<p>So I got word last night that I was accepted into TFA for Oklahoma, teaching secondary social studies. Did anyone else on here get assigned to that region?</p>
<p>If so, shoot me an email. Would love to get to know some of the other corps members. tysonluneau(at)gmail</p>
<p>@ssgtbam Portland (OR) and Alaska were listed as possible expansion areas. Since they are not there yet, TFA doesn’t list them on their site. However, it is on the preferred region listing (and I had both on my form).</p>
<p>@ssgtbam: Congrats on getting through the phone interview! I definitely understand your anxiety about waiting to hear back about a final interview — I think the waiting game was the worst part of the Teach For America application! I’m sure you did wonderfully though, so I’ll let you know what comes next if you move on. </p>
<p>First, you’ll be notified (via email, I believe) that your recommendation forms have been sent out to the two recommenders whose names you submitted in the first round. You’ll also be able to access your assignment preference form on the TFA website, in which you’ll rank at least 10 regions you would prefer to work in and grade levels/subjects you would consider teaching. You’ll rank the regions and grade level/subject preferences in terms of highly preferred, preferred and least preferred. You will also be given the chance to start filling out your application for transitional funding, which is a financial award package given out by TFA to help you with the costs of moving to your region and settling down if you’re selected. As part of the final round, you will be required to submit verification of your citizenship and employment eligibility, as well as your transcripts and all of the courses you’ve taken during your college career. </p>
<p>For your final interview, you’ll prepare a 5-minute sample teaching lesson, which can be on literally ANYTHING you want, for any grade level — it doesn’t have to be a subject or grade level you want to actually teach. You are better off teaching a lesson that you’re most comfortable with! You’ll be interviewing with two TFA interviewers and about 11 or 12 other applicants. Along with your sample lesson, you’ll also participate in a group discussion about problem solving and current issues in education, and you’ll hear stories from your interviewers about some of their experiences and what being in the corps was like for them. Finally, you’ll have a one-on-one interview with one of the two interviewers (this lasts about 30 minutes to 1 hour), in which they’ll ask you more about your resume, why you want to join TFA, etc. As part of the interview, you’ll also have to participate in a short role-play scenario based on a hypothetical situation you’ll receive before the interview. Afterwards, you’ll get to play the waiting game again for about 2 weeks to find out if you’ve been selected and where you’ll be teaching! </p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a private message! The final interview can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating, but overall I had a fantastic experience with it! I’m super excited to make my way down to Mississippi this summer and see what’s in store for me as an elementary school teacher! ;)</p>
<p>Hey there! Long-time lurker, first time poster. </p>
<p>ACCEPTED!!</p>
<p>Final Interview date: February 28th
Applied for transitional funding? Yes
If yes, was there a change to Complete (if there was, list the date when the changes occurred): Changed to incomplete 3/8, under review 3/11, complete 3/14
If accepted, also post the region you were assigned to and grade level/subject you’ll be teaching: Greater Newark, K-8 Gen. Ed/Social Studies. </p>
<p>I will be attending the Philadelphia summer institute. Feel free to message me. Congrats to everyone!! :D</p>
<p>Hey everyone! I just joined this site just to participate in this thread.
I was accepted to TFA for the 4DL
My interview date was March 1st
Have not applied for transitional funding yet
And I was assigned to the Mississippi Delta region.
I have seen that a lot of us were assigned to this region. How are you all feeling about it? I am a little concerned about it. Has anyone here ever been to that area before? I am from Atlanta, and was hoping to get placed here. Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.</p>
<p>To those who I PM’d, but who weren’t able to see my full email, the part that it bleeped out is gmail. lol</p>
<p>Chanell - Yay another Delta person! There are definitely a few of us! Coming from California, it’s good news that there’s someone among us who has some experience with the South. Even though I’m sure Atlanta is a lot different than most of Mississippi, especially the Delta. But still. I’m, like, going to a new planet. lol I’m going to send you a PM so you have my email.</p>
<p>There is also a 2013 Miss. Delta group on TFAnet, but my subscription isn’t active yet so I can’t log all the way into it. It said it can take a couple days from when you accept.</p>
<p>There’s so much information. That’s why I haven’t been on here in more than a day. That and I had to get in my beach day today that I promised myself after finishing my law exams!</p>
<p>Now I’m sunburned, but I’m back, and ready to tackle the planning for my cross-country adventure. Considering various moving options. All very expensive and complicated. Anyone else out there going from California (or anywhere along the way, for that matter) to the Delta? I feel like a shared moving truck could possibly be mutually beneficial. If not, then at least some moral support. This is so exciting but SO nuts!!</p>
<p>I started to register for the Praxis today, but realized I should probably practice so I can decide how much practice time I want. Bought a study book, took the reading and writing sections of the Praxis I and they were super easy. Math is going to be a whole different story!! Saving that for tomorrow. Haven’t looked at the Praxis II’s yet, but already feeling a little better about the whole testing thing.</p>
<p>@cali Hahah, I’m pretty sure we are twins. Bought study books for the Praxis I and II today as well! I have several teacher friends (and my parents were both teachers for 30+ years), and they have all assured me that it’s nothing to stress over too much! Though we should definitely study for it (some of the questions can be tricky and worded in weird ways!), we will most certainly be fine when we take the actual test. I was told tonight by one of my friends who is a fabulous third-grade teacher: “Just answer the questions like any good teacher would.” 
</p>
<p>Talked to my recruiter today and she really made me feel a LOT more comfortable about the Delta region… though I was a little uncertain at first, I’m definitely warming up to the idea of being placed in a small town and getting involved in everything the communities down there have to offer! I’m a Southern girl at heart already, but I am really excited to experience the culture of the Deep South and meet a lot of really great people. :)</p>
<p>This might be a little late for those who purchased their books already. ETS (the people who adminster the PRAXIS) also has a store that has study materials and practice tests. Here is a coupon code you can use for 10% discount. Code: PRAXIS2013 </p>
<p>It’s only good for materials, not for tests (gosh darn). But I purchased an eBook study guide and a practice test and the code worked for me. </p>
<p>Now…off to make a study plan to be prepared for the test (I’m taking it Saturday, 4/13).</p>
<p>@Cali4 I have one idea/suggestion on finding housing. Perhaps look at the University where Institute will be held (I think it was Cleveland State in the past). Their website might have off-campus housing information. Or they may have an office that deals with such. A landlord would probably love to have someone in their rental for the summer when the traditional college students are gone.</p>
<p>@suzyjax - that’s a great idea! I didn’t even think about that, but you’re right that there’s GOT to be some summer housing available since it seems like Cleveland, MS is a small University town. It’s so weird to me that they wouldn’t be on Craigslist, lol, but I guess CL is more of a city thing. Going through the college seems safer anyway! Thanks!!</p>
<p>@ssgtbam I am in the 5DL group too. Waiting sucks! I hope to advance to the final stage, it would be an ego boost for sure :).</p>
<p>For Miss. Delta folks
Something to think about. For the most part you are placed in small towns where the school is a VERY central part of the community. This will definitely help (you won’t be overwhelmed with big city issues) and the community wants to welcome you. I find in small towns people are going to look out for you when you are new (especially if you are new and teaching at the school). So, in that sense, Miss. Delta is an easier transition than going to a strange new (big) city.</p>
<p>@bekkah… yep waiting does suck! Where are you currently located? I am in Portland, Oregon. Really not sure what to do to pass the time. I suppose that I could sort stuff in my house and get some things organized…boring! But, I do tend to get into projects and not keep track of time that way! Where are you hoping to be placed, presuming acceptance. I know that I would really like to go to South Dakota, but am really trying hard to not count on it! I fear that I have really counted on this more than I realize. Am trying hard not to count on being invited to final interview and later on, to acceptance! Yikes, this really does suck…
Only a few more days til we find out if we made the next round!</p>
<p>@ssgtbam I am in Minneapolis/Saint Paul area. I am in Education grad school and I work so I keep myself busy but it just sucks. I hate the waiting game. I guess its only 3 more days now.</p>
<p>I want South Dakota badly too. What other places are you thinking?</p>
<p>Accepted!
TF: yes
Status change: I didn’t keep track of it along the way but it changed to complete the day before decisions came out.
I’ll be teaching Early Childhood, Gen ed (k-9) or special education (k-12) in NEW YORK!!!
Super excited…going through so many emotions!
I’m interested to know who else will be in NYC!
Congrats to all who were accepted and good luck to all who are still waiting :)</p>
<p>@bekkah…I have not completely decided on my list of preferences yet, but here are some of the ones I am considering… South Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Appalachia, Mississippi Delta, Eastern North Carolina, Southwest Ohio, Delaware and Rhode Island. As you may see I have 2 high priority regions, and at least one region in each area of the country. If they should happen to add Alaska, it would be on my list as well! I forget how many we are going to have to select, and how they are to be prioritized. I hope for the best, and yet again am trying not to get too excited about the possibilities! If I had my dream come true, I would probably say South Dakota, High School Social Studies or Language Arts…but then, again I am open to most anywhere I am needed and more importantly where the kids need us!</p>
<p>Just realized that one month from today, on Thursday, April 18, 2013 (assuming of course we get invited for Final Interview) we could be the last of TFA 2013 to find out if we are accepted. This, of course, means that we would have about 6 weeks to be ready to start our new adventure in this journey called life… just thought I would put that out there for those of us who are in Group 5!</p>
<p>@ssgtbam Cool! I have many of the same places on my list. I have added New York to my list just because but I know that has many applicants to it. </p>
<p>Here are my places: Oklahoma, Rio Grande, New Mexico, Alaska(I hope they add this because I would LOVE to live here), E. N.C., Hawaii, Minneapolis/St Paul(I don’t have to move then, which would be a huge bonus 
), New York…</p>
<p>I am really open to anywhere besides Florida and I don’t know why, I just don’t want to live there.</p>
<p>@dee-91 I’m going to NYC as well and have the same subjects. I pm’d you.</p>
<p>bekkah/ssgtbam - I had really been hoping for Alaska too (it was one of my top three), but so far I haven’t heard of anyone being accepted up there. You should be able to include it in your preferences (unless they’ve ruled it out), but there is no guarantee they’re sending anyone. Portland is the other new area, so that might be good for you ssgtbam, if you decide to stay close to home. Maybe there’s a better chance of people from the last deadline going there if they just firmed up the contract! I think it would be so cool to be a founding teacher in a new region! Got my fingers crossed for you!</p>
<p>I think you have to choose ten regions, with at least one high need. Just a heads up, if you don’t want to go to the high need region, put it low on the list (like at the end, lol) because they will give it priority over other choices if you are a fit. Mississippi was in the middle of my list, and I am getting used to the idea and actually really excited to learn about it, but I’ll admit I was hoping for South Dakota, the Carolinas or Appalachia. When making your choices, I’d focus on cost of living and certification, along with rural vs city. If you can’t live in the country, then avoid those states that are mostly rural, and if living in a big city would break the bank on a teacher’s salary (like me!), then leave those out. Also if you want to get your Master’s, make sure to choose a region where that’s feasible (maybe not Appalachia, for example) and preferably affordable. Yes, the AmeriCorps grant can cover it, but it you have student loans then you’d probably rather apply it towards that! Most of all, try to keep an open mind and remember that TFA will assign you where your talent will contribute the most for the kids and that is what you want!</p>
<p>Good luck to the 5dl folks…To the final interview and beyond!! hehe</p>
<p>If accepted, you guys will have a LOT to figure out in a really short time (I’m feeling overwhelmed and I have a whole extra month). Feel free to PM me if I can offer any suggestions/advice.</p>
<p>If anyone is traveling from West to East this June (including Arizona institute, Oklahoma and of course Mississippi), I’m looking for more cars to caravan with to help everyone be safe and share the cost of lodging along the way. Safety in numbers. :)</p>