What Do Principals Think of Teach For America Southwest Ohio?
October 22, 2019
Every year, Teach For America surveys principals at our partner schools to get an assessment of our performance from outside sources.
The results from our survey for the 2018-2019 school year are in, and once again, our corps members are excelling and the vast majority of principals that we work with are happy to partner with us. Around the nation, 88 percent of principals are satisfied or highly satisfied with their Teach For America corps members. Roughly the same number agree that they would recommend TFA corps members to fellow school leaders, or would hire a new corps member to help fill a vacancy.
In this year's survey, we included questions to help assess how we're adjusting to TFA's new Foundations and Theory of Leadership. In particular, we asked principals for feedback on the support and training corps members received, and if the principals saw TFA corps members and alumni serving as leaders in their schools. We believe these measures are a strong indicator of our success in their buildings.
A Look at Survey Results for Principals in the Southwest Ohio Region
In the Teach For America Southwest Ohio region, 83 percent of principals are satisfied or highly satisfied with corps members, and 82 percent are satisfied with our training and support of those corps members (this is is far greater than the 60 percent nationwide satisfaction rate).
“My TFA alumni are leaders in my school, without a doubt. They chair the majority of committees, have extremely professional and positive attitudes, and are willing to go above and beyond for their students.”
Our coaching team is dedicated to their corps members and students, working to make sure that our classrooms are serving all of their students, and we’re incredibly proud that their hard work is validated in this survey.
Most reflective of our work within our partner schools, though, are principals’ open responses to questions about their TFA teachers’ leadership in their buildings. One CPS principal notes the success one corps member has had in empowering their students, remarking, “A TFA corps member leads our school in providing voice and ownership for our students in the classroom. This was recognized and archived on an NPR radio show.” Another mentions the prevalence of TFA alumni in school leadership, stating, “My TFA alumni are leaders in my school, without a doubt. They chair the majority of committees, have extremely professional and positive attitudes, and are willing to go above and beyond for their students.”
Clearly, Teach For America teachers are leading in their buildings in Southwest Ohio, and we’re proud of our corps members for their dedication.
We strive to do good for the children of Southwest Ohio, and this annual survey is one of the best tools we have to get outside, unbiased assessment. We're appreciative of the positive feedback, and pleased to be seen as valuable partners in this important work.