VOICES
Interviews Conducted
By:
Jenny Simpson,
Elisa Vilchis,
Elsa Rodriguez, Stacey Dalton,
Lee Roland
- There was a consensus among
students and community members that what they liked most were
elective classes. A close second was the good times shared with
friends. Another common theme was the memory of a favorite subject
or class; perhaps this was a class where they excelled as
well.
Among the teachers, answers varied. There was, however, an
underlying sense that being in school and around students is what
the teachers enjoy the most. To exemplify this common opinion, one
teacher cited that students had participated and excelled in class
that particular day; it was experiences such as these that made
teaching such a rewarding career.
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- The general opinion among
teachers regarding what they disliked about their school-related
experiences was that the administration seemed quite unsupportive
. The student and the community member majority felt that
pleasurable school experiences were disrupted, or limited by,
uncaring teachers or the animosity/ conflicts that existed within
the student population.
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- In response to what kind of
schools their family wanted for them, students cited that their
parents wanted them to succeed and be better prepared for their
future. In order to meet these expectations, schools should
therefore establish smaller class sizes, better safety, and
devoted teachers, who are dedicated to providing quality education
for all students. Students also agree that parents would prefer
more advanced programs within the curriculum.
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- In response to what teachers
want for them, students said that teachers want a strict
environment with rules, uniforms and "well-behaved" students.
Others said that teachers want schools where friendly
relationships are cultivated between students and teachers, and
where students can get individual help from such staff members.
Most, however, believe that teachers' wants are driven by their
caring attitudes toward students and their desire to see the
students succeed.
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- Parents and community members
had varying opinions regarding what kinds of schools teachers want
for students. Some agreed that teachers want safe schools, while
others said that teachers probably want schools with opportunities
to utilize new methods of teaching. They also agreed that teachers
would probably want to work with smaller class sizes and have more
technical support on hand for computer assistance.
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- The community member advice
for new teachers seemed to be in general agreement: all new
teachers need to motivate students, maintain attention in class,
and do enough to keep students in school. Those interviewed
discussed the importance of amicable and open parent-teacher
relations.
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- Teachers commented that they
thought parents and community members desired their children to
learn basic, practical skills. They cited that parents probably
wanted a strong emphasis on literacy and reading skills that will
adequately prepare them for life after high school.
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- Ironically, the majority of
teachers did not believe that their students wanted challenging
schools; rather, they believed students wanted schools that were
"fun" and "easy."
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- When asked to outline the
perfect school, students agreed that a more attractive school
setting, with no tagging, and more vegetation would be desirable.
Others disliked the dress code, and thought their lunch time
should be extended, and that class sizes should be smaller.
Teachers suggested that computers should be
available to ALL students, and that the student-to-teacher ratio
should be reduced. All teachers spoke about the ideal that
curriculum should be better designed to meet individual students'
needs. Community members also conceded that class sizes needed to
be reduced, but their prime objective in the "perfect school"
would be to increase contact between parents and teachers.
Overall, everyone believes that there should be more computers
available to students, and that class sizes need to decrease to
improve learning and increase student success rates.
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