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Last question, are there any other comments you would like to share to close this interview?

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Last question, are there any other comments you would like to share to close this interview?

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She told me I was going to do great and I needed to be in education. Once I'm in the classroom later on she wants me to think about SpEd and she thinks I would be great at it.

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If you could choose another career field, would you?

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If you could choose another career field, would you?

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Well, not today but, two days ago she would have. In this "gig" she is currently in she knew it would be hard. Already being in the district and having the notoriety already from previous students, would be difficult, while her children are also students of the Mulvane USD 263. There are pressures but, she doesn't want to leave. In the Assistant Principal role she is never just Heidi in the community she is still, Mrs. Perkins. There are ugly things that come with the job, expelling, suspending students. Those days are extremely difficult and make her second guess what she is doing but, she loves the kids no matter what.

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What changes would you make to the educational system?

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What changes would you make to the educational system?

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First and foremost, funding. In the past 20 years the changes in schools has been due to funding. Not having the proper means to fund for nurses, paras, ect. and having to cut out classes and teachers, which there should be more options for electives, where there is none. Many teachers have lost their jobs because of the funding and wanting more public support from the community to help make a better school. Having the proper funds to get what we need is instrumental for what the kids need to have to get a proper education.

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How can I stand out during the application and interview process after I receive my teaching license?

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How can I stand out during the application and interview process after I receive my teaching license?

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Make sure you start early on your resume and putting your personal philosophy in there somewhere so we can better understand who you are as a teacher. Since I am a Para making sure I take each advantage I am offered and take it. Include all of my previous knowledge into my portfolio. Make sure you have these things which makes you thoughtful, reflective, and professional. Having these things as a first year teacher will help you stand out.

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What qualities do you seek in a new teacher?

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What qualities do you seek in a new teacher?

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They first off, look for someone who loves kids. Second, are you willing to learn? Third, how passionate are you about your content, because at the middle school level you are gravitating more towards content. How knowledgeable are you with the craft of teaching? Also, having an innate ability to love children how they come. Being able to be a team player since you will be teaming with other teachers everyday.

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It means treating others the way you want to be treated. You need to have respect for yourself and others while also being responsible. As a teacher is was always treating your students with those things. Being able to find your strengths and learning and basing it off of those. It's not always about "winning" but, how you handle yourself in certain situations. Did you lose with grace? Win with respect? Did you learn how to be a successful team player? Plus, also becoming involved and being able to become a part of a community.Also, do what you do best, period. Treat kids as if they were your own and treat others as if they were you friend. Your professionalism start with your students, your colleagues, then your students parents.

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She is in year three in her administrative position. Along with also being the school's Athletic Director. She has had her administrative degree since 2011.

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How long were you a teacher prior to becoming an administrator

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How long were you a teacher prior to becoming an administrator

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She's been in education for 17 years. She first began teaching at Smokey Valley High School in Lindsborg, Kansas after graduating from K-State then moved to Mulvane in 2000 and began teaching freshmen English for and Yearbook sponsor for six years then took over the senior English and sponsor for National Honor Society for ten years. All together she was in a classroom for 18 years and now 21 years as an educator.

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What are some challenges I will face as a new teacher?

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What are some challenges I will face as a new teacher?

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It's an overwhelming job in the sense that you have to plan for tomorrow, you have to live for today, and you have to recover from yesterday. It's a balancing act of grading and creating a balancing act you will never be caught up on, if you're doing it right. If you're doing it right you're juggling those three things at all times. Each grade level is completely different where at lower levels they can only teach their content with one shot where as upper levels teach the same subject 6 or 7 times and are allowed to perfect their content as the month and years go on. If each teacher could have two hours to plan it would make it easier but, most teachers don't get those options. There is a paper load inside of education that most people don't see from the outside. Also, having the workload along with being able to present your content for 7 hours it's a constant school year of balancing these things.

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What advice can you give me to better prepare me for the teaching profession?

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What advice can you give me to better prepare me for the teaching profession?

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First, thing off the bat she says, "You have to do do this job because you love kids." You also have to know and love the possibilities that the students can provide. You also need to see the "whole" child and to understand their backgrounds and where they are coming from. Not all students will love school and only come because it's a warm place and there is food to eat. You have to love what you're doing, what you're teaching but, you have to love the kids more. She quoted saying, "She could teach anywhere no matter who diverse the student body, you can't do you job if you don't like the kid. Also, loving them for who they are and who she thinks they could be." You have to make sure and understand all children are built to learn and how can she get the m to understand that mindset to get the best out of each and every student.

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Being able to know the students and being recognized for who you are. Which, could also be a downfall. She likes being able to "know" the kids and they know her. The part of the school day that she loves is seeing when a kid "gets it" and encouraging them. Coming from a senior English teacher to an assistant principal her power has shifted into something different coming from seniors to 6th-8th graders.