1. What exactly do you do?
- What field is your job in?
Education - What is your job title?
History Teacher - Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for (size and general description of what type of organization it is)
Work for a small city district with approximately 3500 students. Students are considered 'at-risk.' Community is tight-knit and takes great pride in the successes of the students.
- How long have you been employed in this position?
2 years in this position - How many hours do you work a week on average?
40 or more - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
40 or more - Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
Teaching history to 9th graders. Making sure I keep up with current educational strategies, utilizing new and/or improved practices. Use technology in the classroom to generate further interest with the students. Hands-on activities, class debate and partner projects, class to class competitions, field trips are also a large part of the curriculum. Calling and/or visiting parents to make sure they are up to date with their students' progress.
- What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
43000 - What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
43000 - Please list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation, sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
sick leave (10 days) and personal leave (2 days); 401K; health insurance - Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
under
2. Work environment!
- Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Yes, I work with a team of history teachers on a daily basis. We are continuously comparing notes (what worked today, what didn't) and collaborating together for the overall success of our students. This is a wonderful part of the job, as my co-workers and I think of ourselves as a 'family' of educators.
- Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes - Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes - Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it
Classroom with limited outside visuals. I don't like the fact that I am cooped up everyday in such a building. I prefer a campus-style facility.
- Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
- 1 Income
- 2 Work Environment - co-workers
- 2 Work Environment - supervisors
- 3 Benefits
- 3 Hours
- 3 Level of responsibility
- 2 The actual "work" you do at your job
- 3 Job Title
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours?
- If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Do substitute teaching first to see if working with at-risk youth is the thing for you.
- What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social skills, organization skills, technical skills)
Lots of patience, understanding and love for the students. A positive attitude is probably the best thing to have in this teaching environment.
- Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes, a teaching credential with a goal of a Master's. - What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Check out the district you'd like to apply to first. Know about the location, the people and the community.
4. How did you get your J-O-B
- How did you find your current job? (e.g. newspaper, internet, referral, etc.)
Referral - What was the application process for your job? (e.g. submitted resume, paper application, electronic application, all, etc.)
Resume, on-line application, phone call, interview - Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail? (e.g., number of interviews, who you interviewed with, group interview, individual interview, etc.)
Yes. Basically, the interviewers asked questions about how I deal with at-risk students and typical scenarios in a classroom environment - how I would deal with such a situation. - If you can remember, what questions were you asked at your interview?
What are my strengths and my weaknesses. - Is this the job / field you planned to work in?
No - If your job is in a different field from your original plan how did you get here? Explain (Plan can be from high school/college/post college/personal plan)
I wanted to be a lawyer, but my plans changed!
5. Background: Are you qualified?
- Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
No. - Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain
Not really, I prepared myself. - Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain
Yes. I have worked with at-risk youth for my entire teaching career, so I was prepared. - If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare you for your job?
6. The Future and Beyond (FINAL SECTION)
- If someone were to observe you at work, what would he or she say is "fun" about your job?
The fact that I have fun when I am teaching. - What is (are) the most fulfilling aspect(s) and least fulfilling aspect(s) of your current employment? (e.g. fiscal, spiritual, type of work, hours, commute, compensation, etc.)
Most fulfilling is when I see a struggling student succeed and feel the joy of achieving that which he/she thought was not possible. The least fulfilling is my awful salary. I received only a $50/month raise for my Masters Degree. - Is your current employment part of your career plan? Why or why not?
No, I wish to move up in my career, not sideways. - What are your current career goals? (Can be broad or specific)
I wish to teach in a university setting, teaching prospective teachers the reality of education and what REALLY happens in the classroom and not just theory that is taught now. I wish to ultimately earn my Ph.D. - Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
It is fulfilling and has been a great spiritual journey.
7. A Day in the Life Of...
- 7 am - 8 am
Arrive at school, pick up mail, do last-minute photocopying for class, sign up students for computer lab. Go to class and get students started on our day. - 8 am - 9 am
First period - teach my students the various standards of learning for history using VENN diagrams, graphic organizers and teaching methods for multiple personalities. Today we are using the Cornell Notes to assist with notetaking strategies. - 9 am - 10 am
First period/Second period - Today we are focusing on Cornell Notes and highlighting of the standards, after which we will do a quick review and a white board activity (each student has a white board to write his/her answers down). - 10 am - 11 am
Second period/Third period - Computer lab to go on various websites (Rockingham is the best) to utilize the students knowledge by their completing on-line games and quizzes. - 11 am - 12 am
Third period/Lunch - Continuing at the computer lab and then going back to the classroom for a quick written quiz (10 questions) and an 'exit card' - (what did you learn today?) - 12 am - 1 pm
- 1 pm - 2 pm
Fourth period/students go home - - 2 pm - 3 pm
Meetings (staff development) on Marzano Strategies and test-taking skills; planning with team (pacing chart, where we plan to be by Christmas so that we may have enough time to teach all the material before the standardized tests). - 3 pm - 4 pm
Second period/Third period - Computer lab to go on various websites (Rockingham is the best) to utilize the students knowledge by their completing on-line games and quizzes. - 4 pm - 5 pm
Meetings and planning continue until 4:30. - 5 pm - 6 pm
Home - 6 pm - 7 pm
Home - 7 pm - 8 pm
Home and phone calls to parents. - 8 pm - 9 pm
Home and phone calls to parents. - 9 pm - 10 pm
Home - 10 pm - 11 pm
Home - 11 pm - 12 pm
Home