Interviews With Local Educators
Responses have been edited for clarity and general mechanics.
Amanda Newell
Amanda Newell is a Cal Poly alum, who graduated in 2017 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She is in her 3rd year as part of the Teach For America corps. While working as a first grade teacher in Los Angeles, she recently earned her master's degree in Urban Education and Literacy from Loyola Marymount University.
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Tell me briefly about your experience with Teach For America. What inspired you to join?
I knew I always wanted to be a teacher, it was just a matter of when--my mom, dad and grandparents were all teachers! My major at Cal Poly was Journalism and my minor was Women and Gender Studies, so my plan was to do PR for a few years to save up for getting my credential (which is pretty pricey). Then my best friend told me about Teach For America January of my senior year. It was the perfect combination of two of my biggest passions: education and social justice/equity. I felt like it was a perfect fit and a great opportunity to jump straight into teaching, while also tackling educational inequity. |
What age of students do you currently work with/have previously worked with? Do you feel called to teach a specific age of students?
I have been teaching first grade for the past three years, so my students are 6-7 years old. Originally, I wanted upper elementary/high school, so I was a little nervous when I got placed in early education. But honestly, now I can't see myself switching to anything else! I love this age; they are so curious about everything and question everything in their world. Plus, my job is basically teaching them how to read within a year. In first grade, they come in knowing their alphabet sounds and are expected to leave reading beginner chapter books. It's such an amazing transformation to see each year!
Have you worked in a multi-lingual classroom? If yes, what are some of the challenges and some of the rewards of working in a linguistically diverse classroom?
Yes! Around 90% of my students are bilingual and it is such a beautiful thing to see in the classroom, but I wish my school did more to develop this skill. While I feel like my school is culturally relevant for my students in terms of celebrating their culture and community, it does not do anything to develop their native language, which me and a few teachers have been pushing back on since last year. Last year, that was my master's thesis: the charter school network I work in needs to develop a dual-language program (which is completely research-backed and known to have many benefits) in order to best serve our students who come in to kindergarten and first grade as bilingual. This gift of two languages is not being built upon unfortunately, and students are losing their Spanish because of the charter school's push for "English only." I can go on and on about this.
Did you obtain your master's degree through Teach For America? If yes, what was your degree in? What inspired you to choose your degree? How was your experience working as a teacher while going to school?
I did get my master's last year at Loyola Marymount University through the Teach For America route :) It was 2 years of night class and definitely the hardest two years of my life. My degree was in Urban Education with a concentration in Literacy (for my first grade readers). Working as a teacher while going to school was the hardest thing I've ever done. My school hours are 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, so adding night class from 5-9:30pm was extremely challenging. I felt like I could give neither grad school nor my job 100%, and felt like I was splitting myself in two. This year has been a lot easier to say the least.
What kind of qualities or personality traits should a person have to join Teach for America?
In order to join Teach For America, a person should have a strong passion for educational inequity; on the toughest days where you've had 3 hours of sleep and are completely burnt out, that is what is going to get you through the week. It's like the light at the end of the tunnel. You know the "why" of the work you're doing and if you're passionate about it and your students, it will ground you and recenter you when you feel like giving up.
I have been teaching first grade for the past three years, so my students are 6-7 years old. Originally, I wanted upper elementary/high school, so I was a little nervous when I got placed in early education. But honestly, now I can't see myself switching to anything else! I love this age; they are so curious about everything and question everything in their world. Plus, my job is basically teaching them how to read within a year. In first grade, they come in knowing their alphabet sounds and are expected to leave reading beginner chapter books. It's such an amazing transformation to see each year!
Have you worked in a multi-lingual classroom? If yes, what are some of the challenges and some of the rewards of working in a linguistically diverse classroom?
Yes! Around 90% of my students are bilingual and it is such a beautiful thing to see in the classroom, but I wish my school did more to develop this skill. While I feel like my school is culturally relevant for my students in terms of celebrating their culture and community, it does not do anything to develop their native language, which me and a few teachers have been pushing back on since last year. Last year, that was my master's thesis: the charter school network I work in needs to develop a dual-language program (which is completely research-backed and known to have many benefits) in order to best serve our students who come in to kindergarten and first grade as bilingual. This gift of two languages is not being built upon unfortunately, and students are losing their Spanish because of the charter school's push for "English only." I can go on and on about this.
Did you obtain your master's degree through Teach For America? If yes, what was your degree in? What inspired you to choose your degree? How was your experience working as a teacher while going to school?
I did get my master's last year at Loyola Marymount University through the Teach For America route :) It was 2 years of night class and definitely the hardest two years of my life. My degree was in Urban Education with a concentration in Literacy (for my first grade readers). Working as a teacher while going to school was the hardest thing I've ever done. My school hours are 7:00 am to 4:30 pm, so adding night class from 5-9:30pm was extremely challenging. I felt like I could give neither grad school nor my job 100%, and felt like I was splitting myself in two. This year has been a lot easier to say the least.
What kind of qualities or personality traits should a person have to join Teach for America?
In order to join Teach For America, a person should have a strong passion for educational inequity; on the toughest days where you've had 3 hours of sleep and are completely burnt out, that is what is going to get you through the week. It's like the light at the end of the tunnel. You know the "why" of the work you're doing and if you're passionate about it and your students, it will ground you and recenter you when you feel like giving up.
Maira Araiza-Licea
Maira Araiza-Licea is an English Language Development and Spanish teacher at Judkins Middle School in Pismo Beach, California. She has extensive experience working with English learners from kindergarten through high school.
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Briefly tell me about yourself. What ages of students have you taught in the past? What age students do you currently work with?
I have worked in the education system since 2005. I started by working as a tutor for migrant students for the California Mini-Corp Program. This program gave me the ability to work with students in K-12. In addition I worked as their health practitioner during the summer when migrant students camped for a week with us in several camps around California (I have experience as a nurse assistant). I completed my student teaching in a dual-language school with 2nd grade students. My first teaching experience was as a 4th grade teacher. That position only lasted 6 months and then I was hired as an English Language Development (ELD) teacher at Judkins and I have been here since 2013. |
What courses do you teach? What inspired you to become an ELD teacher?
I currently teach Advisory, Beginners ELD, Intermediate ELD, Advanced ELD, Spanish I, co-teach Math 8, and an Academic Seminar class. I never knew I would end up being an ELD teacher, however, I love it! I can’t see myself teaching a different grade or subject. The EL’s really appreciate what you do for them because they need so much support.
What is your favorite part about working with middle school students?
I love that they are older and not so “needy” like the elementary students. They’re a lot more independent and I am able to have higher expectations because they are older. I also like how this is the age where they begin experimenting, and I am glad that I can be the one that talks to them and motivates them to make positive choices. I love encouraging them and talking to them about college, many of these students don’t hear these conversations at home.
I also love how these kids really know which teachers care and which don’t. If they know that you truly care about them, they will be so kind to you.
What are some of the challenges of working with middle school students?
The hormones, the up and down attitudes of middle schoolers ha! One day they’re happy, one day they’re not. You have to learn to let it go. Every day is a new day, and if you hold grudges you won’t survive a week. I’ve had students call me names, I’ve sent them out of my class, and the next day I see them and say, “Good morning,” to them as if nothing happened. Sometimes they will come back and apologize for their behavior. Most times they don’t. It’s okay, we move on and have great days.
What are some of your favorite teaching strategies or activities that are geared towards this age of learner?
Some of my favorite teaching strategies are partner work. These kids love to talk, so every quarter they get a new partner. They are always given opportunities to turn and talk before being expected to share aloud. They love doing things online, so I use Google Classroom and use Chromebooks to complete assignments. I love giving them options, not all kids want the technology. We do projects online with Google Slides and the kids get to present on our big, brand new flat screen TV.
Do you make frequent use of any technology in the courses that you teach?
Yes, everyday I use a laptop, document camera, projector, Chromebook, and TV to cast from my Chromebook to my television.
What are some of the characteristics/personality traits you think a person should have if they are interested in becoming an educator who works primarily with middle school students?
You have to be friendly, approachable, forgiving, empathetic, determined, persistent, and have some immaturity yourself. You have to be able to come down to their level sometimes and throw a picture of Fortnite or Drake on your presentations. Trust me, they love it!
Are you bilingual or do you find it necessary to be bilingual in order to work as an ELD educator?
I am bilingual in Spanish and English, however, this is no help when I have students from Vietnam or French Polynesia. It helps to know Spanish because the majority of my EL’s are Spanish speaking. It’s important to be knowledgeable of SDAIE strategies and implement them in your lessons in order to reach all students.
I currently teach Advisory, Beginners ELD, Intermediate ELD, Advanced ELD, Spanish I, co-teach Math 8, and an Academic Seminar class. I never knew I would end up being an ELD teacher, however, I love it! I can’t see myself teaching a different grade or subject. The EL’s really appreciate what you do for them because they need so much support.
What is your favorite part about working with middle school students?
I love that they are older and not so “needy” like the elementary students. They’re a lot more independent and I am able to have higher expectations because they are older. I also like how this is the age where they begin experimenting, and I am glad that I can be the one that talks to them and motivates them to make positive choices. I love encouraging them and talking to them about college, many of these students don’t hear these conversations at home.
I also love how these kids really know which teachers care and which don’t. If they know that you truly care about them, they will be so kind to you.
What are some of the challenges of working with middle school students?
The hormones, the up and down attitudes of middle schoolers ha! One day they’re happy, one day they’re not. You have to learn to let it go. Every day is a new day, and if you hold grudges you won’t survive a week. I’ve had students call me names, I’ve sent them out of my class, and the next day I see them and say, “Good morning,” to them as if nothing happened. Sometimes they will come back and apologize for their behavior. Most times they don’t. It’s okay, we move on and have great days.
What are some of your favorite teaching strategies or activities that are geared towards this age of learner?
Some of my favorite teaching strategies are partner work. These kids love to talk, so every quarter they get a new partner. They are always given opportunities to turn and talk before being expected to share aloud. They love doing things online, so I use Google Classroom and use Chromebooks to complete assignments. I love giving them options, not all kids want the technology. We do projects online with Google Slides and the kids get to present on our big, brand new flat screen TV.
Do you make frequent use of any technology in the courses that you teach?
Yes, everyday I use a laptop, document camera, projector, Chromebook, and TV to cast from my Chromebook to my television.
What are some of the characteristics/personality traits you think a person should have if they are interested in becoming an educator who works primarily with middle school students?
You have to be friendly, approachable, forgiving, empathetic, determined, persistent, and have some immaturity yourself. You have to be able to come down to their level sometimes and throw a picture of Fortnite or Drake on your presentations. Trust me, they love it!
Are you bilingual or do you find it necessary to be bilingual in order to work as an ELD educator?
I am bilingual in Spanish and English, however, this is no help when I have students from Vietnam or French Polynesia. It helps to know Spanish because the majority of my EL’s are Spanish speaking. It’s important to be knowledgeable of SDAIE strategies and implement them in your lessons in order to reach all students.