Job Shadow Narrative
On September 19 of 2016 on a Monday morning I arrived to my Job Shadow at El Diamante High School in Visalia, Ca. I entered the school 20 minutes before the bell rang, and walked into the office to get campus directions. Everyone was staring at me as I walked around like a lost puppy looking for the classroom. I then decided to ask one of the students for more directions, a senior girl was nice enough to walk me to directly to classroom 613, where Maestra Perez was waiting for me. I felt very nervous, excited, but mostly anxious for class to start.
As I opened the door and walked inside, she immediately stood up and welcomed me to her classroom. She was so sweet and well mannered, I felt a huge relief as she offered me a chair and I took a seat. She then asked how I was doing and questioned why I had to job shadow. I explained to her that it was part of our graduation requirements and it helps us gain more information about what we’d like to become in the future. I also mentioned that we were one of the few schools who require a job shadow and it was a great opportunity to be here and experience a bit of my future.
As she taught her class, I noticed that she had so much energy. I believe this is very important because the way you teach will reflect on the way your students learn. Each class was 45 minutes long, and she spent most of her first period teaching vocabulary. She was teaching a Spanish Speakers 1 class and surprisingly I didn’t even know most of the words myself, but I’m very motivated to learn and become fluent. After the first bell rang she walked me over to another Spanish teacher who was barely starting her career as a teacher. She was also very welcoming and had tons of energy. She had me walk around throughout the class to see what her students were working on. I took notes as I walked around and noticed that every student understood and followed directions immediately.
As the day continues, I become more thrilled to become a teacher. I love the language and the culture behind it. I’m very interested in wanting to learn more and being able to teach my knowledge to others. I definitely see myself teaching in the future and for the rest of my life. During lunch, Mrs. Perez offered to take me out to eat and bought me Japanese food. As we were eating she explained to me the differences between a bachelor's and a masters degree. She has her masters, which means she gets a higher pay.
Towards the end of the day, Mrs. Perez mentioned to me that it may be difficult at first to become a teacher, but nothing in life is given to you and you have to work hard for what you want. I had the opportunity to attend 3 different levels of Spanish to see the differences and similarities they each have towards one another and the way students are being taught. I really enjoyed being able to spend the entire day with all these talented teachers and really hope to have a classroom of my own in the future.
As I opened the door and walked inside, she immediately stood up and welcomed me to her classroom. She was so sweet and well mannered, I felt a huge relief as she offered me a chair and I took a seat. She then asked how I was doing and questioned why I had to job shadow. I explained to her that it was part of our graduation requirements and it helps us gain more information about what we’d like to become in the future. I also mentioned that we were one of the few schools who require a job shadow and it was a great opportunity to be here and experience a bit of my future.
As she taught her class, I noticed that she had so much energy. I believe this is very important because the way you teach will reflect on the way your students learn. Each class was 45 minutes long, and she spent most of her first period teaching vocabulary. She was teaching a Spanish Speakers 1 class and surprisingly I didn’t even know most of the words myself, but I’m very motivated to learn and become fluent. After the first bell rang she walked me over to another Spanish teacher who was barely starting her career as a teacher. She was also very welcoming and had tons of energy. She had me walk around throughout the class to see what her students were working on. I took notes as I walked around and noticed that every student understood and followed directions immediately.
As the day continues, I become more thrilled to become a teacher. I love the language and the culture behind it. I’m very interested in wanting to learn more and being able to teach my knowledge to others. I definitely see myself teaching in the future and for the rest of my life. During lunch, Mrs. Perez offered to take me out to eat and bought me Japanese food. As we were eating she explained to me the differences between a bachelor's and a masters degree. She has her masters, which means she gets a higher pay.
Towards the end of the day, Mrs. Perez mentioned to me that it may be difficult at first to become a teacher, but nothing in life is given to you and you have to work hard for what you want. I had the opportunity to attend 3 different levels of Spanish to see the differences and similarities they each have towards one another and the way students are being taught. I really enjoyed being able to spend the entire day with all these talented teachers and really hope to have a classroom of my own in the future.
Interview Questions
1. What training or education is required for this type of work?
- You need your bachelors and teaching credential. You can also go for your masters if you want a higher income.
- You get plenty of vacation, and your schedule is pretty flexible but if you want to do a good job as a teacher you would consider staying after school to help your students.
- Gave me some strategies, but you learn more as you become a teacher and do your job.
- A lot of teachers are retiring and move around a lot, so they hire often.
- I was born in Mexico so it's part of my culture, my Dad was also a teacher and taught math. But overall, as a teacher I try my best to motivate my students and knowing that they are making progress is what makes me happy as a teacher and that is why I do what I do.
- My careers is my life. I make it my life, it's what I do.
- Upgrading strategies, always think of ways to get students motivated.
- Good grades from my students. Being able to see their test scores and noticing that my students are improving.
- Discipline, although it is rare.
- More education which leads to a higher pay. Go for your Masters!