ISM- INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name:
Printed Name of Person
Interviewed:
Role of Individual:

Stephanie Nguyen

Period:

Nivea Robles

Place of Business:

_X_ Mentor ___ Other Professional #1

Lavace Stewart Elementary

Business Address:

330 Marina Bay Dr., Kemah, TX 77565

Phone Number:

281-284-4700

Date of Interview:

10/29/15

___Other Professional #2

Type of Interview: _X_ In Person ___ Telephone* ___Email*

*Documentation Required (Attach E-mail to Interview Verification Page)

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)

One the biggest fantasies in my role as a teacher is to think that you are only required to work during the
regular school hours and that all your summer months are off.
In order for teachers to be able to fulfill the demands of their job, we are required to do the following:

Actively participate in after school events

Be part of one or more school committees, attend after school meetings and inform your team about
what was discussed and report back any input or concerns about specific topics.
Adapt to new technologies and apply them in your classroom.
Read professional books during your free time.
Communicate with parents either by phone, email or one to one conferences. Accommodate
conferences either before, after school or during your planning time.
Attend ARD meetings (as needed), after school faculty meetings (once a month).
Either morning or after school duty (daily).

2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?

Hold a BSChE (Bachelor in Chemical Engineering), Completed Teacher Certification requirements at

UHCL along with 60 hours graduate college level courses in Multicultural Studies. Certified in Special
Education EC-12, Spanish EC-12, Gifted and Talented and Elementary Bilingual/ESL EC-8. I am
required to complete a 6 hour update in Gifted and Talented courses yearly and 30 hour of continuing
education workshops in order to keep my certifications.
3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.

7:30 a.m. Arrive to school

Revised Fall 2013

7:45 to 8:20 a.m. morning duty

8:30-9:15 Planning
9:30 10:15 a.m. GT class
10:30-11:15 a.m. GT class
11:15-12:00 Lunch
12:00-12:30 p.m. Prep time
12:30-1:15 p.m. GT class
1:30- 2:15 p.m GT class
2:15-3:10 p.m. Challenge class
3:30-4:30 or 5:00 p.m. Meetings/Prep time

4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
This my first year as an Advanced Academics Specialist but I feel pretty confident about staying in this
position for as long as the district needs me. As an employee in CCISD with the experience and
qualifications I have, I am guaranteed to have a job as a bilingual teacher as long as there is a need for it.

5. What is the typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
It depends on years of experience and education level. Salary schedules are public records.
http://ccisd.net/docs/default-source/human-resources-documents/2015-16-approved-teacher-salaryschedule.pdf?sfvrsn=0
The difference in salary between someone with a bachelors degree, masters degree or doctorate on a
regular teaching position is $1000. Also, bilingual teachers receive an extra stipend when providing
services to bilingual students.

6. What potential for growth is there in your field?

There are many potential areas for professional growth, the question is how far are you willing to go? It
depends on each individual, the farther you go on your professional studies or degrees, along with
experience, the more doors will open for you, but unlike many jobs, if you do not pursue higher
education, you limit your opportunities.
7. What is the most challenging part of your job? What is the easiest?
The most challenging part of my job is to be able to personalize the learning for each of my students.
There is nothing easy about teaching!
8. What made you decide that you wanted to become a teacher?
Initially, I thought it was the perfect job for a woman raising a family and as I learned the demands of
the job, I developed a passion for teaching I never thought I had. Eighteen years later, I am convinced
that what kept the passion alive in me was the need of bilingual teachers to close the communication gap
between our students, their parents and the community.
9. How does your teaching style change based on students (age, maturity, etc)?

Revised Fall 2013

With early elementary students (PK-2), I am very structured and methodical teacher. With upper
elementary students (3-5), I tend to be more lenient without being careless. No matter the age or
maturity level, I always establish a good rapport with all my students, it is imperative for me to get to
know them well not only as students but also as a person.
10. What part of your job do you find most enjoyable or interesting?
Watching the students grow academically, emotionally and socially.

Interview Summary
This interview was very helpful because it was extremely detailed and
provided a lot of information about why being a teacher can be challenging
yet rewarding when the end result is complete.

Revised Fall 2013

Interview Summary: Mentor

Theres a lot of work that goes into being a teacher behind the scenes. They have to prepare daily
for new lessons and activities. Teachers cant just show up to schoolthey also have to take
time over the summer to plan the next year.
Being a GT teacher means my mentor has to do 6 extra hours of training a year to maintain her
position. Shes also bilingual which raises her salary and importance of her position.
Because Mrs. Robles teaches GT students, she has many different classes through the course of
the day. She teaches GT students from every grade level at the elementary school.
The typical starting salary for a teacher is $50,000. My mentor also gets an extra bonus because
she is bilingual and uses this to help native Spanish speakers.
The salary of a teacher goes up by $1000 between a bachelors, masters, and PHD degree.
It also increases after every 4 years of teaching experience.
There are many opportunities to grow in the teaching field by earning higher degrees. You can
also earn higher positions or different teaching positions if you want to switch over.
The most challenging part of teaching is being able to adapt in order to connect to all of your
students. Every student is different, so my mentor needs to change her lessons in order to
accommodate everyone.
My mentor developed a passion for teaching through her kids. Because shes also a mother, she
probably has a special connection with many kids.
The most rewarding part of being a teacher, as all of my interviewers have said, is seeing the
students grow through learning and experience, and being there to help them.
For younger students, my mentor said that she is very methodical and structured. This is
similar to Ms. Mcgill because she bases her lower level classes on assignments.
Once the age level gets older (3rd grade and above), my mentor can be more lenient but not
careless. Its a balancing act, but these students tend to be more mature and capable of handling
the responsibility.
Watching students grow and develop with the help of teachers seems to be a big reason why
teachers choose to do what they do.

Revised Fall 2013

ISM- INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name:
Printed Name of Person
Interviewed:
Role of Individual:

Stephanie Nguyen

Period:

Lindsey Mcgill

Place of Business:

___Mentor _X_ Other Professional #1

Clear Springs High School

Business Address:

501 Palomino Lane, League City, TX

Phone Number:

832-638-7955

Date of Interview:

10/28/2015

___Other Professional #2

Type of Interview: _X_ In Person ___ Telephone* ___Email*

*Documentation Required (Attach E-mail to Interview Verification Page)

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)

Fantasies- thinking youre going to change a bunch of lives and theyre going to tell you about it
Reality- more often they give you the perception that they dont like you, and if you do change
someone or help someone they usually dont say anything. It can be a thankless job.
2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(educational level and requirements)
Bachelors degree, no further requirements to be a teacher. If you get a master or PHD the salary goes up,
then you have room for advancement. (AP or principal)

3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
(day-to-day activities)
Come in to my room, get everything ready, make sure copies are made, and make sure dates are changed. My
first period will always remind me every day if the date isnt changed. Trying to teach and keep people excited
about what I do. Keep people interested and keeping lesson applicable. Grading papers.

4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)
I feel very secure with what I teach. Debate will always be needed. To be a good teacher, you have to be able
to teach different things. I have English speech and debate certification and I could always get more. The future
I feel like it will stay important.

Revised Fall 2013

5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)
For Texas its different from a lot of states. The average starting salary is $40,000 a year. Florida starting is
only $30,000. Houston ISD starting pay is almost $60,000 because its dangerous.

6. What potential for growth is there in your field?

(growth potential)
None unless you get a masters degree. As a teacher none.

7. What is the most challenging part of your job? What is the easiest?
Easiest part is teaching because I love it. Going through the lessons. Hardest part is not connecting with
students. There are some that shut me out and thats the worst point.

8. What made you decide that you wanted to become a teacher?

My mom- she was a teacher. I was in business for a long time, I did not go to school to be a teacher. I decided I
wanted to be a teacher, because I worked at Hollister, and I worked with teenagers. They would tell me it would
be so cool if you were a teacher and I would help them with their homework.

9. How does your teaching style change based on students (age, maturity, etc)?
Much more laid back and communicative with juniors and seniors. More assignment driven with the younger
ones because they need more direction; they do much better following rules and steps. Juniors and seniors are
more mature enough to talk things through. Its more communication driven.

10. What part of your job do you find most enjoyable or interesting?
Coaching debate. I live to make you guys feel better and get better. That you could walk into any tournament
and win.

Interview Summary
This interview was helpful because I was able to see what its like for a
normal day of being a teacher, and I learned that many times teachers dont
get as much gratitude as they deserve.
Revised Fall 2013

ISM- INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name:
Printed Name of Person
Interviewed:
Role of Individual:

Stephanie Nguyen

Period:

Jonathan Witmer

Place of Business:

___Mentor ___ Other Professional #1

Clear Springs High School

Business Address:

501 Palomino Lane, League City, TX

Phone Number:

832-273-9375

Date of Interview:

10/28/2015

_X_Other Professional #2

Type of Interview: _X_ In Person ___ Telephone* ___Email*

*Documentation Required (Attach E-mail to Interview Verification Page)

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)

Fantasies- I thought that it would be a lot more stressful than it is. And that I would have
absolutely zero time to relax and recover but its not been as stressful as I thought. And Ive had
help from the other band directors so we distribute the work.
Reality- Only 20% of it is actually teaching, 80% is planning and administrative work and all the
other stuff that goes into running the band program.
2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
4 year college degree currently. I eventually want to get my masters and other things but I dont
know what yet. I have a doctored in beats.
3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
Emails, Paperwork, Planning, Meetings, teaching, and research. Have to research everything like
instruments, whats the best, whats the cost and budget, research music what sounds good what
other groups are playing, teaching techniques, ideas, how to teach, new concepts.
4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
I feel great about my position. I think the future of the field in music education is bright but not
necessarily in the concept of public education.

Revised Fall 2013

5. What is the typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
$40,000-70000 is typical depending on where you work. Band directors are a salary position so
you get paid for what you do not by the hour. Some are better than others.
6. What potential for growth is there in your field?
Breaking through boundaries of what we think we can do with music and what we can teach
kids. Raising their expectations to become better musicians. Music education just reaches more
kids and hopefully stresses the importance of arts as important to our education.
7. What is the most challenging part of your job? What is the easiest?
Most challenging part of my job is the things I dont know. The learning process and getting kids
to have success is the easiest and most rewarding.
8. What made you decide that you wanted to become a teacher?
The feeling I had when I had success as a student playing music with my friends. The unique
experiences that came along with that. Getting to travel, perform, in front of thousands of people,
getting standing ovations and wanting to share that with as many people as I could.
9. How does your teaching style change based on students (age, maturity, etc)?
You have to adjust your teaching to the student. Expectations dont change, but the delivery
changes.
10. What part of your job do you find most enjoyable or interesting?
I think the best part of my job is watching my students play music successfully and having fun
performing. Never underestimate the potential of your students.

Interview Summary
This interview was useful because I was able to see why teachers choose to
do what they do, and I learned more about how the job works on a daily
basis.
Revised Fall 2013

Interview Summary: Combined Professionals 1 & 2

Many teachers choose this job because they want to change students lives. Its the most
satisfying feeling when students come back and tell them about it, but most students dont give
their teachers as much credit as they should.
Teachers only have up to a bachelors degree, unless they want to become a principal.
Teachers usually have a calm day, depending on what they teach. Theres a lot more paperwork
and lesson planning than actual teaching involved.
Regardless of what they teach, (band or debate, etc.), all teachers are passionate about what they
teach and believe its important. Its something they enjoy doing, which is probably why they
chose to teach it.
The typical salary of a teacher is $40,000 starting off, but for fine arts its usually more. The
salary can grow depending on how long you have been teaching or your performance.
Both professionals love teaching and interacting with the students, but its disappointing when
theres no connection or the students dont try.
I also learned that the way teachers teach change based on their students. Witmer said that
expectations dont change, but the way teachers have to deliver the lesson does have to change.
Mcgill specified this by saying older students usually have enough maturity to have a
communication based lesson, while younger students are more assignment driven.
Being a teacher isnt as much work as it seems to bedepending on what you teach. Because I
interviewed a band director and debate couch, theres probably significantly less paperwork
because there arent as many physical assignments to grade. Its probably very different for an
AP English teacher grading hundreds of timed writes.
By being a teacher, its a great experience because you dont only get to do what you love. You
also get to share what you love with many students and see them have fun with it as well.
Witmer said in his interview that it was one of the most satisfying feelings to see his students
succeed after a long season of hard work and to see them having fun.
Also, sometimes students can surprise you and offer much more talent than you ever expected
out of them.

Revised Fall 2013