Teach For America CEO On The Value Of Teachers In 2021 | How I Built This with Guy Raz | NPR

Transcript

hello everybody happy new year welcome to how i built this resilience edition from npr i'm guy roz uh it's great to see you all this is of course where we talk about how businesses are building resilience into their organizations in these challenging times um so welcome back this is our first episode of the new year and what what a new year it's be... Read More

Summary

In this episode of "How I Built This Resilience Edition," host Guy Raz interviews Alisa Villanueva Beard, CEO of Teach for America. They discuss the challenges faced by the education system during the pandemic and the importance of building resilience in the face of adversity. Alisa shares her personal story and explains how Teach for America works to address inequities in education.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you explain how Teach for America works?

Teach for America exists to address the systemic problem of inequity in education. The organization recruits individuals who are committed to creating change and provides them with training and support. These individuals then teach in low-income communities for at least two years, with the goal of becoming lifelong advocates for equity and justice in education. Teach for America has a network of over 65,000 members, and 80% of its alumni continue to serve in the education field or long-term community service.

Q: As a Teach for America alumna, what motivated you to pursue a career in education?

Alisa Villanueva Beard grew up in South Texas, where she witnessed firsthand the inequities in the education system. Her mother, who immigrated from Mexico, recognized the value of education and instilled in Alisa the belief that it was the pathway to opportunity. Alisa herself faced challenges when she attended college and realized that many students from low-income communities were not adequately prepared for the rigors of higher education. This realization led her to Teach for America, where she could work towards creating a different reality for children in underserved communities.

Q: How did Teach for America adapt to the challenges of the pandemic?

The pandemic highlighted the existing inequities in the education system. Teach for America quickly pivoted to offer virtual support and training to its teachers. They redesigned their curriculum in just nine weeks to accommodate virtual teaching. One of the biggest challenges was the lack of access to technology and internet for many students. Teach for America educators and communities came together to find creative solutions, such as raising funds to provide devices and partnering with organizations to ensure connectivity. However, the digital divide remains a major injustice, and millions of students still do not have access to learning.

Q: How have teachers in underserved communities been creative in their approach to virtual learning?

Teachers in underserved communities have shown incredible creativity in adapting to virtual learning. Some schools have implemented flexible schedules to accommodate students who also have work or other responsibilities. Others have incorporated real-world issues into their curriculum and engaged community members in the learning process. Strong relationships between teachers, students, and families have become crucial during this time, and many teachers have found innovative ways to build and maintain those relationships. Overall, teachers have been focused on making learning relevant, engaging, and personalized for their students.

Q: How has Teach for America focused on recruiting and supporting teachers of color?

Teach for America recognizes the importance of having a racially and ethnically diverse teaching force. In the past six years, they have made it a priority to recruit a diverse group of teachers, with at least 50% of their core members being people of color. They have provided resources and support to ensure the successful recruitment of teachers from diverse backgrounds. Teach for America is now among the largest and most diverse groups of educators going into low-income communities. They will continue to prioritize diversity and strive for greater representation in the teaching profession.

Q: Has Teach for America faced challenges in recruiting during the pandemic?

The pandemic has introduced new challenges to the recruitment process. Teach for America is currently in the middle of its recruitment season, which has been affected by delays and changes due to the uncertainties caused by COVID-19. While the organization expects a smaller core this year, they remain optimistic that individuals committed to making a difference in education will step up. The resilience and dedication of educators have been evident throughout this challenging time.

Q: How do you envision teaching to look like after the pandemic?

Alisa hopes that teaching will undergo a transformation after the pandemic. This crisis has provided an opportunity to reimagine education and move away from the traditional model. Teaching should be centered around relevant and engaging learning experiences that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Technology will play a role in supporting personalized learning, but it should not be seen as a solution on its own. The focus should be on meeting the needs of individual students and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Q: What advice do you have for parents navigating virtual learning?

Alisa acknowledges the difficulties faced by parents during this time. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding for teachers and the challenges they face. Parents should focus on the well-being of their children, asking them how they are doing and addressing their individual needs. There are numerous resources available, such as Khan Academy and tutoring programs, that can supplement virtual learning. Alisa also recommends implementing screen-free days or activities to encourage family time and physical exercise.

Q: How can we address the issue of the digital divide and ensure access to learning for all students?

The digital divide has long been a problem, but the pandemic has brought it to the forefront. Alisa calls for a systemic solution and a national priority to close the gap. This issue requires collaboration between the education system, government, and private organizations. It is essential to provide devices, broadband internet, and connectivity to all students. Closing the digital divide is not only about providing access to learning; it is about creating equity and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Takeaways

The pandemic has highlighted the inequities in the education system, particularly the digital divide. Teach for America has adapted to the challenges and has been working to recruit and support a diverse group of teachers. Creativity and innovation have been key in addressing the needs of students and communities. Moving forward, teaching should be reinvented to prioritize relevant and engaging learning experiences. Parents can support their children's virtual learning by focusing on their well-being and utilizing available resources. Closing the digital divide should be a national priority to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities.