Teacher Interview

For my teacher interview I decided to interview the teacher that I did my field experience project with, Mrs. Valarezo. Mrs. Valarezo is a second grade teacher t Charles David Wyche Elementary. She has been teaching for about nine years. We began the interview by discussing her career goals prior to her becoming a teacher. Her response was that she never really wanted to be a teacher. When she arrived here to America from El Salvador she wanted to work in an environment that would allow her to be with and near her children.

My first question for Mrs. Valarezo was, "What abilities and characteristics are needed to be a teacher? She provided great knowledge of some communication skills of which this career demands, and they are as follows: A projective voice, stable eye contact, understanding, willing to be co-cultured, assertive when necessary, and willing to listen. One other skill that Mrs. Valarezo advised of is patience. This is one that I actually knew of, but never actually valued its importance. She actually lectured me on this skill for a while but the main point was that everyone takes understanding, interpretation, and learning to their own levels. Therefore teaching isn't as easy to do as it is pronounced.

After she discussed with me the importance of patience in this field, I asked her a few questions on her thoughts on requirements and duties this job entailed. Her comeback was to be patient, understanding, flexible, and having an open mind. I didn't quite understand what she meant by flexibility but she explained that it is always better to stay in school and get higher degrees that way your availability is not so limited because of the different areas you can work. Also the more knowledge you have the more you are able to provide for your students.

Another question was of her own knowledge what are her duties and responsibilities as a teacher. Her response was to help students from one place to another, helping in any area that her students needed help in, not just subject matter. Another responsibility she takes upon herself is to expose students to what is in the real world.

The next question I asked Mrs. Valarezo was what did she like most about her job. Her response was that class is never the same as yesterday, it's never redundant. Sometimes it's a loud day, talkative, or goofy day, but when it's too quiet she suspects something odd.

The interview lasted for about 45 minutes, but I couldn't leave until I asked her my last question. The question was how would you advise someone coming into this career or preparing for this job? Her response was " You must be willing to learn as much as you are willing to teach, you must set boundaries, know how to manage and not control, be willing to be co-cultured and available, and last but not least be prepared to change or be the stepping stone to someone else's future.