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Can you tell us about yourself? 

My name is Mindy Nowlen. I work at C.S. Porter Middle School. I am an 8th grade teacher in Missoula, MN and this is my 7th year of teaching."

Why did you start a career in education?

"Why did you start a career in education? I love the schedule. I like kids. Just worked well with my own kids."

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

"If you could have any other job what would it be and why? I would like to be a travel agent, or a cruise director, or something like that."

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

"How are kids different now than 30 years ago?  Just the social aspect of kids nowadays and how they have to deal with immediate social interaction all the time."

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

"How's teaching different now than 30 years ago? I think, teaching fundamentally is the same but a lot of new technology and things make it new and exciting, more hands on."

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

"What would you tell someone right now who is thinking about becoming a teacher? I would suggest they do it. If they like kids, like to continue to learn, teaching might be for them."

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

"What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better? I don't know if I would change anything. I think, it's just fundamentally comes down to learning who your kids are and structuring your lessons and how you teach around that. Thank you."