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Can you tell us about yourself? 

Hi, my name is Michelle Joyce. I teach at Carthage Junior High. I'm a special education teacher. Sorry about my voice. It's in Carthage, Missouri. I have been with the Carthage district 14 years. My last name is Joyce.

Why did you start a career in education?

I had a career in education because I wanted to be able to help students with learning disabilities because two of my own personal children have learning disabilities.

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

If I could have any other job, I would want to be, um, an advanced manager just because I enjoy putting things together and organizing, and I'd want it to be somewhere where it's warm year-round kids. 

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

These days are different from 30 years ago. Because they have more technology. They have less attention span because they're in an instant like wave world where we didn't have that 30 years ago. The structure of the family has drastically changed in these kids.

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

For someone right now, who's thinking about being a teacher, be prepared to not just teach your lessons, your mom, your dad, you're a counselor. You're the nurse. You are their social manager. You're trying to find them help with getting what they need at home. Your their head provider for their school supplies, finding ways to get them food, clothing, shelter. It's not about just academics anymore.

What would you change to help kids learn better?

If there was one thing that I could change to help kids learn better, I would get rid of social promotion. I think that has ruined us as a nation.