Assignment #1 - Group A, Reflection #1

I chose to interview Martha Washington, a high school history teacher. She is in her sixties, wears glasses, and perms her short hair so that she does not have to fuss with it every morning. Everyone who knows her is familiar with her trademark Birkenstock sandals. Her husband teaches music in the local elementary schools, and the two are a central part of their community. Martha teaches World History, U.S. History, and European History, and her classes consist of both regular education students and Advanced Placement (AP) students. On occasion, she will have her classes close their books early and walk a few blocks up the street to the town’s doughnut shop as a reward for their good work. It is clear that she has a wonderful relationship with her students and that she is passionate about teaching.

When I asked what made her want to become a teacher, the answer was easy: her love of history. She decided to become a teacher in the hopes of passing on her passion to students. Describing her first year teaching, Martha said that she will always remember hastily eating lunch in her car while rushing between two middle schools. When she began teaching in the high school she is at now, she had to move between three different classrooms every day. Today, she truly appreciates having her own room and never takes it for granted.

This is Martha’s twentieth year of teaching, and she still loves what she does. When I asked if she had noticed the profession change since she began teaching, she replied, “My AP students are still as motivated as ever, but I think the regular education children are not as prepared for high school. They don’t talk about their parents reading to them, [and] their work ethic seems to be declining as time goes on.” Currently, her biggest challenge is “grading AP essays in a timely manner,” and while her students are always respectful, she struggles with getting them to talk less. Always the history buff, she says that talking and lecturing about history is the easiest part of her job. When asked about the most enjoyable part of her job, she responded, “Working with my AP students. They are amazing. I feel so fortunate to be able to teach them history.” Martha’s students and coworkers, as well as the fact that she is constantly learning, keep her job interesting. She also added, “And, [the fact] that we are living history.”

While she admits that it’s a challenge, she tries to relate history to her students’ lives in order to get them engaged in the class. Martha encourages her students with praise, and regularly posts the students’ grades online so that they know how they are doing in class. Laughing, she added, “I have been known to bribe them with a walk to the doughnut shop.” One of her most memorable moments includes getting a maple bar (her favorite) from an AP student for writing a letter of recommendation for them when they applied to college. She also cherishes getting letters from seniors when they write letters of appreciation to their former teachers.

When asked her thoughts on all of the standards that students are required to meet, Martha responded, “I think they are important, but there is too much emphasis on them. I leave out so much history for my regular education students because the information is not a standard. What a shame it is.” She also added that “some students do not test well and it only adds to their anxiety to have standardized tests.” Martha stresses that it is important to be a positive influence in students’ lives because they encounter so many negative influences every day.

For new teachers, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance. Her advice includes, “Don’t give up. It will get better[…] Breathe.” Martha also says that it is important to share passions with students and cultivate friendships with other teachers. She stresses that teaching cannot be about money, adding, “You will make money later.” Wisely, Martha advises, “Don’t let teaching become your life.” She shares that as a teacher, “You have to learn that no one is going to pat you on the back and say ‘good job.’ The joy comes from knowing that you have made a difference.”

What struck me most about our interview was Martha’s description of her first few years as a new teacher. I had never thought about the possibility that I may have to teach at more than one school at the same time, or that I may not even have my own classroom and thus be forced to move between multiple rooms every day. I had always been under the impression that I would be able to enjoy a relaxed lunch in the sanctuary of my own classroom. However, this caveat does not discourage me from becoming a teacher. I feel that overcoming such difficult situations is part of the job and that it makes everything even more worthwhile in the end. The fact that Martha still loves teaching twenty years later encourages me even more.

I was disheartened to hear that students have become less and less prepared for high school in the past twenty years. This sad reality further motivates me to provide students with a strong foundation during their elementary school years, and to stress to parents the importance of reading to and with their children at an early age. Being in such a position to do so, and having the opportunity to help shape students and the rest of their lives, will provide me with the hope necessary to effect change. I look forward to growing with my students and learning from each other.

One of my biggest goals has always been to relate academic lessons to my students’ lives, no matter how difficult it may be. I also realize the importance of praising students, as well as frequently updating them on their performance in the class. I have always wanted to help my students reach, and hopefully exceed, standards, but I never want to place too much emphasis on such instruction. I will also strive to evenly distribute the importance of tests, homework, etc. in an effort to confront the anxiety of those who become nervous about tests.

I know the importance of having close relationships with other teachers and the administration, as well as with students. I had always planned on sharing my passions with my students, and Martha’s comments have reinforced my belief. The main reason I want to become a teacher is so that I can make a difference in students’ lives and be a positive influence for them. For some children, every day is a struggle, and I want to help them in that fight.