In case you missed Teach For America’s big night, I’ll recap. Wendy Kopp appeared on “The Colbert Report” on Monday, Feb. 5th. I must sadly admit that I am not a regular viewer of the show (past my teacher bed time) and Monday was no exception. So I had to watch the creator of my fate on TIVO last evening.
Let me give you a little background of my experiences with Wendy Kopp. Though I am an active member of TFA, I have not read Wendy’s book, “One Day All Children”. I equate this to the fact that I am ACTUALLY LIVING the book as we speak. I did once hear her speak at the Houston Summer Institute (otherwise known as “teacher boot camp”). Let’s just say, she and George W. Bush share a similar talent for public speaking. So I was anticipating a rather rude awakening for Wendy last night when she squared off against Mr. Pompous himself.
Instead of a humorous back and forth, the spot turned into a commercial for Teach For America. Wendy managed to rattle off the company line unabated, with a few polite quips from Steve Colbert. I don’t know what TFA had to do to get that privalege, but it worked. We just got free air time on a show that targets our main recruitment group. I salute you, marketing division of TFA. And people wonder why we are the largest recruiter of college seniors…..
P.S. I particularly like the part where Colbert asks Wendy if she was ever a teacher and she says “No.” He replies, “Oh, so do as I say, not as I do.” That’s reality folks.
