Teacher Interview

I interviewed my old theater teacher, Robert Duvall, over the phone and asked him how he felt about being a teacher. I asked him what he loved most about teaching. He answered that it is “gratifying to see students learn and grow and succeed”. The best feeling is impacting a student’s life in a positive way. As a theater teacher, Mr. Duvall has a chance to see his students grow from uneasy ninth graders to mature seniors. He says that to help in that process is a privilege. His award is seeing his students succeed, whether it is in life, in theater, or in academia. Though Mr. Duvall is a teacher, he says he is constantly learning everyday. He says that even though he is the teacher, he learns from his students. Teachers don’t learn how to be teachers from books or classes, but through experience and that first year of teaching is crucial. I asked if a new teacher would know if they wanted to continue with this after the first year. He said that if summer break ends and you don’t feel excited to see your students and teach again, then you shouldn’t be a teacher. Winter, summer, spring breaks are periods where teachers can be refreshed and by the end feel ready to start again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWXwziQEa8w&feature=related

Reciting one of his favorite quotes, “Teaching will take up as much time as you give it”, Duvall reflected that balance was necessary. The balance between your home life, leisure time, and school life is essential. Too much stress, too little time spent with family or friends, or too much student interaction isn’t good for a teacher because it can wear them down. The first few years creates that balance. People don’t become teachers for money, but for the love of teaching, of the passing of knowledge and experience to a new generation. However, even teachers need support and the feeling of appreciation. Feeling valued and positive reinforcement from students, faculty, administration, or even family members really helps teachers continue to work everyday with a positive outlook. If teachers feel like they are unwanted, they don’t teach to their full potential.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcmMaGGQvX0

When I asked what was the most important piece of advice he would give to new teachers, he said to never take anything personally. He says that if students are noncompliant, disruptive, or disrespectful, you have to understand that it isn’t a personal attack on you as a teacher. Many times outbursts are due to a student’s home situation, personal life, or a stressful school environment. Students like to test boundaries in classrooms and test a teacher’s patience, knowledge, and understanding. Teachers have to learn how to adapt to their students because every student and every class is different. Sometimes classes are very engaged and active but sometimes they are reluctant and stubborn. Every student learns differently and it is up to you as a teacher to modify yourself and your curriculum to fit that student. Teachers have to be flexible with day-to-day activities. You may plan to learn or do something that day in class, but if something goes wrong or the students become disinterested it is up to the teacher to make the decision to change the activity or modify it. If you plan on teaching the Reign on Terror during the French Revolution but students are still confused about the ideology for the Revolution, it is up to you as a teacher to stop and go back to the previous days lesson. Though a schedule is important, learning is even more important. If students do not understand the basics it is impossible for them to comprehend difficult concepts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMdTBep3W9c&feature=related

-Goofy’s Teachers are People

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxeL9bdSu-A&feature=related

-Goofy’s How to Dance