Administrator and Teacher Interview - Essay Example

?Topic: Administrator and Teacher Interview The following is the interview transcription Why did you choose to go into education as a career? Jo Ann Gonzales, Roscoe ISD, Third Grade After a semester in college, I had no idea what I wanted to do educationally or professionally. I knew that I needed an education, but I had no idea as to what career I wanted to pursue. After enrolling at Hardin-Simmons University, I realized what my calling was. A professor noticed that I had many hours in Spanish and asked me if I had ever considered teaching Spanish or bilingual education. I had always loved working with children, as I had worked with children in my high school years, helping them to read and practice math. And so, my career in education began. After some time in school, I began to realize all the benefits of being an educator: summers and holidays off, time with my family, working with children, and a love for a career unlike any other. (2) Would you recommend the education profession to others? Why or why not? I would only recommend the education profession to others that truly want to teach. The rewards from the students’ successes are wonderful. Most parents are kind and helpful. There are many more positive aspects to teaching, but there are also negative aspects to teaching. For example, teachers are some of the lowest paid professionals in the country. Teachers must continue to educate themselves to stay current in educational trends, often at their own expense. There is immense pressure to make students perform on state accountability tests because student scores are tied to state funds for the schools. (3) Are there any other teachers in your family? If so, who? I have two cousins who are educators in Texas. (4) What is your highest level of education? (Masters) Leadership of Learning, M.Ed. (5) How long have you been an educator? I have been an educator for thirteen years. (6) What is your greatest challenge as an educator? My greatest challenge is getting parents involved in their children’s education. (7) How do you balance the demands of your profession with the political realities of the education system? It is difficult. I often take the political realities personally. I try to do my job and leave the other “stuff” at school. Sometimes I vent to those I trust, and sometimes administrators hear my voice if I feel passionately enough about the topic. I try not to rock the boat too often because I feel like everyone is constantly critiquing my actions and me. (8) Do you live in the community that you work in? If yes, do you believe that it is important for educators to live in the community in which they work? Why or why not? I live in a nearby town. I believe that it is important for the educator to be involved in the community. An educator does not have to live in the community to be involved. I loved living in the community where I taught because the students could come over at any time. On the other hand, living outside the community offers more privacy. (9) Who was your greatest educational influence? My high school science teacher helped me love learning. He taught me to become a life-long learner. Later, he hired me in my first teaching position. During my time working with him, Mr. Hardy taught me what a true leader is: one who serves others. (10) What is the greatest benefit of being an educator? The greatest benefit is watching young people learn and love learning. When a child realizes that he/she can do anything with effort, it is amazing to watch them try new things and succeed. It is more amazing to watch them fail and try again in a different way. That shows that they are growing as students. When they accomplish what they thought was impossible, their smiles and hugs are the greatest pay. b) Administrator and Teacher Interview i) Make arrangements to interview both an administrator and a teacher. Utilize the questions below in the interview and record their responses: (1) Why did you choose to go into education as a career? I chose to go into education to help students achieve their dreams. (2) Would you recommend the education profession to others? Why or why not? I would recommend the education professional to others because it is a noble profession. Teachers have one of the greatest impacts on children because they are around them more than anyone else as they are growing up. (3) Are there any other teachers in your family? If so, who? No, I am the only one. (4) What is your highest level of education? I have my master’s degree in education. (5) How long have you been an educator? 16 years (6) What is your greatest challenge as an educator? In today’s times, we are sometimes the only role models students have. It is not true with all of them, school is the only place they receive love, attention, and giddiness. (7) How do you balance the demands of your profession with the political realities of the education system? The political real life’s are not too hard to handle because if it is a federal or state mandate, you have no chose but to do it. You still give everyone a shoulder to lean on and continue to encourage and support every time they do. (8) Do you live in the community that you work in? If yes, do you believe that it is important for educators to live in the community in which they work? Why or why not? Yes I live in the community and think it is important to do because it lets the community (parent and children) know that you value their community and want to be a part of it. It gives you ownership. (9) Who was your greatest educational influence? My sister-in-law and my high school science teacher. (10) What is the greatest benefit of being an educator? Helping to mold young students into successful and productive members of society. For purposes of writing the essay, Jo Ann Gonzales, Roscoe ISD, Third Grade, shall be referred to as Interviewee A, the other one whose name was not included shall be Interviewee B. Topic: Administrator and Teacher Interview ( the essay) Both of them are holders of the degree, Master of Education, and they have been in the teaching profession for more than ten years (13 and 16 years respectively). On account of their experiences, they are now in a position to talk about realities in the profession as there is a vast gulf of differences between the ideals of teaching with what is obtaining in the classrooms (Kizlik, 2008) When asked what made them choose teaching as their profession, both said that they love children and that they want them to achieve their dreams. Helping students to succeed and become what they are capable of becoming is truly rewarding. However, love for children should not only be the basis for choosing teaching as a profession. It is more of interest, commitment or missionary zeal which make one stay in the profession. These should be highlighted with the professional capabilities of the teacher to become truly of service. Are they going to recommend teaching to others? Interviewee A, says, “Yes, but only to those who truly want to teach.” Interviewee B also said “Yes, because it is a noble profession. Both answered in the affirmative but with different messages. Interviewee A’s answer implies that teaching is not for everybody. It is only for those who really are interested and determined to make it their lifelong calling. Interviewee B’s response connotes that teaching can be for everybody because it is honorable and decent. However, Kelly (2010) says that teaching is not tailored for everybody. It is a unique calling for unique personalities. There are benefits which were given. Interviewee A, mentioned summers and holidays, time with family, working with children and love for career. These are in consonance with some of the top reasons to become a teacher underscored by Kelly. She said that unless one works in a district that has a year-round-education system, she can have a couple of months off in the summer and she may choose to get another job, teach summer school, or just relax and vacation. Further, teachers are on vacation for two weeks during Christmas, and enjoy Winter Holidays and one week Spring Break. In addition to, for those who have children of school age, the school calendar will typically allow them to have the same days off as the kids. They can have time as a family. Interviewee B, on the other hand considered as a benefit her being close to children and that she has one of the greatest impact on their lives. Yes, it is very obvious that teachers help shape the learner’s future each day as they spent most of their waking hours with them in school ( Kizlik, 2008). There are, however, negative sides of teaching underscored by Interviewee A, ( Interviewee B was silent about it) like teachers are the lowest paid employees and that they must undergo professional development to render them updated and relevant using their own money, and they, too, are beset with the pressure of making the students perform in state tests. Kizlik also believed that no one gets rich on being a teacher but he, too, underscored that there are reasons why teaching can be a great profession like prestige and respect given by parents and student, and the thought of having helped in molding the future citizens. On the challenges, the Interviewees gave similar opinions. For A, getting the involvement of parents is her greatest challenge, while B, considers the teachers as the only role model students have, the only place they can receive love, attention is the school. This implies that teachers should consider the parents as their partners, in cases where parents are remiss with their roles, they act as role models and as surrogate parents. On balancing demands of the profession and political realities their responses are different. Interviewee A said that it is difficult. She has to do what she can without rocking the boat for fear of being criticized. She vents her emotions to trusted friends and administrators. Interviewee B, says that political realities are not too hard to handle because they are federal or state mandates so all they have to do is to follow. They should support and encourage those who need help. It is gleaned from their statements that there are issues and realties affecting teaching, But, this is also true to other professions. What is important is hat one should develop a coping mechanism to get going. The Interviewees are of the belief that it is good for teachers to live in the community where they teach but should not be necessary. If they live in it, they can be easily approached by the parents and students; they feel that they are part and parcel of the community. However, their privacy is being invaded. It is therefore incumbent on where the teacher prefers to live. It is interesting to note that both of them were influenced by their science teachers in their high school days. Interviewee A, describes her science teacher as selfless as he taught her to serve others. Interviewee B included her sister in law as having influenced her to become a teacher. To cap it all, the Interviewees consider the following as the greatest benefit of an educator: a) watching people learn and love learning, and b) helping to mold young students into successful and productive citizens. Based on their responses, am I more likely or less likely to become a teacher? Why? References ; Kelly, Melissa. Top Ten Reasons to Become a Teacher. About:teaching careersteacher education About.com Guide. August 1, 2011. Web Kizlik, Dr. R.J. Tips on Becoming a Teacher at Updated April 28, 2011. August 2, 2012. Web Read More