Interview Project – Part 1
Shaye Todd
Interview Project: Part 1
Communication 1010-042
11/21/2011
Background Information
My Interviewee:
I'm planning to interview Tricia Smith. She works at Bell View Elementary School as a resource teacher. I will interview Tricia in her classroom after school because that was her request; it was easier for her. I am excited to be able to see her work area, and all the stuff the kids made. I chose to interview Tricia because my old roommate volunteers at the same school Tricia works at, and always talks about how nice she is.
I plan to ask Tricia a series of closed, and open questions. I am hoping that this will help the flow of the interview. If she elaborates further on the question, I will include that as well.
Career Research:
I began being interested in teaching as a career when I was little. It is something that I have always wanted to do. I then changed my mind quite a few times throughout my college education. I then had a desire to return to education, so I starting researching more about different levels of education.
The more I researched, the more elementary education seemed to fit in my future life goals. I have always loved seeing the light come on when a child grasps a concept, or learns something for the first time. When teaching children as young as elementary age, I will get to see that almost every day. In my interview I will ask a lot about the day to day life of a teacher, and the things she enjoys the most.
I learned from the Occupational Outlook Handbook that to be a teacher you must have a Bachelor’s degree. I also learned that in the next 7 years the projected rate of job growth is 13 percent. Even in the lowest 10% of teaching salary, they were estimated to earn $35,000. Now while this may not be very much to support a family on my own, with a duel income, we will be able to live comfortably enough.
Interview Schedule
Opening:
Hi Tricia! Thank you so much for being so willing to see me today. I have been so excited to interview you.
As I briefly told you over the phone, we have been assigned to interview someone who works in the field of our career interest. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes or so. Are you ready to begin?
Body:
Topic 1: Getting Started in Elementary Education
First, I’d like to find out how you got started in this field.
1. Why did you choose a career in Elementary Education? (Primary, Open)
-Why would you say that you made a good choice? (Secondary, Open)
2. How did you get started as a teacher? (Primary, Open)
-Would you choose the same path if you had to do it over again? (Secondary, open)
3. What schooling is required for being a resource teacher? (Primary, closed)
5. What types of training or skills did you have before becoming a resource teacher? (Primary, Open)
-- What resources have you used to develop these skills? (Secondary, Open)
Topic 2: A Typical Day
Now that I know how you got your start, I would like to talk about what a typical day is like for you.
1. What does a typical day consist of for you? (Primary, Open)
-What tasks are the most enjoyable? (Secondary, Closed)
-Which are the most frustrating for you and your students? (Secondary, Closed)
3. What is your day to day schedule like? (Primary, Open)
-How accommodating is your schedule to your personal life? (Secondary, Open)
-Are you allowed to take vacation time or days off when you choose? (Secondary, Open)
5. Is this career a good choice if one has a family? (Primary, Open)
-How is it accommodating to family life? (Secondary, Open)
Topic 3: Continuing Education
Most jobs require some form of continuing education. Lets talk about that next.
1. Are any continuing education coursed required in this career? (Primary, Closed)
- If yes, what types of courses are required? (Secondary, Open)
- Does the cost for these classes come out of pocket? (Secondary, Closed)
- If no, How do you keep up with new techniques in teaching? (Secondary, Open)
Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn
1. Are there subjects we haven’t discussed that you think I need to be aware of? (Primary, Open)
Closing
Well, that is all I have prepared to ask you. Thank you so much for sharing part of you day answering questions for me. You have been more than helpful with my assignment.
I thought it was really interesting that you talked so much about wanting to help your special ed students become vital and important parts of our society. You seem to have a bone deep love for these students, and a desire to make a difference in their lives. It means a lot to me that there are teachers out there like yourself.
Lastly, if you remember during our phone conversation I told you there would be an evaluation form to fill out? If you wouldn’t mind taking a few minutes I would appreciate it. Please fill it out completely, and honestly, whether it is good or bad.
Thank you so much! This has been wonderful and it was a pleasure to meet you. (Handshake) Good bye.
Shaye Todd
Interview Project: Part 1
Communication 1010-042
11/21/2011
Background Information
My Interviewee:
I'm planning to interview Tricia Smith. She works at Bell View Elementary School as a resource teacher. I will interview Tricia in her classroom after school because that was her request; it was easier for her. I am excited to be able to see her work area, and all the stuff the kids made. I chose to interview Tricia because my old roommate volunteers at the same school Tricia works at, and always talks about how nice she is.
I plan to ask Tricia a series of closed, and open questions. I am hoping that this will help the flow of the interview. If she elaborates further on the question, I will include that as well.
Career Research:
I began being interested in teaching as a career when I was little. It is something that I have always wanted to do. I then changed my mind quite a few times throughout my college education. I then had a desire to return to education, so I starting researching more about different levels of education.
The more I researched, the more elementary education seemed to fit in my future life goals. I have always loved seeing the light come on when a child grasps a concept, or learns something for the first time. When teaching children as young as elementary age, I will get to see that almost every day. In my interview I will ask a lot about the day to day life of a teacher, and the things she enjoys the most.
I learned from the Occupational Outlook Handbook that to be a teacher you must have a Bachelor’s degree. I also learned that in the next 7 years the projected rate of job growth is 13 percent. Even in the lowest 10% of teaching salary, they were estimated to earn $35,000. Now while this may not be very much to support a family on my own, with a duel income, we will be able to live comfortably enough.
Interview Schedule
Opening:
Hi Tricia! Thank you so much for being so willing to see me today. I have been so excited to interview you.
As I briefly told you over the phone, we have been assigned to interview someone who works in the field of our career interest. I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes or so. Are you ready to begin?
Body:
Topic 1: Getting Started in Elementary Education
First, I’d like to find out how you got started in this field.
1. Why did you choose a career in Elementary Education? (Primary, Open)
-Why would you say that you made a good choice? (Secondary, Open)
2. How did you get started as a teacher? (Primary, Open)
-Would you choose the same path if you had to do it over again? (Secondary, open)
3. What schooling is required for being a resource teacher? (Primary, closed)
5. What types of training or skills did you have before becoming a resource teacher? (Primary, Open)
-- What resources have you used to develop these skills? (Secondary, Open)
Topic 2: A Typical Day
Now that I know how you got your start, I would like to talk about what a typical day is like for you.
1. What does a typical day consist of for you? (Primary, Open)
-What tasks are the most enjoyable? (Secondary, Closed)
-Which are the most frustrating for you and your students? (Secondary, Closed)
3. What is your day to day schedule like? (Primary, Open)
-How accommodating is your schedule to your personal life? (Secondary, Open)
-Are you allowed to take vacation time or days off when you choose? (Secondary, Open)
5. Is this career a good choice if one has a family? (Primary, Open)
-How is it accommodating to family life? (Secondary, Open)
Topic 3: Continuing Education
Most jobs require some form of continuing education. Lets talk about that next.
1. Are any continuing education coursed required in this career? (Primary, Closed)
- If yes, what types of courses are required? (Secondary, Open)
- Does the cost for these classes come out of pocket? (Secondary, Closed)
- If no, How do you keep up with new techniques in teaching? (Secondary, Open)
Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn
1. Are there subjects we haven’t discussed that you think I need to be aware of? (Primary, Open)
Closing
Well, that is all I have prepared to ask you. Thank you so much for sharing part of you day answering questions for me. You have been more than helpful with my assignment.
I thought it was really interesting that you talked so much about wanting to help your special ed students become vital and important parts of our society. You seem to have a bone deep love for these students, and a desire to make a difference in their lives. It means a lot to me that there are teachers out there like yourself.
Lastly, if you remember during our phone conversation I told you there would be an evaluation form to fill out? If you wouldn’t mind taking a few minutes I would appreciate it. Please fill it out completely, and honestly, whether it is good or bad.
Thank you so much! This has been wonderful and it was a pleasure to meet you. (Handshake) Good bye.