Questions and Answers
The uber-cool Bethany of Bethany Actually took part in a round-robin interview a while back and asked for volunteers to be interviewed. I said I do it as a writing exercise as only about 5 people read this blog and might not want to participate in the round-robin-ness of it. So here it is.
1. You are a teacher of the gifted. How did you come to that career? (Did you start out teaching something else and wind up with gifted students, or did you always know that was your calling?)
I have been teaching for a long time. Next year will be my 20th year of teaching. EEK! I actually student taught at the school I am at now. I started out teaching third grade, moved to first, and then looped with my last first grade class. That was a wonderful teaching experience. I loved having the same students for two years. That first day of the second year was so easy and comfortable for everyone. After that, I had a choice to make. I couldn't stay in second grade because my class was the extra in that grade. I could go back to first or try another grade where there was an opening. Sadly, the woman who had run the gifted program for many years was ill and could no longer run the program the way it needed to be. When I approached my principal about it, he told me he was happy I asked because he thought I'd be great at it. Turns out it is my true calling. I love working with gifted kids. In my very small district I am the lone gifted ed teacher and once kids are identified I have them forever. Right now my students range in age from first to eleventh grade. I was never identified as gifted as a child but I get these kids. I understand their quirks and I easily switch gears or stay on a subject according to their interests. I have been blessed because I have very supportive principals who don't flinch when I say, "I've been thinking..."
I have been very blessed and cannot remember ever having a job I didn't like. In high school, I babysat, worked at a small clothing store, and was a life guard. None of these were terrible. In college, I was a desk assistant or a resident assistant and enjoyed those too. I have had some issues with teaching that have been tough. I don't always get along with my co-workers and once had a panic attack (it was after school) when one of them told me I was a self-centered b*tch. This came about because I wanted to do something with one of her students and went to the principal who supported me and she was angry. Some teachers don't like to let anyone else teach their students. In that case, I learned to think ahead about how a classroom teacher might react when I go to the principal and say, "I've been thinking..." I usually go ahead with the idea anyway but I try to consider how the classroom teacher will feel.
3. You're a talented artist who loves to dabble in many different media. Is there any type of art you have not yet tried, but would like to?
I would like to learn more about photography. I love to take photos but don't know about the technical aspects. I'd like to do that soon. Here are some of my favorite photos.
I currently have seven: right foot- dragonfly, right calf- sun, left foot- luna moth, left calf- moon, right hip- honeybee, lower back- sunflower, right forearm- butterfly. I definitely want more but I think a lot about new ink before I get it. It needs to mean something. I also have my nose pierced, an upper cartilage piercing, and stretched lobes. Funny story- my mom hates my piercings but loves my tattoos. Two summers ago, I trook her to get her first tat. They traced the dragonfly on my foot and now she has amatching tat on her ankle.
I'm not sure. You know that so often the book is sooooo much better than the movie could ever be. I LOVE The Time Traveler's Wife but have heard they've made (or will be making) the movie with an actor I hate. I won't go to see it because I dislike this actor so much. I think I might like to see The Red Tent made into a movie because it would bring the bible to life for those who don't know it.
Thanks to Bethany for the fun writing exercise. If anyone reads this and wants to be interviewed by me, just let me know.
Comments
1. This is only tangentially related to your first answer, but it popped into my head so I'll share it. ;-) When I was in 7th or 8th grade, one of my teachers said that the best teachers were usually 'C' students in school, because people who did really well in school usually don't understand how to teach people who are having trouble understanding something. I took offense at that, even at such a young age, because even then I knew that I was a teacher. I didn't want to be a teacher when I grew up, I just knew I was a teacher by nature. And I've always been able to read people well enough to figure out a way to teach them wherever they're at, despite my "giftedness" and 4.32 GPA and National Merit Scholarship. I bet it's the same thing with you and your calling to teach the gifted. Even if you aren't one, it's just a gift you have! I think it's awesome you found your niche and are so happy in it.
2. Drama with co-workers can really suck. I'm glad you've mostly had good jobs, though. I was an RA in college too! :-)
3. Me too! I have so much to learn, especially with my Nikon D40.
4. Ooh, you have a luna moth tattooed on your foot? Cool! Also, does the "Alma" by your butterfly (I assume that's your arm?) refer to a person or to the soul? Also, how awesome that your mom has a matching tattoo to one of yours! I always loved it, when I used to watch Miami Ink, when people came in together and got matching or complementary tattoos. Their stories were usually good.
5. I keep meaning to read The Red Tent; I've had so many people tell me that I'd like it. That's a bummer about the actor you can't stand in the story you love.
Thanks for playing! I enjoyed reading your answers and getting to know you better!