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Can you tell us about yourself?

“Hello. My name is Aimee Frank. I’m a 1st grade teacher at Acacia Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona. This is my second year teaching.”

Why did you start a career in education?

“I started in a career in education because I wanted to help teach students the building blocks that they will need to know in order to succeed in junior high, in high school, in college, and in the rest of their lives.”

If you could have any other job what would it be and why?

“If I could have any other job, I would be a Marriage and Family Counselor. This job allows space to help people heal; families and children who are hurting. It’s a way to provide resources for people to live their lives.”

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

“Today’s children have access to technology, unlike those 30 years ago. Many students still explore and play outside, like kids had to 30 years ago and interacting with one another, whether they are siblings or neighbors. But most today are hyper focused on watching television and streaming services or playing games on phones, on any type of other video game service. Because of this student’s attention span is shorter than those 30 years ago. They need a lot of movement and excitement in order to keep their attention.”

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

“Teaching is different now than it was 30 years ago because of technology, as well. We have access to different ideas and strategies because of technology. Websites like Pintrest and Teacher Pay Teachers and other online resources offer plenty of strategies for teachers from classroom management to worksheets to what to try if you don’t know what to do next. 30 years ago, teachers could go to one another within their schools or within their districts to discuss these types of strategies. They always, as we do today, to go to conferences. But today we have instant access to ideas from people all around our country and all around our world. Technology has also given the teachers the ability to have students access resources and knowledge instantly on the computer.”

What would you tell someone right now that is thinking about becoming a teacher?

“If someone were to ask me if they should be a teacher, I would tell them to go for it! Teaching provides a great opportunity to help show students that you care for them.”

What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better?

“One thing that I would change to help students learn better is smaller class sizes. To provide more of an opportunity for teachers to reach every student throughout the day. Thank you”