Eye-Opening
Organization Background - High Tech Elementary is among one of the many schools in the High Tech village. The school is built on the same revolutionary principle as the other High Tech schools, and strives to engage it’s students through engaging projects, as well as create a safe environment. It is the newest school to the village and teaches children from kindergarten to 5th grade. Project - Isaac’s project entailed creating a in-depth geography and videography curriculum to teach to a 5th grade class. Isaac also helped in daily tasks as an assistant to the teacher in the classroom. For one part of his project he taught the kids about various areas around the world, and basic geography. For the other part of his project, Isaac had the students create and edit a news report. Personal Experience and Takeaways - Isaac felt extremely supported and felt that he had creative freedom during his internship. He felt that the faculty at High Tech Elementary gave him advice where he needed it and were supportive of his decisions regarding his project. His internship experience was fulfilling and he felt that working with a 5th grade class was a unique experience. |
Mentor Interview with Mrs. Cady
- Transcription notes (Link)
Isaac Rivera: What inspired you to pursue teaching?
Cady Staff: That point was when I got my undergraduate degree and I went into the teacher education program which is now education studies and UCSD. I was working with a woman named Aurora who gave me the job setting up high school tutors. And it was conversations with her that I really got interested in working in education. She was also very politically motivated and a child advocate so I thought about doing child advocacy law and I went to USD to interview with someone is their paralegal program. And I told them what I wanted to do and she said no, you actually don’t want to be a lawyer you want to be a teacher. Which was helpful because I think she was right. Because I have friends who are lawyers and they don’t do what I would like to do, they don’t interact with kids very much... It seems very tedious in my opinion so I think it would’ve been a very hard job for me. So that woman, who ever she was I don’t know, I think she nailed it for me and sent me on the right course then I was sure that I wanted to be a teacher. I feel whoever that woman was she knew, because she worked in law. Yeah, the one on one impact you have with kids, there's nothing like it.
IR: What do you like most about teaching? 17:00
CS:The most is working with the kids, for sure. I love planning projects and experiences, but what I really love the most is the one on one, like the relationships you build. Because I feel like in the whole big setting there's lot of moments that are really frustrating because it's really hard to get 26 people doing the same thing; being excited about it and interested. But even though student led conferences are exhausting it's the meetings you have with the family and the kid where you feel like you are making a positive impact in their life, you are making them feel more confident about things. And yes, sometimes it's like 'no, I am not doing a good job for you' those moment are important too for growing. But I think my very favorite part is when you feel like you really help shine a light on a strength a student had that maybe they didn't recognize in themselves before you helped build their confidence in that area.
IR: So help students unveil themselves?
CS: Yeah, and I never put anything into a kid that wasn't there, but I do feel like we help them recognize their bright spots. And especially for kids where their situation isn't helping them find a bright spot or they're having tough time, that feels really meaningful. Because I was really lucky growing up and had very caring and loving parents and opportunities and people telling me I was good at things, so it's fun to get to be that for other kids.
IR: How do you define success in general & in teaching?
CS: I feel successful if my students feel successful, and if my students feel that they can address the problems of the world and not feel defeated by them and go forth and do their best. I think that success (in teaching) comes in helping my students find purpose that makes their life feel meaningful and worthwhile and they are passionate about it then that's my success too and that's what I'm looking for. And there are days I don't feel that but I think that there are more days that I do feel like that. I guess my success as a teacher would be helping my students find a sense of purpose and success for themselves.
IR: What should someone considering teaching?
CS: I guess keep in mind you're never going to feel like you are going to know how to do it, from my perspective you are always going to be learning. It's never going to be a professional where you feel like, 'Nailed it! Got it! I got this down.' You can't repeat things ever because all the kids are different, it's never going to be comfortable or easy but it's always going to be challenging and fun and wacky. I would say that to be comfortable with the struggle and never to lose your sense of humor, which I lose on a daily basis at times *laughs*. If I lose that completely I have to get out of it so it's like you still have to be able to laugh about. You have to realize they are kids and love your kids, like find things you love about every kid you teach because then it makes it worthwhile especially the challenging ones who want to hide what's lovable about them.