I struggled at length with my decision. My father voiced his reservations early on, noting that I shouldn't take my first offer, and that my skill sets and self-presentation would garner me a number of more prestigious (in his opinion) positions. Add to this a NYC TFA Corps member who has had a negative experience, and the fact that I will have to finish and defend a thesis in only 40 days, and you can see that my decision was anything but simple.
There were positives, but they didn't necessarily simplify my decision. I posted the query as an away message and on my facebook profile, and got overall positive results. I even got a surprise letter from a former student, who said she was too shy to ever tell me the effect I had on her: I challenged her without pushing my own beliefs, and inspired her to learn more about what she really believed, and act on it. She felt confident that I could instill this same vision in the minds of any student, but I was left to question that possibility.
Then I had to wrestle with what I know of myself. I fear social isolation, and worried that I would be alone, that it would affect my psyche, and would render me ineffective in advancing TFA's mission. I deliberated whether I would be able to do more at a macro or micro level. Ultimately, I realized that I do have a few friends in NYC, and will make enough more that I can get by (and I wouldn't be surprised, given the sociopolitical culture, if I find that it's easier to make friends in NYC than it is in Missouri!). And while I think I am destined to impart change at a macro level, likely in progressive policy, I think that it is important to begin on the ground level. Moreover, I realized that in being at the micro level of this movement, I am effectively placing my efforts in the hands of TFA's administration at the macro level - and it's an administration that I already have a lot of respect for and faith in.
So why am I joining Teach For America? I could be idealistic, and talk about change and molding young minds. I could say that I am giving equal opportunity to the underprivileged. I could say that I think Education is the building block upon which society is erected. All of this is true. But I think the reason that I got cinched on was simpler: I think that 20 New Yorkers will see life differently forever, and will self-actualize. I see Teach For America as an opportunity to awaken minds, and while I'm no Buddhist, I can't think of many goals more self-less, more engaging, or more worthwhile.