A Small College Education Program Partners With Teach For America and Works to Overcome Challenges

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Alternative Routes and Teacher Residencies in Urban Education: Critiquing, Sustaining, and Redesigning

Abstract

This year-long qualitative study examined a new partnership between a small college education program in New York and Teach for America (TFA). The researcher examined how the TFA Corps Members (CMs) perceived their learning in the graduate program and how the college could modify its program to best support CMs. Data analysis revealed there were several challenges with coursework, mentoring, and collaboration between the college and TFA that needed to be revised, restructured, and strengthened. For example, CMs thought that there should be more practical coursework in their first semester. This research adds to the sparse literature on alternative certification program/university partnerships and informs other colleges and universities that are interested in forming partnerships with alternative certification programs.

Author

• Lorrei K. DiCamillo, Canisius College