+ Informational Interview Allison Horn

+ Andy Nelson Social Studies Teacher Experience: Seven years teaching Teaches AP Psychology, Comparative Government, and Honors/Academic versions of The History of Human Thought Currently works at a charter school in NC

+ Why Be A Teacher? “I have long had a desire to give to others” Schools often dehumanize students and cause them to become disconnected from themselves and the world around them, and he wanted to give students the opportunity to learn in a different environment and atmosphere Our current education system emphasizes memorization and regurgitation of facts and terms rather than encouraging individual thoughts or critical thinking- he would like to offer a different experience, again.

+ Benefits vs. Challenges Teachers can share new ideas and see the learning process unfold and connect students to the course material As a college counselor, Nelson can help students with college applications and enjoys hearing from students who keep in contact after they graduate high school There are many mundane and clerical aspects such as attendance and entering grades, and there is a wide distribution of learning styles and skill levels that can be difficult to manage Teachers can work hours per week and still feel behind

+ Being Effective as a Teacher Make connections with students- make personal connections, get to know and care for them as students, but also connect them with the course material itself Know when to “get out of the way”. Teachers are not always needed to teach, sometimes teachers can provide resources and allow learning to take place on its own. Step in with help, provide guidance along the way, answer questions and assist student, but do not determine what every student “needs” to know.

+ Essential Characteristics of a Teacher Have a love of learning, of course Have a thick skin- you can’t take things too personally Above all, have patience and humility You need to know who you are and what you stand for and teach out of that source- don’t be “fake” Do not try to measure your success as a teacher quantifiably, or else you will be disappointed

+ Some Final Advice… Teaching is difficult, frustrating, physically and emotionally draining, and you will be underpaid and underappreciated- however, it is the most rewarding job you can choose Persevere and trust that someday, whether it be tomorrow or a decade from now, you can and will impact someone’s life You will not regret choosing to be a teacher!