Name: Maria Gamez

Teacher Interview

1. What made you become a teacher?

I actually began my teaching career (while still in college) when I worked at a department

store called I. Magnin (a California based high fashion/luxury department store). I was an HR

Training assistant and helped the HR Manager with onboarding and training of new employees.

My role quickly evolved into me becoming the lead trainer for all new hires for the corporation. I

took on the role of historian of the company as well as technical leader for point of sale. It was

through this role that I realized I loved being in front of a group sharing important information so

I eventually sought out part time work that became full time) as Associate Faculty serving under

a seasoned professor who became my teaching mentor.

2.Most exciting aspects? Challenges?

The most exciting aspect for me now, is seeing the connection of the subject I am

teaching with the student. That is to say, when I see the students start to have things make sense

and they become excited about a particular topic.

3.How do you know you are successful?

This is sometimes tough to measure. I receive feedback via anonymous student surveys

at the end of the courses as well as evaluation from Division Chair reviews but I think I feel most

successful when I read assignments and can feel my student’s passion for what they are writing

and I can see the tangible result of my efforts through their words. I also feel successful when I

hear from former students from time to time. This is a reminder that they enjoyed my courses.

4.Professional development, sources of support?

 In terms of professional development, I am constantly researching the topics I teach so I

can remain relevant and continue to bridge the gap between subject and real-world for my

students. I am also currently pursuing my Ed.D. (doctoral) in higher education leadership with

the intent to serve as a mentor to future college instructors.

5.How do you define teaching?

I define teaching as an incredibly complex yet rewarding field. I take pride in what I do

and enjoy the careful preparation for each semester. One of my favorite aspects of teaching is

meeting new students each and every semester. My classes are so different every time, I love the

excitement and new dynamic that each semester brings.

6.What advice would you offer a future teacher?

My advice would be to prepare, prepare, prepare! Preparation is the biggest key to

success in this profession and you will fail your students if you are not prepared. The goal is to

recognize that you are there for the students so you must connect with them, make the topic

relevant and be knowledgeable in order to be successful. I highly recommend shadowing a

well-known professor and allow them to mentor you. Simply earning the teaching degree does

not make anyone ready for the classroom.

7. If you could go back to when you began to teach, what is something you would change or do

the same?

If I could go back in time, I would have started teaching sooner. My career path revealed

itself to me while I was pursuing my degree for a different purpose. It has been so rewarding, I

had no idea I would love it so much!

After answering the above questions​, write a "so what" paragraph​ (at least 5 sentences).

What will you do with the information you gleaned from interviewing a teacher?

For confidentiality, ​use a pseudonym for the teacher​. Include the grade/content area. See the

rubric for assignment specifics. ​You will share this in class on the due date​.

Submit this assignment on Canvas.

For my interview, I interviewed Carrie London who is an Art Professor, that teaches

college level student. I’ve decided to go for a professor, because in the future I would like to

become myself an Art History professor. I thought it would be different to see the perspective of

a college professor, so that's why I decided to go with that. I thought it would work since she is a

technically a classroom teacher. For me I always find it interesting why teachers become

teachers. In the case of London, she started working as an HR training assistant training new

employees. Soon after she realized that she had enjoyed training, and sharing information in

front of a group. I imagine it must be amazing when that light bulb goes on, and it hits you what

the purpose of your life will be. For London it was the joy she would get from teaching in front

of a crowd, and for me it was it was the influence of my past teachers. I want to be able to pass

on that inspiration to the next generation. I want to make a change. I think that being a teacher

isn’t an easy job, and I believe that you really must be passionate about teaching. I find this

question interesting, because the reason why people began teachers will always be different. I

think for many teachers the “ah-ha” moment are the most exciting aspect of their jobs. I think it’s

exciting, because it shows that the students are learning. They are excited about the material, it

begins to make sense and they start to make connections. When I teach, I want to make sure
everyone gets it. I know it will be hard to pass on the information to some students, but I believe

it is worth it when they began to understand. What I took from this answer is that, when I am

teaching I will have to be patient, but at the end everything will be worth it. If you’re excited,

they're excited.Like London said, it is hard to measure success. You can only take what others

have to say about your teaching. I think an important part of growing as an educator is that you

have to constantly change your methods. If something is not working, you take the criticism and

changed it to make it work for the students. London also talked about measuring her success by

reading the assignment that her students turn in. She knows she has been successful when she

can feel the student’s passion through their writings, and their understanding of the topics. She

feels like all her efforts were paid off. This question showed me that success can’t be measured.

There isn’t a scale and there isn’t a prize at the end. You get rewarded by the students success. If

there are no students, who do you know if you were successful? Professional development is

important inorder to stay relevant. Studies are always changing, and there is always new

information coming out. I think it is important that as an educator you are constantly changing

your techniques. Old-fashioned might work, but in today’s world it is all digital. School started

incorporating technology and it is important for teachers to know how to apply it to their

classrooms. London also talked about pursuing her Ed.D, and hoping to serve as a mentor for

future college instructors. Professional Development helps instructors better themselves. It gives

them the freedom to change what isn’t working. In the future I want to further my education, and

would like to receive a doctoral degree someday. I want to always bring new ideas to the

classroom, and try to change it up so that I don’t get bored. London, advice for teachers is to

prepare. I don’t know much about teaching, but something I will take from this interview is to
prepare as much as I can. I want to make sure that I am well trained in order to give the best

education I can give. Every teacher I’ve spoken to has said how rewarding their job is, I am also

hoping that I will find as much satisfaction as they do.