Ibrahim Mohamed

Interview Project part 1

Communication 1010-042

Background Information
My Interviewee:
Im planning to interview Megan Inama. She works at the Innovations Early College High
School in Salt Lake City as a social studies teacher. I will interview Megan in her classroom
where she works because that was easiest for her. Also, she will take me on a short tour after
we finish the interview to show me the ins and outs of being a teacher.

Career Research:
I began taking classes in August of 2013. I took sociology 1010 and was very interested
in learning more about how to help the community, how cultural groups differ from each other,
and about people and societies. I really like helping people and being there for them. This
made me think about possibly going into teaching sociology and psychology. That way, I could
learn about what I am interested in and being there for the students.

Interview Schedule
Opening:
HI Megan! Thank you for taking the time to sit with me. Ive been in your classroom a lot,
but its nice to be able to interview you.
I am interviewing you for an assignment for my communications class, but I am also
interested in the two classes that you teach; sociology and psychology. I would like to ask you
about your life as a teacher, how you became a teacher, and how it has affected your personal
life.
Please know that I will be writing down notes as you speak. Are you ready?

Body:

Topic 1: How did you become a teacher?
1. Why did you decide to become a teacher? (Primary, Open)
I decided to become a teacher because I love learning and helping people, and I just
love being around people and I feel good about helping people and I'm passionate about it.
a. Were there other jobs you thought about doing? (Secondary, Closed)
Being in the CIA, since I have a Chinese minor I wanted to be a Chinese analyst
for the government.
b. Are you glad about becoming a teacher? (Secondary, Closed)
Yes, Im very glad and its actually proven to be one of the best jobs I couldve
done, I dont regret it at all.
2. How did you start your teaching career? (Primary, Open)
I went to Utah state university.
a. Do you need a degree to get to going into teacher as a career? (Secondary,
closed)
Yes, you need at least a bachelor and you need a teaching license, which takes
a year to do.
b. How much did it cost to get your degree? (Secondary, closed)
It cost about $35,000.
c. How much time did it take you to get your degree? (Secondary, closed)
4 and a half years.
3. What kind of skill do you need to become a successful teacher? (Primary, Open)
Good communication, a passionate, patience, open-minded, flexible, and loving.
a. Did you have any training to develop to become a successful teacher?
(Secondary, closed)
Yes; I did student teaching the first six months, then I had a mentor.
4. How long have you been a teacher? (Primary, open)
Just 2 years.
a. Is being a teacher what you expected it to be? (Secondary, Closed)
Its a lot more energy draining and time consuming, but it is also more rewarding
than I thought.
b. How was your first year of teaching compared to today? (Secondary, Closed)
My first year was overwhelming and I didn't know what I was doing.
5. What type of schooling did you need? (Primary, open)
You need to take a lot of teaching classes and a lot of classes with your career like
history.
a. Where did you go to school? (Secondary, closed)
Utah state university and a little bit to SLCC..
b. Did you have to do student teaching? (Secondary, closed)
Yes, I did student teaching at Skyview.

Topic 2: A Typical Day
Now that I know how you got started, Id like to hear what your current job is like.
1. How does a typical day go for you? (Primary, open)
Innovations high school is a little different than a traditional high school where I can
schedule my own class meetings, I usually have between 4-5 class meetings of around 10
students in each meeting. I also do a lot of one on one in between meeting my student and
meetings I usually grade and do mentor meetings.
a. Whats your favorite part of the day? (Secondary, closed)
Getting to know the students on a personal level. For example, when I do the
mentor meeting I get to talk to them on a more personal level.
b. Whats your least favorite part of the day? (Secondary, closed)
Grading.
2. What type of subjects do you teach? (Primary, open)
Social studies; geography, world civilization,, U.S. government, history, psychology, and
sociology.
a. Which is the most difficult subject for you? (Secondary, closed)
Psychology is probably the hardest.
b. Which is the most simple subject for you? (Secondary, closed)
Financial literacy by far.
3. Can you tell me about your daily schedule? (Primary, open)
Work from 8-4 Mon-Fri. I teach 9th grade Geography everyday at 11:00. I teach World
Civilizations at 10:00 every other day, and Financial Literacy at 1:00 every Tuesday and
Thursday. I teach U.S. History and U.S. Government on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 or
2:00. Psychology and Sociology are more individual based and the meeting times change every
week.
a. Are you allowed to take sick days/personal days? (Secondary, closed)
Yes.
b. How many sick days or personal days do you get? (Secondary, closed)
i'm allowed to take 10.

4. Would you recommend on becoming a teacher, if yes why would? If not, why wouldnt
you? (Secondary, bipolar)
Yes, even though you don't get paid very much its one of the most rewarding jobs.
a. Would you recommend other career choices? (Secondary, closed)
I recommend every student to pursue what they're passionate about. My goals
are to find out what students are passionate about and push them towards their goals.
5. Would you recommend your career choice for someone who is a single parent?
(Primary, bipolar)
I imagine it would be very hard to be a teacher and a single parent, your kids would have
to be older for it to function.
a. What choices would you recommend to someone who is a single parent?
Secondary, open?
Baby sitting if they decide to still become a teacher, volunteering or possibly even
going part time, cutting back your hours.
6. Has your job affected your decision making? (Primary, open)
I think it has helped improve my critical thinking skills and my ability to communicate with
people.
a. Would it affect major decisions or minor ones? (Secondary, open)
Definitely, since teaching takes so much time it can affect your decisions even
when you're not teaching.

Clearinghouse question: The interviewee's turn

1. Are there subjects we havent discussed that you think I need to be aware of?
(Primary, Open)
Make sure you're aware of how much you're getting paid, and whether or not, teaching
is what you're passionate about.
2. Can you think of anyone else I could interview to get more information about the field
before I decide to become a teacher? (Primary, Bipolar)
Make sure you look at graduation progress, also look at job outlooks whether its in high
demand or not.
Closing
Well, thats all the questions I have for you. Thank you, I appreciate the time that you
have taken from your busy schedule to talk to me. I have learned a lot about becoming a
teacher, and you have been very helpful.