Career Day 2018
Summary
My career day - although late - was extremely beneficial and enjoyable for me. I was initially planning to shadow a photographer, but couldn't get a stable contact and ended up contacting a teacher at an elementary school, my aunt actually. She currently teaches fourth grade and was able to let me shadow her during a semi-regular day at her school. I was also able to walk into other classrooms such as the kindergarten room to see what different grade levels are like, what they learn, how they act, and what exactly they need. Since it's getting close to the end of the school year, the kids were very energetic and the class curriculum was pretty simple, especially to a tenth grader. It was very interesting to speak to them, and to hang out with them for a day. All of her students were so kind, funny, and open to getting to know and speak to me. I was also able to play some music for them, and they could guess which song I was playing. They were so pulled into whatever I showed them, and I love little kids so it was like a little haven of memories for me. I also saw one student who looked just like my sister when she was younger, which just brought so much nostalgia and so many memories. It was such a fulfilling experience. I don't know if my first choice would be a teacher, but if my dream careers never worked out, I could totally imagine myself becoming an elementary school teacher. I don't think I would want to do high grade levels because they would be more difficult to gain respect from and are more independent, and the content is harder. I also love the idea of always getting a new batch of kids, basically getting to enjoy kids at their most precious age and not having to watch them grow up, but cherishing their year with you. Of course, a part of me is dying to get out of school and live my life, not plant myself back in it, but at the same time I could totally see myself working in that environment.
Interview
Question 1: Why elementary school instead of another age group?
Answer: She said that she liked younger kids, and found that they were better to handle for her. She also feels it's more hands on and allows for more creativity for the content.
Question 2: To what extent do you find your work fulfilling and why?
Answer: She answered with a quick yes, and said that the best moment is when a child learns something new and a light bulb goes off and she gets to see it happen and assist in that process. She also said that she felt she could do a good job at teaching, and when she was little she had a bad teacher which made her think, "I can do this better." From there, it all unfolds to the career she has now.
Question 3: What are the most important rules/practices needed to be considered good at your job?
Answer: She said that classroom management is extremely important, and almost a make or break skill. It is the backbone of earning respect from students and building relationships with them, as well as keeping your classroom intact. You also need to have a lot of patience and have tricks up your sleeves to engage the students. Since they are so young, their attention span isn't too long and they need to have something that draws them in. You have to have that skill as a teacher to be able to take control and keep control of a classroom, and keep your students learning.
Question 4: How do you interact with others during your work day?
Answer: She answered that she is usually pretty social, and because she has been at the school a good amount of time, she has a lot of colleagues that are friends of hers. She also added that if and when you do become a new teacher at a school, you want to be involved and try to put yourself in situations where you can get to know other teachers. (i.e. don't lock yourself in your classroom) She said some teachers will stay in their classrooms all day, and can stay isolated which can make you lonely and your job less enjoyable. You need to put yourself out there to get connected with your coworkers.
Question 5: What advice do you have for me if I want to pursue this career?
Answer: She basically stated that I should stay in school, and keep pushing myself to learn, even as an adult. As you keep learning, you can understand things better and become a better teacher. She also said to keep shadowing and looking for opportunities to gain experience and information regarding that job path.
My career day - although late - was extremely beneficial and enjoyable for me. I was initially planning to shadow a photographer, but couldn't get a stable contact and ended up contacting a teacher at an elementary school, my aunt actually. She currently teaches fourth grade and was able to let me shadow her during a semi-regular day at her school. I was also able to walk into other classrooms such as the kindergarten room to see what different grade levels are like, what they learn, how they act, and what exactly they need. Since it's getting close to the end of the school year, the kids were very energetic and the class curriculum was pretty simple, especially to a tenth grader. It was very interesting to speak to them, and to hang out with them for a day. All of her students were so kind, funny, and open to getting to know and speak to me. I was also able to play some music for them, and they could guess which song I was playing. They were so pulled into whatever I showed them, and I love little kids so it was like a little haven of memories for me. I also saw one student who looked just like my sister when she was younger, which just brought so much nostalgia and so many memories. It was such a fulfilling experience. I don't know if my first choice would be a teacher, but if my dream careers never worked out, I could totally imagine myself becoming an elementary school teacher. I don't think I would want to do high grade levels because they would be more difficult to gain respect from and are more independent, and the content is harder. I also love the idea of always getting a new batch of kids, basically getting to enjoy kids at their most precious age and not having to watch them grow up, but cherishing their year with you. Of course, a part of me is dying to get out of school and live my life, not plant myself back in it, but at the same time I could totally see myself working in that environment.
Interview
Question 1: Why elementary school instead of another age group?
Answer: She said that she liked younger kids, and found that they were better to handle for her. She also feels it's more hands on and allows for more creativity for the content.
Question 2: To what extent do you find your work fulfilling and why?
Answer: She answered with a quick yes, and said that the best moment is when a child learns something new and a light bulb goes off and she gets to see it happen and assist in that process. She also said that she felt she could do a good job at teaching, and when she was little she had a bad teacher which made her think, "I can do this better." From there, it all unfolds to the career she has now.
Question 3: What are the most important rules/practices needed to be considered good at your job?
Answer: She said that classroom management is extremely important, and almost a make or break skill. It is the backbone of earning respect from students and building relationships with them, as well as keeping your classroom intact. You also need to have a lot of patience and have tricks up your sleeves to engage the students. Since they are so young, their attention span isn't too long and they need to have something that draws them in. You have to have that skill as a teacher to be able to take control and keep control of a classroom, and keep your students learning.
Question 4: How do you interact with others during your work day?
Answer: She answered that she is usually pretty social, and because she has been at the school a good amount of time, she has a lot of colleagues that are friends of hers. She also added that if and when you do become a new teacher at a school, you want to be involved and try to put yourself in situations where you can get to know other teachers. (i.e. don't lock yourself in your classroom) She said some teachers will stay in their classrooms all day, and can stay isolated which can make you lonely and your job less enjoyable. You need to put yourself out there to get connected with your coworkers.
Question 5: What advice do you have for me if I want to pursue this career?
Answer: She basically stated that I should stay in school, and keep pushing myself to learn, even as an adult. As you keep learning, you can understand things better and become a better teacher. She also said to keep shadowing and looking for opportunities to gain experience and information regarding that job path.