Early Childhood Education, Interview Example

Subject Information

The person providing the interview was found through a social media request.  Her name is Angela, and she lives and works in Burlingham, New York.  She agreed to a phone interview which took place on January 15^th, 2014, at 9:00 p.m.; the late timing was due to her dual careers as teacher and restaurant manager.  Angela owns and operates a restaurant with her husband, and she teaches 3^rd grade at a local elementary school.  The following is our conversation, edited only for clarity.

What is Your Current Role?

I have two. I still run the dining room in the restaurant but, as we’ve been in business a while and we only serve dinner, I’m free to take on teaching at the local school.  There’s no more to it than that; I’m only an average, 3^rd grade teacher in a country community.

How Long Have You Worked in the Field of Early Childhood Education?

Not long at all.  I only began teaching three years ago.  My entire life before was in the restaurant business.  It was seeing my own children grow up that prompted me to get involved in their school, and then it just sort of happened.  I realized I had the time and the desire, so I offered myself to the school.

What Educational Background Is Needed for Your Position?

The same as in any elementary school, I believe. I had my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education because that had been my ambition long ago.  I never went beyond this to get my Master’s, mainly because work, marriage, and children led me in a different direction.  Once I decided to pursue teaching here, I became licensed by the state, which was an easy process.  I was fortunate as well in that the school here had just lost several teachers to retirement and were actively recruiting.  At a parents’ night, I mentioned my degree to several teachers and they urged me to consider joining them, so everything just fell into place.

Can You Describe a Typical Day on the Job?

I’m at school by 8:00, although I try to be earlier; I’m not comfortable in starting class as soon as I arrive.  Most days are the same, certainly in terms of basic structure.  The morning hours are given to basic math concepts and reading and writing lessons, always in that order.  The kids have a snack in between.  After reading, we do social studies, and then there’s a lunch break for everyone of 30 minutes.  The few afternoon hours go to science projects or lessons, and then “special subject” time, which I like to use for teaching art and music basics.  When the teaching day is done, of course, I still have work I get to later, at home, like grading assignments and planning the next day’s or week’s lessons.  Also, some days are occupied by staff meetings, usually held during lunch or immediately after school.

What Kinds of Professional Development Are You Required to Complete?

You mean, aside from my own qualifications?  There are no other requirements there.  I am expected to monitor and note how I feel my kids are doing individually, and apart from their grades.

How Do You Get Parents Involved?

That’s difficult to answer.  On one level, it’s actually easy; parents here tend to respond to all requests for conferences, informal get-togethers at the school, etc.  They very much demonstrate a willingness to be a part of the school.  Less easy is getting them involved where I most need it: in the learning processes that occur at home.  I try to make parents understand that helping their children’s education goes beyond helping with homework.  The most interested kids are the ones, I think, whose parents encourage them to see everything, from family trips to dinners out, as a learning experience.  That’s the involvement I most want, and try to promote.

What Are the Most Important Traits for Someone Interested in an Early Childhood Education Career?

Patience.  A lot of patience, and not just with the children.  It’s important to keep an even frame of mind with parents who are too aggressive, and also frustrations with school administration issues.  I could go on, but the teaching is always about the children, and I think no single trait is more valuable than another.  What’s really needed is a kind of parental approach, combining interest, a desire to instruct and encourage, and an awareness of how each child is developing a unique personality and has a unique set of abilities.
If You Could Change One Thing about Your Job, What Would It Be?

I’m going to be very radical here and say it would be the mandatory math and science instruction.  More exactly, while I believe these should be taught, I also believe that even children at this age are revealing their basic potentials.  It bothers me to see any child struggling with a math problem; I want them to learn the logic behind the work, but I also see years ahead of harder struggle in a subject that will have no meaning for the child.  What I’m really saying is that teachers should be more empowered to dictate lesson plans, because we’re the ones seeing what the children are all about at this stage.

What Do You Like Most about Your Job?

That’s easy.  It’s the moment when learning in the classroom takes on a life of its own, and the kids begin to engage with each other over a question with no guidance from me.  There’s a real excitement you can feel; they’re finding their minds and creating ideas all on their own, no matter how elementary the level.

What Do You Know Now That You Wish You Had Known When You Started Your Career in Early Childhood Education?

Well, since my career is so new, I’d have to say that I should have realized more how draining it can be, and I mean apart from my other responsibilities.  It’s very much an interactive process if you’re committed to teaching well at all, and I had not thought of how this can be tiring.  It’s rewarding too, definitely, but I find myself exhausted by the end of the school day.