Personal Narrative: My Interview As A Teacher

Over the past eighteen years I have been alive, there have not been any real challenges I have faced in my pursuit of education. I come from a family of immigrants that managed to find themselves a good life, away from the ghetto and the poverty line, through hard work. Both my parents had to move to a place away from everything they knew to learn English as a second language to give their children, myself included, a better chance at life, and I can gladly say their effort was not in vain. If there was one thing I struggled with in pursuit of my education, it would have to be myself.

Ashlyn Edwards is an elementary school grades teacher and is licensed to teach grade levels K-6. She currently resides in Texas and has taken some time off from teaching to be with her family. Before taking the time off, Ashlyn worked in two different schools, one of which was in Georgia and the other in Kansas. In Georgia, she taught Kindergarten and in Kansas she taught grade 1. I chose to interview Ashlyn because I had met her several years ago through another friend and I found out she was a teacher at that time. Even though I had not got to know more about Ashlyn before this interview, I was hopeful that she would be able to provide me some insight into what it is like being a teacher and the ups and downs of the job. I asked Ashlyn five questions related to her job and she provided answers that not only guided me but also helped me to understand ways that I can become prepared to teach.

I have taught students ranging from five years old to nineteen years of age. Hence, being an educator, I have learned that learning is always shifting, therefore I must keep improving with the incessant changes. As a little girl, I have always dreamt of being a teacher and I have carried out that dream. My career journey started as a substitute teacher, a floater between classrooms, an assistant teacher, a teacher, a center supervisor, and an educational supervisor. I presently work as an Educational consultant for Danya International LLC. As an Educational Consultant, I able to review and aid with the learning environment of teachers and educational management in a school

I have been a preschool teacher, teaching mixed age children from 18 months to 5 years, for over 10 years. I started as a work study employee, while attending the Community College of Philadelphia in 2006, to a part-time teaching assistant while attending Temple University in 2010. This led me to a lead-teacher position after graduation and then to a program coordinator. I have developed effective working relationships with children in the past years. This position has helped me improve my teamwork and interpersonal skills by cooperating with other teachers in planning teaching materials according to the Reggio Emilia approach and by sharing teaching resources. I decided that working with children, understanding and assisting in their education,

Even though I volunteered in different schools, I never had the opportunity to ask about the real feelings of a teacher. During the interview, I learned that there is more than just teaching in becoming a teacher. This is because she told me how one of her hesitation on becoming a teacher is the time one dedicates for the job. She told me that when one is teacher, one must prepare lesson plans, come to school early to prepare for the day, and even stay longer to grade papers. She said that her typical day starts at 7:30 am to prepare materials and school instruction starts from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Then, even though the class ends already, she needs to create lesson plans for the entire week. She said that all these things are part of a teacher’s job, but they do not get paid to do these things. Therefore, I learned that being a teacher is not easy because there are a lot of extra responsibilities beyond the job description and that being a teacher extend beyond the classroom. Additionally, her answer made me reflect on whether I want a job, where I have to work more than the “work hours.” However, despite this workload, what amazes me was when she said that if she could go back, she would still choose to be a teacher because of her passion to make a difference in the lives of the

I seek to join Teach For America because I would not be where I am today if it was not for caring teachers who pushed me into the right direction and validated the idea that I can be a successful student. Growing up my mother and grandmother were both teachers, and hearing their struggles of teaching, I had vowed to never become one. When high school came I was convinced that I was going to join the military and that college was never an option. That was until I met Ms. Mudron, my English teacher who planted a seed in me that grows till this day. My answers to questions that she asked regarding our readings were nothing like the other students, yet they were not wrong, she informed me that I thought outside of the box and that is why I should

A few years ago I began to work extensively with the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF), first as a tutor, then later as a liaison for my high school. From two years of one-on-one study sessions, alone in a classroom, I could fill a book with memoirs of families rocked by medical expenses that, without NCCF, threatened to bankrupt every person I met—children and adults sacrificing their prom, their college fund, their 401k, to the untrumpable cause of their son’s-daughter’s-brother’s-sister’s-niece’s-nephew’s-grandchild’s health. As a tutor, it was my job to help any student put before me to understand whatever had gone over their head in school; as a person, it was my job to let them cry for the first few minutes after the door of the classroom closed behind them when, for a moment, they didn’t have to bear the weight of so many worlds. It was my job to let them talk

I find myself reading this short paragraph over and over(above). My topic sentence makes me happy and proud. Going back to school was the best thing I have done. I chose to talk about going back to school to the “future employer” because it shows I am motivated as well as dedicated. This class has brought a lot to my attention. The mannerism that is expected in the “business world” is to speak and write well. It is extremely important to know how to write (type) a meaning full and proper paper whether it is for school or work. I have noticed a great impact in my vocabulary and writing skills. My boss told me on Monday he is impressed with the new docs I typed up for our new clients (with no help from him). I was not excited about this class

Now let’s quickly close this protracted (slide rule scaled) essay by skipping over the gaping and barren caldera that is my Public School education, where I studiously avoided the pre-med Math and Science track - since I don’t plan on becoming a doctor or a mathematician, in favor of Castle’s (almost but not quite) nationally recognized Media Arts Program - since I do plan on pursuing the Arts, diving deep into the (Liberal) Arts and Languages - Pidgin, Spanish, French, English & Writing classes, to emulate the trail-blazing trajectory of my older (and similarly math-phobic) sister Maria, so like her I too might procure a Kenyon Film degree and secure my fame and fortune and everything that goes with it - I thank you all (and one day The Academy)

One morning, I woke up and got an email saying I was going to be a teacher at Crawford Middle School, so I got ready and drove to the middle school. When I got there I went to the office and got assigned to the seventh grade science class. At first I was nervous because I had nothing at all planned for class. As I walked in all eyes turned toward me. I introduced myself and started to become less nervous.

I have chosen to become a teacher because I believe that education is the center of a country’s development process and prosperity. I want to be an educator to play an effective role in my society’s revival. Besides, I have always dreamed to be a teacher; it is a passion, which I truly have since I was young. The strong teaching motivation, which I have is derived from the deep belief that teachers can make a big difference in their students’ lives. In addition, I believe that teaching is a noble profession, which should be taken seriously. I know that being a teacher is never easy; it comes with high responsibilities and obstacles, but I am sure that I have suitable qualifications, which make me eligible to overcome them. Education as a basic concept in my perspective is all about developing knowledge, skills, values, ethics, physical and spiritual aspects,

I was in 7th grade and didn't know everything was about to change. My mother wanted to get a job and this meant she wouldn't be able to be my teacher anymore. My parents decided, after three years of homeschooling to send me to public school. This was so it would be easier for my mother to get a job and not have to deal with being our teacher as well, because that would be too stressful. I didn't know very many people and wasn't used to being with large amounts of people for long periods of time. Eventually, I got settled in and started to make friends.

Danielle: 3 because she seemed too needy. I found myself being too repetitive with instructions and suggestions that were self-explanatory. I am not discrediting her intellectual ability in anyway but she seemed too disoriented than I would have liked to be. I will commend her for taking the initiative to meeting with me outside of the classroom because I initially approach this assignment with an independent mindset.

In the previous years, I have made the decision to work concurrently with my education. I have been working as a waitress in a local restaurant for years. My parents were opposed to my working since they wanted me to focus on my grades, but I wanted to lessen the financial burden for them. Both of my parents never received an education and they wanted me to solely focus on school to secure myself a better future despite our poverty.

Public school systems need to be more sensitive to their students. Parents play the major role in determining a child’s academic outcome, but the school system needs to notice children who don’t necessarily acknowledge their gift. These children need guidance -- I believe it is the schools’ responsibility to provide it to them. I have been through a situation that makes me feel strongly about the subject. My example is an indisputable case in point.