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Sarah Stover CLUE Step 3b


 * Interview #1: High School Math Teacher**

**1. Why did you choose to become a teacher?**

 * I'm a people person, and I like the interaction I have as a teacher.

**2. What classes do you teach?**

 * From Practical Algebra, which is the lowest level of math in high school, to Honors Pre-Calc, which is the highest math class for juniors. I also teach some senior classes, so I have a wide range of classes and students.

** 3. Do you think students depend too much on a calculator for math? **

 * Absolutely. As great as technology is, students should still learn the fundamentals of math. Unfortunately, students' fundamental skills are weaker than they were when I started teaching because technology is so readily available. Students even have calculators on their phones or watches.

** 4. How do you teach math? **

 * Students learn in all different ways, and you have to provide for each way. Some students see you do it, and they learn that way. Others like to do it themselves, so it's better to introduce it and give them oppurtunities to work on it in class while you monitor. Some students learn better from each other, so you give them time to work with another person or group in class.
 * You can't do the same thing every day. The most effective teachers use a combination.

**5. Do you assign homework every day? Does it help your students to have homework to do after every math class?**

 * Most days. I can't say every day.
 * Absolutely. **Practice makes permanent.** Homework is about practicing the skills you learn in class. Sometimes all you need to give is five problems for them to practice it enough.
 * When student ask why I give them homework, I ask them if they play an instrument or a sport. If they say yes, I ask them why do they practice if they already know how to play?

**6. What is your biggest frustration with education?**

 * Public schools rely too much on standardized testing. In Pennsylvania, by 2014 every student should be proficient in math up to Algebra II. We all have strengths as people, but we are not proficient in everything we do. This sets an impossible or unrealistic goal that causes a lot of frustration among teachers. We have to focus on getting ready for a test, and we're not as focused on the educational process as we want.


 * Interview #2: High School Student**

** 1. Generally, do you consider math classes to be difficult or relatively easy? **

 * Easy. There's always a definite answer, and I've always been good at it.

** 2. Do you depend on a calculator for math? **

 * I can do the basics without one. I only use one for higher level math such as Trigonometry. **﻿**

** 3. How do you best learn/study math? **

 * I do practice problems to study.
 * As for learning in the classroom - teachers shouldn't ramble or repeat the same thing all the time. It gets boring and it isn't as effective. **﻿**

** 4. Is there any difference between how you study for math and how you study for other classes? **

 * Yes. I do practice problems for math whereas I just read over my notes for other classes.

** 5. Is it helpful to have homework to do after every math class? **

 * Yes, especially if you're learning new material. **﻿**

** 6. What math classes have you taken so far in high school? **

 * I've already taken both Algebras and Geometry.
 * This year I'm in Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry. **﻿** **﻿**

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