This past week, I had the opportunity to interview three students here at PHS: Daniela, Sahara, and Bella. I asked them if they were to swap places with a teacher for a day, who would it be, and why. Here is what they answered.
(I asked the students the following questions, and here is what they answered with)
If you were to swap places with a teacher for a day, who would it be? Why?
Daniela: “If I could swap places with any teacher for a day, I would have to pick Mr. Weisenfeld because he is a very chill teacher, gets along with most students, and is very good at teaching.”
Sahara: “If I were to swap places with a teacher for a day, it would be Mr. Hockaday because I like the subject he teaches and because he also gets to sit in a chair.”
Bella: “It would be Ms. McCoy because I love early childhood education and am passionate about it, so it would be fun to teach this subject.”
Do you think you would have anything in common with that teacher?
Daniela: “I feel like we both understand students, and we treat everyone equally.”
Sahara: “Something Mr. Hockaday and I may have in common is that we both like journalism.”
Bella: “Our Passion for kids and teaching is also reflected in our calm and chilled nature.”
What would be the biggest challenge if you swapped with your chosen teacher? Why?
Daniela: “It would be getting students to do their work because some students don’t do what they are asked to and instead sit on their phones.”
Sahara: “The biggest challenge would be editing all of the students’ work because it is a lot of work, and I can barely handle my work in class.”
Bella: “I would say I prefer working with high school students to 2nd graders because I want to make sure the students actually enjoy and participate in the material we are going over.”
How would students react to having you as their teacher for the day? Why?
Daniela: “I hope the students like me and are excited to have a chill teacher because it would create a positive environment and help time move very fast.”
Sahara: “I think students would be concerned because they would wonder what happened to Mr. Hockaday. Not only that, but I also think they would be kind of excited to have a student as their teacher for the day.”
Bella: “I think students would be a little confused about what is happening, but I would also hope they would be somewhat excited to see what I would have planned for them.”
What is one thing you would try to learn from being in that teacher’s position for the day?
Daniela: “I would try to learn to be patient and understanding if students are behind on work so those students don’t feel pressured and left alone, which may make them feel as if no one cares about what they need help with.”
Sahara: “One thing I would try to learn is to become a better writer because it’s something I would like to improve in, for example, learning to write to the point where I feel like it doesn’t need many corrections.”
Bella: “I would try to learn how to help the students understand the material and ensure they actually enjoy what we’re doing/learning. I would also try to learn how to support students’ needs and meet them where they are.”
