Interview of a veteran teacher

Interview of a Veteran teacher
03-18-10

The person I conducted my interview with was Mrs. Jobson. Mrs. Jobson is the teacher that I was assigned to in order to complete and conduct my service learning hours with. Mrs. Jobson is a Black American teacher with all Hispanic classrooms of first grade students. In this classroom setting multicultural experiences is a plus and multicultural does not inhibit the students or the teacher. The major focus is all about education. First question to Mrs. Jobson was how long she has been a teacher. Mrs. Jobson informed me that she has been a teacher for thirty eight years. She has been at Amelia Earhart Elementary School for a little over eighteen years.
Next question I asked her was why she chose to become a teacher. Mrs. Jobson told me that she came from a family of educators. She knew she would be an educator but when it was time to attend college she decided to become a nurse, and try something different. Actually when the final decision had to be made she chose education or one may say that education chose her. So off she went to the University and obtained her degree as an educator. My next question to her was why she chose early childhood education and not upper level or advanced level or education. She told me that to her all students are like a blank slate. The earlier one can make an impression on that slate the better. She stated that upper and advanced level of education the slate has already been made. At the early childhood education stage as a teacher she gets the opportunity to be the molder of that slate.
Mrs. Jobson said she views each student the first day of school and sees what lasting impression she can make in their lives. To her to be a teacher means to touch a life. My next question to her was this, your main reason you decided to remain a first grade teacher. Yes she stated. She continued to tell me that when she was growing up about her childhood educational experience. She said that there were many teachers that affected her life and some that was damaging. She said at that moment she was determined to become a teacher to change the ills that occurs early in education. She said she believes that she could always make a difference in the life of a student for the better.
I asked her what she thought was her most rewarding educational experience. She said on the first day of school she gets a new set of students to work with. Many from all walks of life with work to be done. Her most rewarding experience is when she takes a child under her wings that may have difficulties and at the end of the school year look back and see the accomplishment that was made in that individual’s life. To her this is the most rewarding part of her job.
I asked her how she incorporates cooperative learning in the classroom. She stated that the entire desk are arranged in such a way that students may work independently or as a group. Most cooperative learning is done during Science and Social Studies where students can work together as a group. I also wanted to know her standards for behavior. Unacceptable behavior is addressed immediately with a verbal warning. If that does not modify the behavior then a time out is given. The next step is to remove points. The teacher has a point system set up where students are all given high points at the beginning of each day. As the behavior requires adjustment so does the points with color codes and before the day is concluded based on the color code a reward is given as simple as a sticker, happy face or a treat. The others are told that tomorrow starts a new day to work towards receiving and keeping the points. If the behavior truly needs to be addressed then the student is sent to the office where the parents are called. Sending students to the office is truly the last attempt to modify the behavior, usually by the time points are taken away adjustments are made to correct the behavior. These approaches are also used for disruption during class time.
I noticed that Mrs. Jobson’s class is filled with colorful decorations. She told me that not only does the decoration add color but each chart, sign, symbol or anything used in the classroom it also has an educational meaning behind it. I looked closer and it did. Charts had days of the week, months or the year, achievements, rules, time and the list goes on and on. Next question was how you deal with different learners that are in your classroom. She proceeded to tell me again the seating in the classroom also serves that function. Each group has a number and according to the group she has identified the different learners in her classroom. The students that require the most attention was placed up front and as one encircled the room the seating arrangement was more clarified. Later when I went back I noticed that the arrangement had changed again as she told me that she had to make some adjustments once again. So the seating arrangements work best to determine the different classes of learners.
I also wanted to know how she stays informed with the parents as to what is going on in the classroom. In her class most of the parents are there to pick up the students at the end of the day or they drop them off in the morning. Here she is given the opportunity to do a one on one with the parents and need be the students. I also wanted to know how technology was integrated in the classroom. There are three computers in the classroom that the students may use. During the lesson time she is able to determine who goes on the computers and the time frame they are allowed to stay. I saw her used a time clocked and when the interval was over the next student who turn it was to use the computer went on the computer. She tells then who will use what computer and what the lesson to be used is logged on in the morning usually after attendance is taken.

My final question to her was what she considered to be the most challenging part of her job. She told me discipline. She has noticed that there seems to be more discipline issues that has to be constantly addressed compared to years prior. The other issue was helping students stay on task and remained focus. Most students today are more distracted for whatever the reason may be but as a teacher learning requires attention and focus and a teacher has to grasp that focus and hold on to it. I then thanked Mrs. Jobson for the opportunity of working with her. This concluded my interview with a veteran teacher name Mrs. Jobson.