Who I Interviewed
For my community connection I interviewed a lady who lives in my neighborhood. Her name is Barbara Deacon. She is a teacher who used to travel to China, to teach students the English Language. She still tutors but has retired teaching in schools. Barb is the wife to hockey player and RCMP officer Doug Deacon. The two live on my street enjoying their retirement.
Why I Choose Her
I choose Barb not because I wanted to be a teacher but, because I like to help and that care of children. I was thinking of volunteering at the rec center maybe, to take help or take care of kids. For my six questions I asked her:
Why are you passionate about your job?
Because it has the potential to affect children’s lives and influence their futures, in a positive way.
What is the best part of your job?
Barb said that the best part was seeing the progress in the students overtime and how much they improve throughout the school year.
What obstacles have you faced to get you where you are today?
Trying to work and taking university courses concurrently and can be hard to balance studying and planning work every night.
What advice would you pass on to someone interested in what you are doing?
To become a teacher or someone that works with kids needs to have patience and needs the ability to stay calm. If you are impatient the kids will never learn anything.
Is, there any negative aspects to this job?
Barb was talking about how it is hard to listen to kids saying that they can’t do it or are dumb. That they don’t believe in themselves or their learning abilities.
Would you be open to further contact from Riverside students and if so, how can someone contact you?
Yes, at barbaradeacon@shaw.ca