Featured Interview with Mr. Perez, Educator

What do you think about the concept of Teacherlinx?

- I think it's an excellent concept. It builds on what is already out there and offers more. One can say that Teacherlinx is not new, because there are websites out there for teachers, which is true. But, they're not really user friendly. Second of all, it seems that Teacherlinx has more interactive criteria effects and it's a way for teachers to directly communicate with each other. I think that message boards are great and hopefully we can see chat-rooms where teachers can talk to each other on real time. I like it and it's great to be a part of that community.

What grade and subject do you teach? Why did you want to become a teacher?

- Currently I teach eighth grade Algebra I and Physical Science. The reason I got into teaching is because I've heard other people say, when asking the question, "Teacher wise, who do you remember as a one who has had an impact on their lives?" When I look back on my education when I was younger, I honestly couldn't tell you one teacher who made a difference in my life. So, it seemed interesting that I never had someone who made an impact on my life as a role model. I thought, if I were to do that myself, what kind of teacher would I want to have as a student? I said I would do this. I'm not here to be popular and not someone's favorite teacher. I'm here to do my job, which is teach. Which is to have them come away from this classroom and learn something. Learn something to help them in a positive way. Some kids aren't into Math or Science, but we have that in our lives. We experience it everyday. So even if you don't like it, you're going to have to deal with it. What I see as my task as a teacher is to teach them these things and show the students that they must deal with this. So learn.

What is your stance on education?

-Well, it's the key. Education happens everywhere. It's not just inside the classroom. It's outside. It happens at home, walking down the street, everywhere. You can't just categorize education into the subjects you teach at school. Education is being book smart and street smart.

Do you believe in merit pay? Why or why not?

- I think that if you do a good job, yes you should be rewarded. We give our students rewards for doing a job well done. Years ago, companies used to give out bonuses. I'm sure not everyone in the company got one. If you were a below average worker you wouldn't get stuff like that. As far as the teaching profession, I do see teachers who are here until six and seven o'clock at night. They're putting in time, effort, passion, and love. They don't see the financial rewards. Maybe they do get rewarded by seeing the students learn and grow their knowledge. But, what's wrong with also saying that you can earn a bonus. Wouldn't that motivate you to keep doing a good job over and over? So who doesn't like money? Yes or no? So I do believe in merit pay. Definitely.

What's the worst thing that has happened to you while teaching?

- As far as hearing people tell you that we're here to support you and actually getting the support. All these people tell you we're here for you and if you need help come to them. When you do need help, they're not there. That's definitely something we all relate to because unfortunately it happens more than once. I think it's a sad thing. When you have a strong faculty and administration relationship, things are run much better. You can tell which schools have that strong relationship and what schools don't by their overall performance and the appearance of the school itself.

What's the best thing that has happened to you while teaching?

- The best thing has been when I start a lesson and ask a question, and they don't know the answer. I end the lesson and they can summarize what they have just learned. Basically, give me the answer they didn't know before. That's the best thing. When I see the kids learn and get it. Go from confusion to knowledge is the greatest feeling in the world.

If you could go back in time and give advice to yourself about teaching, what would it be?

- I would say to really know what it is to be a teacher inside out. Know that it's not only presenting a lesson an that's it. There's so many other facets to it. Your not just a teacher, you're a counselor, a mediator, a ear, a listening ear, a psychologist. You're a business man because you have to keep tabs of supplies. It's so many things. Not just teaching. To go into teaching you need to understand that. It's not only one title, you have so many. Also, know what level you want to teach. The level you're best suited for. Some people enjoy high school, some people want to work with kids when young. Some people want to teach Science, English, or Math. Know what you want to get into and not so much what you're best at, but know what you're going to enjoy teaching. If you enjoy it you're going to do it well and you're going to reap the rewards of it. The kids will pick up on that and they'll see your motivation and you're going to be motivated as well. Not all of them. Remember you have twenty-five to thirty individuals. You need to learn how to work with each individual to get them motivated.

Public or Private school? Why?

- I believe you should add charter school. If I had my choice I would say private school because there's more structure. There's more control over what you can and can't do. Meaning, it's less politics. You're not dealing with government anymore. You're dealing with education. Where as in public schools and charter schools you have to deal with these government entities that are in charge of these institutions. Sometimes, what happens is that because of that you're not necessarily allowed to have control of the situation. That's not a good thing. If somebody else is controlling you from a distance then they're telling you what to do without them actually knowing what's going on here. That's not a good thing. So, my choice would be private school. Maybe it can change later. Maybe there will be public schools that will run on a private school structure.

Do you think that education in America is improving? Why or why not?

- I think it's improving in some places but it's also failing in others. To say in a broad spectrum I think that if we compare ourselves to other countries we're doing bad. We're not keeping up. You go to countries in Europe, you go to countries in Asia, South America, they value education because they know what it's like first hand to not have education and not have any form of support. In contrast, people who have education are well off. Many countries don't have public services. They don't have these agencies there to help you. It's either you sink or swim. Even with me going to other countries and see what's going on, kids look at school as a privilege not a right. I'm glad it's a right here, but kids should come in here thinking it's a privilege to be here. It could be way worse.

Teaching is................. learning and then teaching, and then learning. It's a cycle that never stops and that's the great thing about it.