Talking With Our Teachers
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Our continuing series of interviews with teachers
around the country. What challenges do they face? What advice do they have
for parents? How do they cope with behavioral problems and issues in the
classroom? How do they keep their information fresh and exciting?
Meet Kathy Doorn, of Grand Rapids Michigan, an elementary school special education teacher for the past thirteen years. She now teaches seventh grade. She works in a rural district in Michigan where she faces the challenge of transient students, parent apathy, and head lice that is a common and chronic problem, "trying to convince them to use common courtesy can be a challenge." Why did you become a teacher? What motivated you to pursue this profession? This is a tough question. I am not sure I have a good answer for it. I always had good teachers and loved school. All my experiences in school were positive ones, so as I looked for a professional goal...teaching seemed to be a natural thing for me. As far as special education goes, I had worked in programs and volunteered with special ed students...plus I had a role model of a special ed teacher in our high school...she was very good with the students and just so neat to be around. I wanted to be just like her. What are the challenges and issues you face everyday in the classroom? Boy...where to begin!!! I work in a rural district in Michigan. I face a lot of transient students..the type that move in and out quickly. I face a lot of parent apathy, plus parents that are uneducated and low social economic level. Head lice is a common problem and kids that have it chronically are some times out of school more than they are in. I face teaching social skills to kids who have poor role models..trying to convince them to use common courtesy can be a challenge. What behavioral issues do you face? I deal with everything. I have had some very violent students in the past, although these are an exception. I have had chairs thrown at me, tape dispensers..you name it. I have been called every name in the book...I usually don't have much problem with classroom control..believe it or not. Much of class control is in the teachers attitude. If you project confidence and you are fair and consistent in developing and enforcing rules then you don't have too many troubles generally....there are days when everything goes wrong..but they aren't very often! It helps if the school itself has consistently enforced policies and that you have supportive administrators. How do you keep the interest of your students? What do you do to develop lesson plans that really hold the attention of students? You have to know your students.....talk to them..find out what they like. You have to have a sense of humor!!! You have to be able to let go every so often!! I have never had a problem with this. Use all the resources you have and don't reinvent the wheel(so to speak) If someone else finds things that work..use them..adapt to your style.....most of all..laugh with your class! What have been some of the most joyful moments in your teaching career? Seeing a student who did not think they could read begin to read....and then seeing their parents who also never thought they would read....seeing a student walk for the first time....watching a student learn to talk and use words to communicate for the first time. Making friends and networking with fellow professionals..... Do you ever suffer from burn-out? If so, how do you cope with it? How do you get past the burn-out to continue on? Yes..I have hit burnout.....you have to make sure you have a life outside of teaching....hobbies, things to do just for you.... Taking a vacation is the best way to cure burnout...changing to a new class helps...talking to others..I recommend laughter as the best way to cure it! Do you deal with many family issues? If so, is this difficult? How do you cope with it? You do deal with a lot of family issues....it is difficult and you need to somehow distance yourself emotionally. You cope best by staying distant...you can not solve family issues for people..it is best to refer them to agencies or social workers that are better skilled at dealing with things like that. Teachers really need to prioritize and not try to do it all....learn to delegate and use the services at hand. What advice do you have for parents who want to help their children do better in school? SPEND TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN!!!! TURN OFF THE TV!!!! GET INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL!!! Need I say more? What is it like to deal with the parents of your students? How could parents make your job easier? I love working with parents.....it is so effective when parents and teachers work together! As far as making my job easier...see the above question! What changes have you seen in your profession in recent years? Kids are different.....there is much much more technology. I have yet to see schools really change to meet the needs of communities....many are still doing things the same old way. We have become better in special ed at identifying kids who need extra help and finding ways to get it for them. If you had to do it over, would you become a teacher again? YES!!!!!! Do you enjoy the subject you teach? How do stay interested in something you teach year after year? Yes I do.....I teach all subjects....so it is hard to get bored. I think you have to vary what you teach....take classes..learn more..stay involved! Are administrators difficult? What challenges do they present you? They can be difficult. It is worst when an administrator is apathetic....I have been lucky to have very enthusiastic administrators who are very visible. It is best when they are out and about the building and developing positive relationships with students. I helps decrease discipline problems. I love having the administrators visit my room..unless they are being disruptive when I am teaching! Tell us about an experience with a student when you thought, 'this is why I'm doing this'-- when you felt you were really making a difference. I think when one of my non verbal students talked to me for first time.....when a little girl read her first book.....the first thank you letter I got from a parent. The rewards of teaching are endless.....working with young people is truly rewarding and always adventurous. Usually you will find wonderful people to work with who are dedicated and flexible. Every day is something new....who wouldn't love it! Did you find it difficult securing a position? No....I graduated in December 1985 and was hired for a job by February 1986. It is usually easy to get jobs in special education as there tends to be a high burn-out rate and job turnover. What advice do you have for those now searching for jobs in teaching? I recommend doing a lot of substitute teaching. It is a great way to build a reputation in a school system plus it gives you a lot of practical experience. I also recommend doing your homework. Many schools have reports and websites and information out there. Be up on current issues, curriculum and data about a district....it will help you ask informed questions about policies and practices. I also recommend you be open minded, but don't take a job unless you are sure it is what you want....you don't want to have to get up every day and drag yourself in...not fair to you or the students! What is the funniest, most exciting and satisfying part of your job? Doing it every day.....how can I narrow it down!!! Books on Teaching: 101 Ways to Develop Student Self-Esteem and Responsibility: The Teacher As Coach by Jack Canfield and Frank Siccone. To order click here. 150 Ways to Increase Intrinsic Motivation in the Classroom by James P. Raffini. To order click here. An Apple for My Teacher: Twelve Authors Tell About Teachers Who Made the Difference by Louis Decimus Rubin. To order click here. Setting Limits in the Classroom: How to Move Beyond the Classroom Dance of Discipline by Robert J. MacKenzie. To order click here. Classroom Teacher's Survival Guide: Practical Strategies, Management Techniques and Reproducibles for New and Experienced Teachers by Ronald L. Partin. To order click here. 101 Ways to Put Pizazz Into Your Teaching by Bonnie Williamson. To order click here. 501 Tips for Teachers: Kid-Tested Ideas, Strategies and Inspirations by Robert D. Ramsey. To order click here.
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