Anse:

But arguing that TFA participants should be hired above actual trained and credentialed teachers, who have at lease had the experience of student teaching, is absurd.

You have a severely distorted concept of what it means to have teaching credentials. I got certified as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher last year after two hours of study and an exam, no experience, no longwinded classes or seminars, no mentorship with an actual, experienced ESL teacher (teaching English is not the same thing). Master's degrees in Education are infamous for being some of the easiest to obtain. I knew a guy who got his while teaching full-time and moonlighting in a rock band at a local bar on weekends.

And like the poster above, I would gladly take a "temp" if I had reason to believe he was good at what he does.

Certified to teach ESL is way different than obtaining a teaching credential. They'll certify anyone to teach ESL. One of the many problems with our "English Learners" education in America.