If you would like to decide whether TFA values education or leadership, first simply google “Teach For America” and see what they say on the first page of their website along with their mission statement. As a current teacher in the program, I’m well aware of what TFA offers and delivers. Even though over 60% of corps members stay in education, the goal of the program is to get some of the most promising youth in the country front-line experience in the education system so that they carry the burden of education reform along with them wherever they go. And even if these first and second year teachers aren’t the best out there (ask any teacher what their experience during their first two years was like), they can still have a massive impact on their students during their time in the program. I was just at a memorial service for a corps member who passed before his time at age 25, and after three years of teaching, there were around 1,000 people in attendance to honor him. TFA is a colonialist organization? Colonialists go out and force their beliefs on people in far-away countries. The students TFA serves are already here. If you think that the skills they have are sufficient and should be applauded, show me where in the college and job applications they ask for skills concerning “street survival” and “understanding animals.” Jean is right, a balance should be met between strength-based learning and “white oppressor” skills, but to completely ignore the fact that zip code has more of an impact on a child’s chances of going to college than anything else is absurd.

Technology and flexibility? Why should students be encouraged to learn about technology, Ira? Is it because having skills with technology is necessary for surviving in today’s world? It is, but so is the ability to read and do simple math. You’ve simply chosen a different skill set that is needed in order to succeed in the world. In your ideal world, students are taught how to use Google and email, just like in “TFA land,” students are taught verbal and math skills. You’re just as “oppressing” as we are. The difference is that when you actually visit the schools we serve, it’s difficult to have a conversation about technology when some students don’t have running electricity in their homes, but math and reading can still be taught.

Even if everything I’ve said so far is completely wrong, Teach For America is a program which seeks to get those oppressed back on even grounds with their wealthier counterparts. If those oppressed are happy with the skills they have now, why are we having this conversation? Why is education reform even a subject of debate? Perhaps you don’t agree with all of their tactics, as I don’t, but don’t knock Teach For America for having the courage to try to close the achievement gap.

A second point: Northerner and Ira seem to see some kind of exclusive-or, forced choice between valuing all the strengths that students present to us and building on them, and trying to provide all children with certain skills the absence of which are significant barriers to full participation in our complex world. I don’t see that these need necessarily be in opposition. Yes, some choosing and prioritizing has to be done regardign what we have students spend time on–time is limited for all of us–but I think it’s a mistake to think the same choice s should be made for all students everywhere all the time, regardless of circumstances. Or even that the same principles or priorities need to drive all these choices all the time.

“The Taliban Certainly know, That Obama would sure like to go, So give him a push, Off the ol’ Hindu Kush. They promise to send him some blow?” (dated March 7, 2009). “Its start was a home mortage bubble, which triggered some terrible trouble, Then along came Barack, and the rest of his flock, who turned the whole nation to rubble.” (dated March 9, 2009)
“Your point about needing to repeal the sixteenth amendment is a good one.” (october 27, 2008). “Bush fought a two front war: one front in Iraq; the other in the United States. He won the first and lost the second.” (January 22, 2009). “In my experience, the education reform movement within a city is a tight club. Everyone knows everyone else, and they work closely together.” (october 4, 2008). “But Obama, well he could go places Ayers couldn’t go, win over people Ayers couldn’t work with, champion issues Ayers couldn’t champion. He was a tool.” (october 4, 2008)

People like you see those poor kids, and say, “My goodness, who am I to say that reading and math are important, and that illiteracy makes anyone ‘deficient.’ I may know how to read and write, but this poor kid before me is really good at hopping and skipping. That will serve him well in life, and I’ll utter fake words of praise for his illiterate state.”

You’re the one who is most truly dedicated to preserving privilege, whether you know it or not. Under the guise of appreciative (actually, obnoxiously condescending) rhetoric, you are the true oppressor who is working to keep kids from being educated and knowledgeable.