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Can you tell us about yourself?

“Hi. My name is Sarah Smith and I teach 1st grade Park Avenue Elementary in Stuttgart, Arkansas. I have been a 1st grade teacher here for 7 years.”

Why did you start a career in education?

“The reason I started my career because I knew I had to have a career that helped people and made a difference. I didn’t want… I just didn’t feel like my life would be fulfilled if I was doing something that didn’t impact children.”

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

“Well, I would still choose to be a teacher because it is the best profession. I don’t feel like I come to work. I feel like this is my second home. These children are my children and I truly do not feel like any of these days is work. I feel like its just daily life. I love it. I have found so much joy it in and its so rewarding.”

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

“Kids are very different now then 30 years ago. They have access to many more things, the internet, technology, things like that and I think it really puts children these days in… they have a wide variety and more opportunities.”

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

I feel like it’s more hands on now. They have more opportunities to expand their learning with the more technology and more advanced research as far as how children learn to read and the brain research that goes into that.”

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

“If they are willing to have… it is a very demanding job as far as emotional. You put in hours, but it doesn’t feel like a job to me. It doesn’t feel like a job to me. It’s my passion and I love what I do.”

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

“I would change and hope that each child had a family, a home that was very supportive and helped them, push them towards just being all they can be and the best they can be. Pushing them towards things that they enjoy and teaching them to experience different things so that they can find their passion. Thank you so much. Bye!”