SEC-201-T2-Field Experience Interview
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Grand Canyon University *
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201
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Communications
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
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Uploaded by AdmiralScience13118
Brittany McGaughey
SEC-201-0500 Early Adolescent and Adolescence
1/20/2024
SEC-201-T2-Field Experience Interview 1 & 2
Instructor: Sharon Cournoyer
Interview Essay For this assignment, I had the opportunity to conduct interviews with two seasoned educators: Mrs. Janet Samples, a 12th-grade English teacher at Rains ISD High School, and Mrs. Marja Heinert, a Life Skills teacher catering to 9th-12th graders, also at Rains ISD High School. Boasting over a decade of teaching experience each, both teachers graciously shared their wealth
of insights and guidance. Throughout our discussions, the recurring themes of compassion and patience emerged as paramount dispositions for educators. Mrs. Samples emphasized the unpredictability of students' personal situations, stressing the crucial role of a teacher's compassion in understanding and supporting them. Mrs. Heinert highlighted the significance of allowing students the time they need to process information, underlining how patience facilitates academic success. Mrs. Samples said “A lot of times you do not know what a student is walking into your classroom with, what kind of baggage they are carrying with them, how their homelife is. Compassion is the greatest thing to have with your students.” Mrs. Heinert said, “A lot of times students need time to process what they are being taught or asked. Having the patience to allow them that time will allow the students to achieve what they need to achieve academically.” In their teaching practices, both educators actively integrate these dispositions by ensuring students feel seen and heard through daily personal acknowledgment, warm greetings, and providing additional time for assignments when necessary. Mrs. Samples exemplified this by accommodating a student who worked late into the night, while Mrs. Heinert underscored to general education teachers the importance of patience in various aspects, from understanding assignments to addressing behavioral challenges and supporting students in processing complex questions.
Mrs. Sample emphasizes her pivotal role in the moral development of her students by instilling the principle of "being the bigger person." Her teachings revolve around the idea that retaliating against wrongdoing is not always necessary. Instead, she advocates for empathy, asserting that it can lead to greater success in life compared to reacting with anger or judgment. Mrs. Sample frequently finds herself counseling students seeking advice on navigating challenging situations. This provides her with opportunities to impart valuable life lessons on choosing the higher path and making better decisions. She shared a poignant anecdote about a student arrested for an incident in her class who later sought her help for tutoring. Despite the initial setback, Mrs. Sample chose empathy over resentment, recognizing the student's difficult home life. She tutored
him, conveying the message that everyone deserves a chance to improve, emphasizing the importance of not judging individuals solely on one mistake.
Mrs. Heinert is a Life Skills teacher for special needs students. She teaches 18 different subjects for 9th grade-12
th
grade, with a different range of disabilities. With 16 students, 3 that are home-
bound students she teaches English 1-4, Algebra 1-2, Geometry, Math functions, Biology, etc. She also teaches occupational prep, which can be vocational-related or pre-vocational-related. Occupational prep helps her students strengthen their motor skills, which can include writing, using utensils or toaster, tying shoes, or how to prepare toasted buns at a fast-food restaurant. It depends on the child when it comes to pre-occupational prep or occupational prep, which is where the term “Life Skills” comes into her position. Cognitive, behavioral, and physical disabilities are identified through testing at school, they are tested every 3 years throughout their education, to see if there are any changes or differences. Parents can also request testing as well. Aside from parents being involved, at Rains ISD High School, there is a psychologist on staff, who is involved with the testing process. He/She will often have the parents answer a questionnaire at home but will also evaluate the student in different environments. There have been times when there was not a psychologist, but a diagnostician who did the testing, and they are more certified on the paperwork side of SPED.
In my prior role as a substitute teacher encompassing both general and special education classes at this high school, I gained valuable insights into the diverse needs and personalities of students.
The interviews conducted during this project have further reinforced the challenges of working with students with varying abilities. As an aspiring teacher, I recognize the importance of balancing understanding, adaptability, and compassion for students facing difficulties with the setting of ambitious standards that inspire them to reach higher. Drawing inspiration from Mrs. Samples' narratives and my own early adolescent experiences, practicing understanding, compassion, and empathy in my future classroom seems most essential. I have come to understand that a school with a competent educational board, starting with its faculty and teachers, can instill qualities such as patience and inclusivity in its students. It is crucial for a teacher to provide every student with an equal opportunity to learn and ensure that they have a safe environment to do so.
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