Interview Project- Part 2

Danielle Barnes
Interview Project: Part 2
Communication 1010
March 8, 2015
Interview Analysis Memo
DATE: March 8, 2015
TO: Ms. Givens
FROM: Danielle Barnes
SUBJECT: Interview Analysis Memo, COMM 1010
My interviewee is a principal and a former teacher of Butterfield Canyon Elementary. He was
my fourth grade teacher and influenced my love for learning. I decided to contact Mr. Hansen
and ask if I could interview him.
I have recently become interested in elementary education and I believed Mr. Hansen would
have I unique perspective due to his experience with teaching and administration. He brought up
interesting points about becoming the best teacher, not just mediocre. Because of talking with
him I am reconsidering what school I will transfer to and the amount of time I will volunteer.
This memo is a summary of what I learned about elementary education and analyzes how I
conducted the interview.
Summary of Lessons Learned
Getting Started in the Educational Field
I learned that getting started in the educational field is not difficult. All the major schools in Utah
offer an education program. Mr. Hansen got his two year degree at Salt Lake Community
College and then transferred to Brigham Young University. He started with the plan to eventually
work up to administration. I learned that elementary education can be instantly rewarding if you
love teaching. He recommended volunteering for more than a couple of hours at the elementary
school to see if I would like it. Some teachers receive their education, start teaching, and then
learn that it does not suit them. He recommended immersing myself for two weeks by
volunteering for at least two weeks.
Mr. Hansen recommended getting a bachelor degree in elementary education from Utah Valley
University. He said that next to Westminster, UVU has the best candidates.
A Typical Day
At Butterfield Canyon Elementary school begins at 9am. Teachers are expected to be there 30
minutes early and be well prepared. Throughout the day teachers are continually working with
groups of children. They give lessons, supervise, and assist students. Mr. Hansen emphasized the

importance of working with your team of teachers on your grade level. Just because your class
grasps a concept does not make it reasonable to assume other classes understand. Being
moldable and willing to rethink traditional teaching is an edge to get hired as a teacher. Looking
at things with a new perspective and being willing to change is what makes a good teacher
different from a spectacular one.
Teachers work 5 days a week and are expected to be 30 minutes early and stay 30 minutes late,
as well as 3 hours after school on early out Friday. It takes roughly 3-5 hours a week to plan
lessons. Much of it can be done during the designated work time, but grading homework and
activities must be done on a teachers own time.
Continuing Education
The longer you teach the easier it becomes. Lesson planning gets faster the more a teacher does.
Mr. Hansen went into education with the plan to become a principal. He worked for several years
as a teacher, while his wife worked as a nurse on weekends, before he got a Masters degree in
administration. He wanted to be a principal to provide for his family. He likes teaching students
and he likes teaching teachers.
In order to maintain your teaching license a teacher must have done certain classes, teaching, or
volunteer work to keep their certificate. Teachers are responsible for the hours needed otherwise
they must take tests again and pay out of their own pocket.
Interview Analysis
Interviewing Mr. Hansen opened my eyes to the education field and helped me learn how to
conduct an interview.
Analysis of Elementary Teacher as my Career Choice
From Mr. Hansen I have learned that the best way to see if I would enjoy a career in elementary
education is to volunteer and try it out. In mid-June I am planning on volunteering every day for
two weeks in the different classes and responsibilities.
By following up on Mr. Hansens advice, I can gain more direction on what I should focus my
study on this fall.
Analysis of my Interviewing Process
I was excited to meet with Mr. Hansen. I really enjoyed him as a teacher and I love taking to new
people. I was nervous, but it went very well.
During the interview I was more interested in follow-up questions than I was on the original
questions. Because of that we got on tangents and although we did not cover all of the topics in
depth I learned the details of being a teacher. Because I was not worried about what question we
were on I was able to maintain eye contact throughout the entire interview.
I was very glad I decided to record the interview for future reference. Next time I would interrupt
less and let the interviewee do more of the talking. It would have also helped to have questions
that I was more interested in, instead of generic questions.

This was an extremely useful assignment that will help me decide a career path. I plan to utilize
this interviewing strategy as I research other careers I am interested in.

Letter of Thanks
Mr. Hansen
6860 W. Mary Leizan Lane
Herriman, UT 84096
March 9, 2015

Dear Mr. Hansen,

Thank you for allowing me to interview you about your career. The answers you provided during
our interview will be extremely helpful as I further my education.
I admire your enthusiasm and dedication to helping students not only learn, but enjoy learning. I
look forward to the opportunity of volunteering this summer. From this interview I realized that
researching is not enough, I now understand attributes of a superb teacher. You also opened my
eyes to areas I can explore as I consider my career.
I appreciate the time you spent visiting with me, even though you have a busy work schedule.
Your answers were very helpful for my communications class. I now feel prepared to explore
elementary education, and look forward to doing so.
Sincerely,
Danielle Barnes