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Can you tell us about yourself? 

“Hi, my name is Julie Swoboda. I'm with Superstition high school in Mesa, Arizona. I have taught there for six years. I am a service learning coach there. I currently teach a junior high seventh grade math. I teach eighth grade pre algebra, algebra one and two service learning classes, one for junior high and one for high school.”

Why did you start a career in education?

“Question two, why did I start a career in education? Because our kids are our future and I love the rewarding work and being able to help them and get them to understand things that they didn't think they'd know how to do.”

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

“Question three, if you could have any other job, what would it be and why? I was a software engineer for 23 years. I've worked with various governments. I've worked with NASA, I've worked with, uh, the coast guard. I've also done work with various foreign governments such as the Moroccan government and the Egyptian government. Loved all the work. But to me, still teaching the kids and getting through to them is the most rewarding for me.”

 How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

“How are kids different than 30 years ago? 30 years ago, we didn't have any social networking. We actually sat and talk to somebody face to face. I think kids are, are missing a lot of the social skills that we had. They also expect to be respected instead of respecting adults just on the get go. So I think that's a lot different than it was 30 years ago.”

 How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

“Question five how is teaching different than 30 years ago? Now? I think for teaching we need to show the kids that we really care about them. And once we can do that, then we can get to them and then they want to start learning. Whereas before kids would just automatically go there because that's what they knew they were supposed to do. But now kids need to know that you care before they'll actually really start learning.”

 What would you tell someone who wants to become a teacher?

“Question six, what would you tell someone if they were thinking about being a teacher? I would tell them it's the most rewarding career you could ever have, but it is very challenging and very frustrating. So just be prepared.”

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

“And finally, question seven. What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better? Like I said earlier, just show them that you care, and once you do that, they're hooked. Thank you.”