Book Review” A Chance to Make History by Wendy Kopp
C.2011 Public Affairs Publishing, New York
: A Chance to Make History: What Works and What Doesn't in Providing an Excellent Education for All (Hardcover)
When Wendy Kopp envisioned Teach for America as part of her senior project at Princeton University, I believed that she was on to something very special on two fronts.
First, the program would provide an opportunity for a recent college graduates who had not planned to become teachers, a chance to" test the waters." In an era of chronic teacher shortages, it might have served to attract new recruits into the profession who had not considered teaching previously. Second, Kopp could have made a case for a national service commitment for all college graduates. With an all volunteer military, a required term of national services could have included the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America or a military option.
Instead, " A Chance to Make History" focuses on Teach for America alums who moved to educational leadership rather than classroom positions. The greatest success in my view was the KIPP Academy program created by two TFA alums, Michael Feinberg and David Levin.
However, Kopp continues to champion Michelle Rhee, a TFA alum who went on to become the controversial chancellor of the DC public schools. Kopp calls her a “transformational leader." Others have labeled Rhee a union busting bully. That should not have been the intent of Teach for America.
I concur with Kopp's assessment that there are no "silver bullets” out there" to cure the problems of public education in America. But given the current war against the teaching profession being waged by a number of governors, Kopp would better serve the profession by convincing TFA alums to stay on the front lines in the classroom and help students. That can help make Teach for America an enduring success and provide a legacy for Wendy Kopp.
First, the program would provide an opportunity for a recent college graduates who had not planned to become teachers, a chance to" test the waters." In an era of chronic teacher shortages, it might have served to attract new recruits into the profession who had not considered teaching previously. Second, Kopp could have made a case for a national service commitment for all college graduates. With an all volunteer military, a required term of national services could have included the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America or a military option.
Instead, " A Chance to Make History" focuses on Teach for America alums who moved to educational leadership rather than classroom positions. The greatest success in my view was the KIPP Academy program created by two TFA alums, Michael Feinberg and David Levin.
However, Kopp continues to champion Michelle Rhee, a TFA alum who went on to become the controversial chancellor of the DC public schools. Kopp calls her a “transformational leader." Others have labeled Rhee a union busting bully. That should not have been the intent of Teach for America.
I concur with Kopp's assessment that there are no "silver bullets” out there" to cure the problems of public education in America. But given the current war against the teaching profession being waged by a number of governors, Kopp would better serve the profession by convincing TFA alums to stay on the front lines in the classroom and help students. That can help make Teach for America an enduring success and provide a legacy for Wendy Kopp.
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