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Traisha Myers
Education 350
12..2013
Case Study Interviews
On September 25, I conducted a short interview with two of Mrs. Gentry’s 6th grade
students. I chose to interview Caden and Raven for very specific reasons: Caden is a bright
young man who is active in class but also active socially and Raven is a bright young African
American girl. I thought the dynamic between different gender and races would make for a
more well-rounded and diverse interview session. I was surprised that the two students
had so much in common; these two students proved that differences don’t equate to uncommonality.
I escorted the students out into the hall very casually and told them that I wanted to
ask them a few questions to help me get to know them personally as well as middle school
students in general. We sat down in the hall and I proceeded to ask the case study
questions chronologically. The most important question to me was, “What do you think of
school?” the answer I received, I expected but was also a little disheartened by. After I
asked the question Raven responded with, “I think it’s ok.” I asked her, “Why just ok?” and
she proceeded to tell me that while school is fun socially the academic part isn’t her
favorite thing. Caden had an interesting take on school; he responded with, “School is good
but you have to run around the whole school and it gets really tiring. This building’s not air
conditioned, after awhile it gets really sweaty…and right now I could take a nap.” I honestly
wanted to laugh because it was so typical of a middle school aged child to just want some
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air conditioning and sleep. Actually now that I think of it, that’s not just middle school,
that’s everyone.
When I asked what they liked about middle school, the general consensus was that
they enjoyed the social aspect; they enjoy seeing their friends and having time away from
their parents. If they could change anything about school, Caden would want to bring back
elementary nap time and Raven would prefer it if locker assignments were chosen by
students. When I asked whom the students favorite teachers were, each teacher had one
thing in common: fun. The students elaborated fully on how those particular teachers were
favorites because they were funny and made the classroom engaging.
When it came to favorite subjects, I found it very interesting that both students
favored math and science over language and arts. Caden described in detail that he loved
math because it was the subject he had always been good at, “I’ve never been a good
reader.” Raven prefers science because she loves to do experiments. I was surprised that
both students were so athletic. It was unfortunate to hear that language arts were both
students least favorite; it is a commonality I have noticed among other students as well.
English is so important and I feel as though, English educators really need to be adamant
about making lessons more engaging and creative for students.
When I posed the question of extracurricular activity, both students stated that they
enjoy time with friends and participating in their favorite sports. Caden is a huge football
nut and of course enjoys the occasional video game and hanging out with his friends. Raven
also enjoys time with friends and is an avid volleyball player. To these students their
friends and their families are of the upmost importance. I thought this was a really
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important thing to note because parents and community outreach are just as important as
student outreach.
My favorite reaction to a question was when I asked, “If you could change anything
in the world what would it be?” Caden responded, “I know this sounds corny, but I would
do world peace.” I was so happy that the response to such a heavy adult question was so
profound. Raven’s was equally grounding when she said she would change the amount of
violence in the world. We discredit our youth so much by thinking they are aware of so
little.
Finally their advice to me was not surprising but left me feeling validated because
their advice for a new teacher was the same thing I try to instill in myself: Fun. Caden
added that he was very adamant on two things: being strict and homework. He said, “Don’t
be the kind of teacher who is strict.” Raven followed with be one of the teachers who is nice
but also doesn’t let students walk all over them. Caden then described how homework isn’t
fair because students have so many other things going on and therefore, more time should
be allotted during school for homework activities. I humbly agree that sending children
home with worksheets and such for homework is ineffective; it leaves the students to fend
for themselves and I just am not fond of the, take this and figure it out method.
The biggest thing I learned from Raven and Caden is not to underestimate our
youth. Their capabilities and hopefulness is boundless. They see the wrong in the world,
they see unfairness and they find truth were sometimes adults cannot. They furthered my
passion for education by instilling the drive in me to want to foster their ideas and truths.
The connections I am making with these students means much more to me than how
good… or not good I am, at using semicolons. I don’t have to be a perfect English teacher; I
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just have to be a GOOD teacher and to me a good teacher is someone who makes
connections with students in away that builds their confidence and sends them out into the
world so that they can lead others; who knows they could possibly lead people to world
peace. At least that would be my hope for youth of the world.
I have added the audio interview for your entertainment:]