know that of all the amazing things I heard said by amazing people this weekend, yours are the words that are still bouncing around in my head. I’ve been mulling over echoes of vitreal, knee-jerk reactions, LIFO being ass-backwards, and “...call that reporter!” even as I’ve been teaching.
I love what you’ve written here and in the rest of your blog—thanks for being such a voice of clarity and “calling ‘em like you see ‘em.”
Stephen Kahn said on February 17, 2011 at 8:52 am
Nothing new under the sun. In the 1960s I participated in a program called THE TEACHER CORPS. Young college graduates and Vietnam War draft dodgers did similar service.
برامج said on February 17, 2011 at 5:36 pm
In the 1960s I participated in a program called THE TEACHER CORPS
Stephen Kahn said on February 19, 2011 at 1:10 am
This is an impertinent comment, and feel free to delete it, but it is meant in a friendly and kindly way.
Are you thinking of having kids, Amanda? I bet they would be smart and fine children, though one never knows for sure.
nikeshox said on February 23, 2011 at 2:20 am
Thomas Sabo is one such pretty charm for the fun loving individuals.
Forex said on March 24, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Amanda.
I’m in the middle of writing about how I’m having such a hard time writing about the summit. I think your perspective does a fantastic job.
I think you should know that of all the amazing things I heard said by amazing people this weekend, yours are the words that are still bouncing around in my head. I’ve been mulling over echoes of vitreal, knee-jerk reactions, LIFO being ass-backwards,
Bing said on March 25, 2011 at 1:53 am
We got a beneficial book on that matter from our local library and most books were not as descriptive as your information