Teachers Wanted, No Classroom Experience Necessary
Would you quit your day job and train with Teach for America? Credit: Rubberball Productions
Sometimes the lessons you don't expect to learn in a classroom have the greatest impact on your life. For Paula Lopez Crespin, that lesson came when she observed her daughter, a teacher in training with Teach for America, leading a class and Crespin decided she wanted to do the same.
"That was the 'wow' moment for me," Crespin told The New York Times. "I was sitting in the back and wanted to wave to her, but she was in a zone, in command. She was the best teacher I had ever seen." Teach for America is a national two-year teacher training program, likened to the Peace Corps, where participants receive real-world training, specifically in urban and rural public schools.
Today, Crespin is among only two percent of Teach for America recruits older than 30, but she's among more than half of all teachers who are career changers, according to the Times. Crespin's life experience and level of commitment make her a prime candidate for success within the program and Teach for America hopes that older recruits like her will help bolster their retention numbers. Currently, 40 percent of recruits do not continue in the profession after their two-year training is complete.
Crespin completed her first year of teaching math and science at Cole Arts and Science Academy in what the Times calls a "gang-riddled" section of Denver. She took a $32,000 pay cut and dipped into hers and her husband's 401(k)'s to accommodate her dream. Crespin works more than 60 hours a week and is working toward a master's degree in pedagogy of urban education. The sacrifices are not for everyone, Crespin admits, but she is happy to be doing something meaningful with her life.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
OOC 7-28-2009 @ 3:53AM
I want to commend Ms. Crespin and her family. In a time when the financial markets are in spasm, causing the whole economy to shiver, Ms. Crespin has stepped out of her comfort zones, both professionally and personally. That her daughter and husband have inspired and enabled (in all the best ways) her to make this change is wonderful. As a nation, we pay lip service to the idea, the value, that children are our future, etc. except we pay teachers very little and demand a lot from them. I try hard not to make value judgements about what people contribute to society. People do what they can. In fact, it is critical to the health and well being of our society that we all have different values. One example of this is that in the wake of every catastrophe from 9/11 to Katrina there are people who set out to rescue and provide for pets that are displaced as a consequence. My dollars are for people, but because other people prioritize differently both humans and pets are supported. Because of that, it is difficult for me to say that Ms. Crespin is making a more valuable contribution as a teacher than she did as a banker. At the same time, it is impossible to ignore that banking and bankers bear a disproportionate responsibility for the mess we are in while teachers remain heroes. So again, thank you and congratulations to the Crespins. The only aspect of the article which I take issue with is the number of potential teachers who are being turned down by teach America. Surely there are more than 2 to 3% who are qualified to teach.
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Mary Sullivan 7-28-2009 @ 9:12AM
We've known 2 intensely qualified young adults who applied for Teach for America and got turned down. If you met these folks and saw the kind of experience they'd accummulated by age 21, you'd be shocked they were turned down. I agree that there should be many more spots made available in this program (probably a funding issue). I'm not sure there really is a surplus (to get to the earlier poster's complaint) of qualified teachers, TAs, or teachers-in-training in the areas targeted by Teach for America, such as low-income city or rural areas.
Mary
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sdshell140 7-28-2009 @ 1:12AM
I hate these articles. I am a teacher who has been trying to get a job for six years now. They do not hire older women (I'm 40 now) until all the young girls are snapped up and currently even the young ones aren't getting hired. We have too many teachers in this country (i.e. 1000's laid off in CA), why encourage more?
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Jamie 7-28-2009 @ 7:33AM
sdshell140,
It is never fun when searching for a job and having difficulties, but why not encourage people who would love to teach to do so. There are some teaching positions out there that are still in high demand. As a parent of a child entering kindergarden, I would love to know that the school had choices picking out my son's teacher and that they didn't have to accept what was available at the time due to a shortage of teachers. If you have not done so already, try joining your local NEA. They might be able to help get you working again. I have also been told that volunteer work can make you more appealing as well. I am currently going to school to get a Masters in Education to teach HS Math. I am a member of the NEA, NTCM, and I volunteered to help pass a local school bond issue. I will start my new career at age 37. I will not be a young one, but I don't see that being an issue. Good luck! I hope you find what you are looking for.
Daisy 7-28-2009 @ 10:16AM
You're so right, my neighbour is 42 and has been a teacher for 18 years. He's unemployed for almost a year now and simply can't find a teaching job. Why train that many new teachers if we have so many unemployed teachers looking for a job.
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Carol 7-28-2009 @ 1:53AM
I hope this lady check on the impact this could have on her retirement income. She could lose much of her Social Security benefits if she is teaching in a state that has its own teachers' retirement system.
If you are a public employee in an area that has its own retirement system, the Social Security Offset kicks in, and your Social Security benefit is drastically reduced.
Hopefully, Congress will do something about this, but..... until it happens, beware when changing careers!
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oliviaa 7-28-2009 @ 2:03AM
everyone needs to stop hating on her! instead of moaning about your life do something about it! this lady is doing what she wants and she's HAPPY ! so who are all of you guys to critize her??
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joe 7-28-2009 @ 9:44AM
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jerry 8-01-2009 @ 2:51AM
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Noel 8-02-2009 @ 2:15PM
I can understand your frustration. I graduated in 1993 and did not get a permanent position until 10 years later. I had to relocate my children out of state to a place 1,000's of miles from their family to get one. Over 2,000 people showed up for our job fair this year and only 200 were hired from that pool. This country has been crying of a teacher shortage for over 20 years and there is no such thing. Younger recruits have told me "They told us going in we would probably have to relocate." Many people who relocate often go back home at some point, missing their families. Leaving a position open at beginner salary again.
Many districts hire students from out of state and have started alternative certification programs. Think about it, economically, you pay a person less who's less qualified, and if they don't make it, it reopens that position at a lower salary again. The longer we stay and the higher educated, the more it costs them. I applaud Paula for following her dreams, we all should. But at the same time, isn't it ironic that all those who were riding the wave of big bucks for the past 7 years are now in line trying to get a teaching job. Our job is not easy, and there are thousands upon thousands of certified unemployed teachers out there. Nobody is willing to count because if they knew, they couldn't keep up the story that there is a shortage. Most of the people I've seen turn over have been from out of field. I guess, if you can get someone to do it for free, why not, saves the government from paying those who actually trained for the career as a calling. Hope speaking up doesn't hurt me. :)
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