Interviews pt.2

The questions that i asked were:

What promt your decision to be a teacher?
What was your journey like when you decided to become an educator?
What steps did you take?
Were there moments when you felt discouraged/unsupported on your journey to become a teacher? If so how did you overcome the discouragement?

Mr. Goewy's response:

I can't say that I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I intended to be a business major when I went to college. After my first economics class, I knew that it wouldn't supply the challenge I needed. i fell back on what I was always good at, mathematics. i also was young and idealistic so I decided teaching would be a way to incorporate my strength in math with my desire to help people. I discussed my desire with my adviser and then changed advisers to someone in my field. I was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and started with general education classes. I fulfilled all the requirements and got in a program so I could do my student teaching in Chicago even though I attended college in Iowa. I often felt discouraged during my student teaching at Kenwood Academy. i took on too much in terms of different classes, different levels and 2 co-operating teachers with diverse styles. I barely survived. As my undergraduate studies were ending, I took on the task of looking for a teaching position. It's hard when you start out because you have no experience. i wasn't able to secure a position for that fall , but I was offered a teaching post in the U.S. Peace Corps - it was a life-changing experience. I taught math in French in Rwanda for almost 3 years. I came back and it was quite an adjustment. I took a position at St. Martin de Porres. My colleagues especially Bob Predl (a fellow math teacher) helped me through the hard times and helped me to see teaching ( especially working with young people) was my calling. Having experienced teachers to talk was an asset I can't put a price on.it is not to say in my 20th year that things are easy, but I understand the process better and can deal with the highs and lows.


ClaireLacey♥