8th Grade Math: Hope Debowey
Happy Teacher Interview Thursday Everyone!
Today I have 8th grade math teacher Hope who is also known as mrs.deboweys_classroom. I absolutely love to see first year teachers share their journey through the teacher gram like Hope has done because I wish I would have started my account my first year. I think that connecting and seeing other teachers work is inspiring and truly helps you keep going on days when you are over it. Here is Hope’s interview:
1. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I thought I wanted to be was a veterinarian, as I love animals but the biology and science stuff made no sense to me.
2. Is there a moment that sticks out to you that you remember from school with a teacher you had growing up?
I remember my 6th grade year really well, as thats when I first went to school. I had been homeschooled until 6th grade. Mrs. Harkins welcomed me and made sure that I was ok every day .
3. How long have you been teaching, what state do you teach in, what do you teach, and what did it take for you to get there?
I currently teach 8th grade math in Illinois. I went to college in Murray State and got my teaching license there. I had to take a PRAXIS test and Kentucky had the highest score for passing so it was very hard. I had to take a PRAXIS test to get into the education program and then take another two tests to get my KY license. Then all I had to do was transfer my college credits and information to Illinois and I got my Illinois license. This is my first year teaching apart from doing a maternity position upon graduation in December of 2019.
4. What is your go-to tool you use in the classroom and why?
I use powerpoint everyday because I can show things on the board and take problems from the book and show them up on the board and write on it. I also use a wireless door bell for attention.
5. Is there anything you do to accommodate your students and how often do you find yourself using that accommodation?
I look at all their legal paperwork and find out what accommodations they need and provide them on a daily basis either with teaching, homework or tests/quizzes.
6.What inspired you to start a teachergram while you tackle your first year teaching?
I wanted to connect with more teachers apart from my personal life and personal instagram and I wanted a place that my students could follow me if they found me. I did not want them following my personal account and I did not want to make my personal account private so I put an age restriction on my personal and created a teachergram to connect with teachers and my students.
7. Any advice for a new teacher you wish you had known?
When I took the maternity leave position I learned that this teacher had planned, copied, and printed everything so it was easy for me to follow so this year as my first year I am doing the same and making binders for the first and second semesters will all my worksheets and lessons in them. So in the coming years it will be easier for me to edit if I need to, easier on a sub, and I do not have to make new documents.
8. What is your district's plan for going back to school in the fall?
Right now our school has a hybrid phase plan and will allow students both in the classroom and the option to stay at home if they feel they need to.
9. A lot of people have been saying they hope things start to change in education since this Pandemic, do you think anything will change from it?
I hope we go back to normal. I hope education changes so if someone is going to be gone for a long amount of time they will let teachers know so they can record the lesson and upload it so students do not miss out. I also hope that getting subs will change and they will allow teachers to pre-record their lessons when they know they will be gone so subs just have to watch the class and a day of teaching is not lost.
10. Last but not least, where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself still teaching in 10 years but I am taking it one day and week at a time.
Thanks for the interview Hope!
Happy Teaching :)