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Can you tell us about yourself? 

"Hi, my name is Sarah Seaney. I work at Rosedale Middle School in Bakersfield, California. I have been there for three years." 

Why did you start a career in education?

"I started a career in education, I'm substituting over 20 years ago and as a substitute and then I stayed home and I raised my six kids and two of my brothers after he passed away. I never thought I would be a teacher, but after suddenly becoming single, it was the fastest thing I could do with the education I was grateful that I had received 20 years ago." 

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

"Um, I could have any other job. I would definitely go back to being a full time mom. I miss being home with my kids and taking care of them." 

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

"Kids are different than 30 years ago because I think the internet, everything is at their fingertips. They're um, if there's curiosity, they take care of that they find anything and everything they want to find and many things that they shouldn't and they know more than some adults know and it's hard to keep up." 

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

"Teaching is different than 30 years ago. I think because we as educators have to stay on top of the world and the media and everything that they know and read and see in the trends and they're fast and they don't miss a beat." 

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

"What would I tell somebody who was thinking about being a teacher is to hang on. It's a lot of work and harder than I ever thought and just as great too. I love my job. I love middle school and it's crazy. And I would tell somebody, if you love kids and you love learning, then do it." 

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

"If there's one thing that I could change to help kids think better, it would be to make sure that none of them are hungry. I do my best to make sure that kids can think and they can't think when they're hungry. And it's crazy how many kids come to school with out food and money to buy it and food at home. So I would love to have no hungry kids. Thank you. I would love to have your phones, your bud so I can help my kids with testing. That's coming up in a couple months. Thank you."