What school did you attend, and when did you graduate?
UC Davis, 1996
Where do you work, and what grade/subjects do you teach?
Franklin High School, 9-12th grade. I am teaching algebra and geometry now, but have taught world and
U.S. history.
Why did you choose this grade level instead of another (eg. Elementary, middle school)?
It is better than middle school because students' attitudes in high school are very different. There is a
higher expectation so students mostly don't misbehave or disrespect teachers and staff making it easier
to discipline and communicate to students.
When did you decide to become a teacher?
I decided when I was in high school and finally in college at UC Davis
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Something I been wanting to do since high school; wanting to help other students.
If you had it to do all over again, would you still be a teacher? Why or why not?
Yes, it is quite enjoyable.
What was the most difficult part of the teacher-credentialing program?
Time- takes almost two years.
Please describe the student teaching portion of your training and how you felt during it.
Student teaching was helpful in preparing for classroom teaching. For 4 weeks you watch your
master teacher do it and then you do it for 4 weeks. It’s a learning experience and helps a lot –e.g.
lesson planning, discipline, social networking, and getting recommendations.
As a Hmong teacher, how do your students/students’ parents/colleagues treat you?
Mostly as a teacher. It doesn’t seem to matter anymore just because you’re a Hmong teacher.
Have you done parent-teacher conferences? If so, how did they go and how did you feel doing them?
Many conferences. A lot times, the conferences solved all misunderstandings and disciplined the
students.
Please describe a typical day at work for you.
Teach lesson for the day. Review lesson. Students do lesson. Check lesson. Review lesson.
Was your perception of a teacher’s job accurate? If not, what are the differences?
Pretty much.
Do you have to spend a lot of time outside of school hours preparing material and grading papers, etc.?
Not any more since I have done this for so long.
Students get all the holidays and vacations off, do you get them off as well?
Yes.
How often do you have to attend staff meetings/trainings?
2 times a month mandatory. The meetings are always 1 hour long.
What information about being a teacher do you wish you had known before deciding on this career?
It’s all I expected.
What advice do you have for students interested in becoming teachers.
Expect a lot of work (correcting) and meetings and non-paid extra times.
Is there anything else you would like students to know about being a teacher?
Pay is not that great.
UC Davis, 1996
Where do you work, and what grade/subjects do you teach?
Franklin High School, 9-12th grade. I am teaching algebra and geometry now, but have taught world and
U.S. history.
Why did you choose this grade level instead of another (eg. Elementary, middle school)?
It is better than middle school because students' attitudes in high school are very different. There is a
higher expectation so students mostly don't misbehave or disrespect teachers and staff making it easier
to discipline and communicate to students.
When did you decide to become a teacher?
I decided when I was in high school and finally in college at UC Davis
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Something I been wanting to do since high school; wanting to help other students.
If you had it to do all over again, would you still be a teacher? Why or why not?
Yes, it is quite enjoyable.
What was the most difficult part of the teacher-credentialing program?
Time- takes almost two years.
Please describe the student teaching portion of your training and how you felt during it.
Student teaching was helpful in preparing for classroom teaching. For 4 weeks you watch your
master teacher do it and then you do it for 4 weeks. It’s a learning experience and helps a lot –e.g.
lesson planning, discipline, social networking, and getting recommendations.
As a Hmong teacher, how do your students/students’ parents/colleagues treat you?
Mostly as a teacher. It doesn’t seem to matter anymore just because you’re a Hmong teacher.
Have you done parent-teacher conferences? If so, how did they go and how did you feel doing them?
Many conferences. A lot times, the conferences solved all misunderstandings and disciplined the
students.
Please describe a typical day at work for you.
Teach lesson for the day. Review lesson. Students do lesson. Check lesson. Review lesson.
Was your perception of a teacher’s job accurate? If not, what are the differences?
Pretty much.
Do you have to spend a lot of time outside of school hours preparing material and grading papers, etc.?
Not any more since I have done this for so long.
Students get all the holidays and vacations off, do you get them off as well?
Yes.
How often do you have to attend staff meetings/trainings?
2 times a month mandatory. The meetings are always 1 hour long.
What information about being a teacher do you wish you had known before deciding on this career?
It’s all I expected.
What advice do you have for students interested in becoming teachers.
Expect a lot of work (correcting) and meetings and non-paid extra times.
Is there anything else you would like students to know about being a teacher?
Pay is not that great.
| Teacher Interview |
| Mr. Jason Hang |
