Interview with my Middle School English Teacher

For this interview I chose to go back to my middle school and talk to my 8^th grade English teacher. I decided this because that is the age group and subject that I want to teach. I was hoping that she could give me more insight into the job that I am in the process of getting my degree for and hopefully doing for the rest of my working life.

I asked this teacher about her background and how she got into teaching. She originally wanted to become a writer so she earned a B.A. of Art in English. With this degree she taught English as a Second Language(ESL) for three years. This was partly because her husband at the time did not have English as his first language. She taught at a local Catholic school for three years before teaching two more years of ESL. She has been teaching at the Town School for eight years now.

I asked her about some of the parts about teaching that she likes and much of her joy came from her students and watching them as they begin to understand what it is she is teaching and then watchi9ng as the students apply that knowledge elsewhere. She believes that each age group you teach needs something a little different. For instance, she said that the most important part of middle school is socialization. Students are at school to learn the curriculum but they are there to build their friendships and social networks as well. This teacher believes in forming relationships with her students so that they understand that they can trust her and trust her to understand their situations at that time in their life. When I was her student she helped me and my friends on a frequent basis deal with our friendship issues. She knew that they would all pass and she would tell us that, but she would listen to it all and let us vent even if it was really not the end of the world like we thought it was.

We also talked about some of the issues that are dealt with in the teaching profession. For instance, the school board and administration have a lot of say in what you can and cannot do in your classroom. I remember this teacher having a reading corner in her room that had bean bags and comfy chairs. She also had scarves on some of the lights to soften the florescent glare. The school administration has told her she can no longer do that. This surprised because the way she did things worked for her students and made learning better. They have also told her to adjust her style of teaching so that all of the classes she teaches are all at the same point in the curriculum at the same time. However this last request doesn’t work very well because each class learns at a different pace and some students need more time with a book than others. She has decided that regardless of this request, she is not going to jeopardize the education her students are getting because the administration wants things done a certain way. I give major points for it.

She also told me that working with the students can be just as tough as it is rewarding. Her favorite moment is when a student finally understands something that they couldn’t before or gets inspired to read something or write in a way they wouldn’t beforehand. When I asked her what three things she would have me keep in mind for when I become a teacher she told me that loving them all (the students) is okay; to not take any of it personally, you will always have a student or two who will hate you no matter what you say or do; and push your high students. She and I discussed that the schooling system today focuses greatly the students who aren’t making it and are forgetting to push the students who are making it and even exceeding the goals set for them. I agree with her. If we don’t push those students, they may never reach their full potential. They may get board and stop trying and that would be such a waste.

I think that this interview really helped me to see the reality in teaching. I am the type of person who likes to know what I am getting myself into. I don’t really like surprises when it involves something like a career choice or something that could be a big deal if it went wrong. Now that I have talked to a teacher who has been teaching for a while and gave me the uncut truth of what this job really entails, I feel more secure about my decision to become a teacher. I know what to look for and expect from those I will have to work with, at least to a degree. I will still have to apply all of the things we discussed once I am a teacher, and that won’t be easy, but I will at least know that they are coming.