<p>Please know that the only reason I am posting the pm is because I am open to pms but PotCM123 is not. I tried to reply but was denied because of the choice PotCM123 made not to accept pms.</p>
<p>To all who supported my response to PotCM123 the lady sent me this pm:</p>
<p>So here it is:</p>
<p>Since I do not wish to turn an otherwise well-meant thread into a negative one, I will say that everything you have “publicly” stated, can be (and perhaps, was correctly) a lecture. Just because I only have 18 years full-time work experience does not mean, however, that your experiences makes you a “better” teacher or person. My initial response to one of the posters was the result of them stating they are the epitome of what TFA wants or “not to sound conceited/cocky.” Additionally, if a person points to “The Sham of TFA” prior to their notification or remarks in a negative way how their friend’s TFA experience was bad, I am wrong for my comments? I previously commented to someone that leadership is not viewed in the same ways as years past because I wanted to be encouraging. However, if someone wants to be part of an organization that is competitive, and immediately questions their integrity upon rejection, that makes little sense. I applied to a highly competitive doctoral program that admits less than 15 persons a year. Sure I’m bummed but I know the school only knows me based on a writing sample based on another degree program, excellent grades & recommendations, and very average test scores. What made them reject me, I am not sure exactly, but I know I was not prepared when I wrote my essays (I do work and attend school FT), I did not properly research the faculty, and I should have taken the GRE again. I will definitely apply again, but I’m sure the school offered positions to those students more qualified than I. One could easily take “not to sound conceited but” as anything but the opposite. Perhaps there is now a bias (for them) on your part because you were not accepted. I doubt very few persons that made it to the final interview would be a poor selection for TFA. The only persons in my interview group that seemed a mismatch (and they may have been accepted) were those that were extremely late or one that talked over everyone during the group project. Still, before I left my interview, I stated that those that were late may have been the result of wrong directions on the website. I would hate for the best person to lose a chance if it was not their fault. </p>
<p>I am joining TFA because I really hope to bridge the achievement gap that I have experienced. I chose my current program because it is based on multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice. I do extensive research and have taken on additional courses for my M.S. program so that I have multiple ways to assess my students’ work, properly write grant proposals, and identify students’ needs in areas where socioeconomic challenges are presented. So while you may want to judge me based on a handful of posts, be mindful that your “concerns” regarding my first year teaching are very-much on my mind. I do extensive research, spend time in the classroom (high school setting), and I love and live diversity.</p>
<p>I am not sure of the intention of your comments, whether to “show me up” or to “show off.” I have studied and worked abroad and I travel frequently. I appreciate parts of what you have said but it is better equated to a tongue-lashing (albeit virtually) vs. a sincere message. It’s as if you assume I am with limited experience or that I am somehow oblivious to the future. I have held multiple jobs (int’l as well), now within a grad program. I get along great with all of my professors and I have a perfect GPA. I have not always appreciated education which is ultimately the reason I want to teach. I enjoy learning and I am a lifelong student. Not everyone understands why education is important, or they were taught in an environment where teachers lectured rather than allowed the students to lead a classroom. I attended many schools in different places. I bring with me those many experiences which help me with my grad students and will hopefully help me with HS students as well. I love history, music, theatre, and art and will apply those to my lesson plans. I am creative. So I understand what you have said, but there are many things I chose not to state about myself because I did not see a reason. </p>
<p>So if you are still reading this; I know it’s long…I stand by my comments. I am only responding to you because you believe I do not understand the concept of humility which in my “real life world” is something I fully embrace. I am not, however, someone that is afraid to speak her mind. Telling me that people have sent you PM’s only shows me that even in a virtual world, people do not communicate enough. It is one of the reasons why racism, oppression, and discrimination (among others) continue to occur. I won’t think less of someone if they tell me I’m wrong. I may not agree, but I believe that if you can tell the person that agrees with you, you should address the person that does not. It is not my intention for you to respect me since you don’t even know me. There is plenty more to say, but I should spend that time completing my work. </p>
<p>My response:</p>
<p>@PotCM123
You chose not to accept pms yet you availed yourself of my choice to accept pms so I will post your pm to me and my response. These issues between individuals that get hidden fester and that should not happen. All that goes on, other than personal information, about disputes that help TFA applicants should be posted on the forum as many more may feel the same way.
Again I urge you to self reflect. Your comments were all about “I”. Please read your post again as if you were grading an undergrad, it is not a thing you might want to grade an A, B, C but maybe a D.
My wish for you and the children you will be teaching is that you can learn from critiques and not just knee jerk a reaction which is how you come across in the written word.
Let me point out that your initial response to NYRicanGirl (which is the reason I responded to your post) did not start off with what would be expected from a member of a group of caring individuals who went through the process. Phrases such as “I am sorry I won’t have you to share experiences with” or “I understand your frustration and I’m sorry you won’t be in the corp this year but relax for a few weeks then decide” or something else in that tone would have been much more appropriate.
What you did was take on a person who had put in as much effort and maybe more than you and came down on them when they were on the mat. Then you ground her into the mat because you of who knows what you were thinking and yes, she is the epitome of what TFA wants.
Unkind, unprofessional, and beyond the pale.
About the pms I received, l when one person is saying something aloud then ten more are thinking that but they are concerned about saying it in a public forum.
My post was not a lecture by any means, it was a critique pointing out the weaknesses in your post i.e. the tone, message and the abysmal understanding about others feelings.
I stand by what I said also. I wish you the best in teaching but as you relate to me at the moment and to others on the forum I would not want you teaching me or any children.
I hope that in the first month of your teaching position you gain maturity, stop making off the cuff, rude, condescending, insulting comments and listen or it will be a very hard first year for you and devastating for your students.</p>