Job Shadow Interview for Raquel M.
How did you find this job?
When Marquez was working as a hotel maintenance clerk during her high school career, she met one of the leaders of the Special Education program in the Tulare County. That woman told her all about her job and she talked to her about the program. Marquez was immediately interested and decided that career path was for her. She then attended Porterville College and later transferred to Fresno Pacific University.
What part of the job do you find most rewarding?
“When I teach kids something new and they master that task”,Marquez stated proudly. She says her biggest reward is to watch her students succeed and move on to higher level classes.
Do you take work home?
Marquez brags that she never has to take work home. She says that her work is only Monday through Friday and not during the summer and other holidays. She almost never has to grade work from her students and when she does they are fairly easy and quick to grade.
Besides your vocation why do you like this job?
Marquez stated that she loves her jobbecause it pays well, about $15 per hour and she has all summer and holidays off to dedicated to her two kids and her husband.
What training or education is required for this job?
For this job you need your high school diploma and of course your general education. She said that for this career you don’t really need a bachelor’s degree but it in the long run it is better to have one. For example if the school was trying to make a cut then the first person to be laid off would be those that just have their Associates Degree. Therefore a good idea for education in this field is a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Child Development.
How do you see jobs in this field changing?
“In the past ten years this field has grown, schools are constantly hiring new Special Education teachers.” Unfortunately, the number of children with special needs is growing. More children are born with Down syndrome, and several other disabilities. Teachers are also being hired because many of the teachers are retiring now. Teachers in this field are in high demand.
If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same career path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
Marquez said, “Yes Kids make me happy, it is very rewarding for me to see them have fun and succeed in their tasks as well as learning different things”. “I wouldn’t change my job or my position for the world”, she said proudly. She stated that she loves being a middle school special Ed. teacher because it is two years with the same students but she is refreshed with new students every year or two.
What problems do you see working in this field?
“Some problems I have faced in this career path have been sad experiences where I have seen children come to class with bruises when parents abuse them at home. I have had heart breaking experiences were I meet kids that are deteriorating and will die soon. Another problem that we face in this field is that many times we try hard to get a student through and summer comes and all of our progress is gone
because parents at home do not demonstrate support. It can become very frustrating to try our best and the parents aren’t helping us at home.” Marquez said quietly.
If your work were suddenly eliminated what kinds of work do you feel prepared to try?
Marquez says that she would open a day care. She says she would never work in general Ed. “Kids in General Ed disrespect the teachers and are full of foul language and I wouldn’t be able to take that.” She believes that working in a day care center would be more similar to the sweet kids she is used to.
What Kinds of experience, paid or unpaid would you encourage for anybody pursuing a career in the field?
Marquez states that to those who want to become a teacher in this field should volunteer or try out a job like the one she has for at least a week. If that person likes working in that field and feels good about working there, they should continue. She went on to tell me an experience she had. One of her friends told her she was interested in a job similar to hers, working with kids with disabilities and
special needs. Marquez took her as a volunteer to her own classroom just one day. Her friend completely disliked the job. Of course, Marquez did not take it offensive that her friend didn’t see herself working like her because not everyone is meant for that job. Marquez was actually happy that her friend found out that she wasn’t right for that job before she started working there. Marquez was glad she experienced that job beforehand because that way she would not be miserable in her work place and she would not make the kids miserable as well.
When Marquez was working as a hotel maintenance clerk during her high school career, she met one of the leaders of the Special Education program in the Tulare County. That woman told her all about her job and she talked to her about the program. Marquez was immediately interested and decided that career path was for her. She then attended Porterville College and later transferred to Fresno Pacific University.
What part of the job do you find most rewarding?
“When I teach kids something new and they master that task”,Marquez stated proudly. She says her biggest reward is to watch her students succeed and move on to higher level classes.
Do you take work home?
Marquez brags that she never has to take work home. She says that her work is only Monday through Friday and not during the summer and other holidays. She almost never has to grade work from her students and when she does they are fairly easy and quick to grade.
Besides your vocation why do you like this job?
Marquez stated that she loves her jobbecause it pays well, about $15 per hour and she has all summer and holidays off to dedicated to her two kids and her husband.
What training or education is required for this job?
For this job you need your high school diploma and of course your general education. She said that for this career you don’t really need a bachelor’s degree but it in the long run it is better to have one. For example if the school was trying to make a cut then the first person to be laid off would be those that just have their Associates Degree. Therefore a good idea for education in this field is a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Child Development.
How do you see jobs in this field changing?
“In the past ten years this field has grown, schools are constantly hiring new Special Education teachers.” Unfortunately, the number of children with special needs is growing. More children are born with Down syndrome, and several other disabilities. Teachers are also being hired because many of the teachers are retiring now. Teachers in this field are in high demand.
If you could do things all over again, would you choose the same career path for yourself? Why? What would you change?
Marquez said, “Yes Kids make me happy, it is very rewarding for me to see them have fun and succeed in their tasks as well as learning different things”. “I wouldn’t change my job or my position for the world”, she said proudly. She stated that she loves being a middle school special Ed. teacher because it is two years with the same students but she is refreshed with new students every year or two.
What problems do you see working in this field?
“Some problems I have faced in this career path have been sad experiences where I have seen children come to class with bruises when parents abuse them at home. I have had heart breaking experiences were I meet kids that are deteriorating and will die soon. Another problem that we face in this field is that many times we try hard to get a student through and summer comes and all of our progress is gone
because parents at home do not demonstrate support. It can become very frustrating to try our best and the parents aren’t helping us at home.” Marquez said quietly.
If your work were suddenly eliminated what kinds of work do you feel prepared to try?
Marquez says that she would open a day care. She says she would never work in general Ed. “Kids in General Ed disrespect the teachers and are full of foul language and I wouldn’t be able to take that.” She believes that working in a day care center would be more similar to the sweet kids she is used to.
What Kinds of experience, paid or unpaid would you encourage for anybody pursuing a career in the field?
Marquez states that to those who want to become a teacher in this field should volunteer or try out a job like the one she has for at least a week. If that person likes working in that field and feels good about working there, they should continue. She went on to tell me an experience she had. One of her friends told her she was interested in a job similar to hers, working with kids with disabilities and
special needs. Marquez took her as a volunteer to her own classroom just one day. Her friend completely disliked the job. Of course, Marquez did not take it offensive that her friend didn’t see herself working like her because not everyone is meant for that job. Marquez was actually happy that her friend found out that she wasn’t right for that job before she started working there. Marquez was glad she experienced that job beforehand because that way she would not be miserable in her work place and she would not make the kids miserable as well.