My Site 9th Grade
Menu
Mentor interview
Interview Question
(Mrs. McClellan) Response
1. How do you manage stress when all seems to fall apart?
Okay..Hello… You ready?... Okay, hello my name is Mrs. McClellan. I’m a deaf teacher, I’ve been working here for 20 yrs. First question as me, “How do you manage stress, s.t.r.e.s.s, when all seems to fall apart?” that’s a very good question. When I feel overwhelmed sometimes I get my aids to help me, or I go out let them (kids) run give me two minutes breathe, come back down, that’s how I manage my stress, or sometimes I take home my work to have all of my lessons planned ahead of time, give me less stress, k.
2.Do you ever feel like giving up on anything you started because it gets too hard and everyone expects too much out of you?
Number two, “Do I ever feel like giving up on anything you started because it gets too hard and everyone expects too much out of you?” Yes, sometimes I do. If I...if like for example, if I find to hard for my students, what do i do? I modify a lesson plan, modify, maybe...hands on activities, like things with their hands for math, or for pictures, for visual(inaudible)...I will show you this, that’s why I use all my background. That helps a lot. Balance,work, and graph. Especially for kids.
3. What are some of the things you never thought you could do? How did you surpass these goal/ unexpected goals?
And for number 3, “What are some of the things you never thought I could do? How did you surpass these goal/ unexpected goals?”. I never thought I can make all of the things work. Language, math, social studies, science with the same thing. For example, since we were focus on bugs, b.u.g.s, bugs, this we talk about book with the bugs. I have a book. Okay because we will guide them through summer school teaching to work through other bugs. The goal I have to work with the students who need express their words,numbers,counting numbers; like for example we are right now, we’re reviewing subtraction, addition, time, that they have- measurement. M-e-a-s-u-r-e-m-e-n-t for all- all the year. I try to apply to my current theme of bugs.
4. How did you know you wanted to be a teacher?
I knew I- for number four, I knew I, I know I would become a teacher. I knew when I was little. I’ve always helped my classmates. Always. I would- I’d be- I have been told I quite the helper. I help, help, help, help, and I became a teacher aide. Many tell me go back to school. I went back to school to get my M.A degree. I’ve been teaching for twenty years.
5. If you could restart your career would you do it any differently or change what you could’ve been?
“ If I could restart my career what would I do it differently change-?”.
Sometimes I wanna become a teacher aid. That’s it. It’s like easy. I don’t have to do homework or be responsible. It’s a lot of work for I.E.P. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends my day. Okay. Everything good so far?
6.How did attending college change your perspective about your dream career?
I went to a college at California State of University before transferring UCLA... for six years.
7.What is the best part of your work day?
The best part of work day, teamwork! Students joke. So, it’s good to see them learn and understand, that’s the best.
8. What is a highlight from your career?
My highlight is still learn and understand what is happening in class. Doesn’t matter math, body language
9.What makes you come to work every day?
Yes, I come to work everyday because I like to see the students to grow, and learn!
10. Has the work environment here changed since I started as an intern?
My work environment has changed? Yes. I become more aware of what children need. More visual aid, hand on activities.
11.How do effectively manage employees/students?
So, I work with the-we take turns with my aids. I with students- take turns.
12. What is the most difficult part of your day? How do you overcome it?
The difficult part of my day when the students don't behave. When they become silly, or hitting others. That was a challenge for me. I had to calm down, sometimes they need a break-go for a run.
13.What advice do you have to your teenage self about college and career?
If I give advice for teenagers like you, teenagers who are interning. If you want to become a teacher, getting your volunteer in teacher's aid. Get experience because I was a teacher’s aid for seven years, and I understand how the classroom works. But not only one classroom, I visit many, many schools. Visit many, many classrooms everywhere, so I understand better. That’s what I advise you, and talk with other people. Not just with one person, but open. Look around, and I hope you the best of luck.