Student Interviews

Student 1:

This student is struggling in his math classes, and has to cope with many personal issues that affect his ability to focus. He is disruptive in class, he is often under-dressed or inappropriately dressed for the weather, and his shoes are literally falling apart off of his feet. Often times in class, he gets distracted from his work by wanting to talk to me about things, which I strongly believe that nobody listens to at his home…

[ME] Do you enjoy school?

[Student 1]:  Yeah.

(In the interview I hesitate and seem baffled – this was not the answer I had expected.)

[ME]: What kind of student are you? If you could describe yourself…

[Student 1]: A nice student, who does his work… some of the time… (laughs). I’m just nice to people.

[ME]: You are – at least from what I’ve seen. What do you do for fun outside of school?

[Student 1]: Play basketball, play video games, do my homework… some. (laughs). I play games with my Dad… I do a lot with my Dad.

[ME]: How would your classmates describe you?

[Student 1]: (No response)

[ME]: Do you think they’d say good things?

[Student 1]: Well, Will and William would say good things… but I don’t know about everyone else.

[ME]: Who are you friends with? What do you and your friends do together?

[Student 1]: William. This weekend I was going to ask my dad If I could go over to his house and hang out.

[ME]: Tell me a good memory you have about school…

[Student 1]:  At the beginning of the school year- this year - I was going through classes, and the teachers were talking about what we need to do in class and everything – that was a good day for me.

[ME]: Tell me a bad memory you have about school…

[Student 1]: Hmm… With…. Three years ago… Thomas – this kid named Thomas was making fun of my Mom, and she’s gone… and stuff. He just kept on doing this every year, and I got mad at him and told him to shut up. And then Mr. Bowers yelled at me and told me to go to the office.

[ME]: Was the other kid punished?

[Student 1]: Mr. Ott and Mr. Thorne punished him (he says as if he assumes it happened)

[ME]: Does this kid still do this?

[Student 2]: Occasionally.

[ME]: Describe a “good” teacher or tell me about a favorite teacher you had in the past…

[Student 1]: Ms. Yoho. She helped us – helped me with my reading and math, and all my other subjects if she could. I had her at the end of the day, first period, and for homeroom.

[ME]: What is one thing you wish your teacher knew about you?

[Student 1]: I don’t know.

[ME]: Is there anything that you think might help them understand you better or maybe help you learn better?

[Student 1]: No

[ME]: You’re an open book? (He laughs.)

[Student 1] Everybody should know because my brother was in this school and he talked about my Mom being gone…

Reflection: A few things surprised me here. I wasn't anticipating this student to enjoy school, and I didn't have any idea of the bullying that he had experienced. He only has one parent, and was clear that he enjoyed spending time with his Dad, even though today (in response to the teacher remarking on his tattered shoes) he replied that his dad said, “When they fall off of your feet, then you can get a new pair.” Also, his favorite instructor seemed to be one that he spent a lot of time with. Losing his mother young may have impacted his social skills. Perhaps he has difficulty trusting adults or maintaining healthy relationships because he doesn't want the ones he trusts to go away. He seems to have taken a liking to me though…

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Student 2:

This student is high achieving. This student is very organized in class and verbally participates in class frequently. Student 2 is involved in athletics, student council, likes to read, and has a very good grasp of “self-efficacy”. Early observations suggest quite obviously that the grades of Student 2 would be very high – a direct reflection of their attitude in class.

[ME] Do you enjoy school?

[Student 2]: Yes, I do enjoy school.

[ME]: What kind of student are you?

[Student 2]: Umm… I try to be a respectful, responsible student. I try to do my best and complete all my work.

[ME]: That’s awesome! What do you do for fun outside of school?

[Student 2]: Umm… I’m involved in lots of sports. I also enjoy reading and I enjoy drawing.

[ME]: How would your classmates describe you?

[Student 2]: Hmm… That’s a hard one. They would probably describe me as “can be quiet, can be talkative”, outgoing, smart, athletic…

[ME]: Pretty much good things?

[Student 2]: Yeah –good things. (laughs)

[ME]: Who are you friends with? What do you and your friends do together?

[Student 2]: Umm. I’m friends with Maize George, Terrin, Taylor (I can tell the list goes on….) How many do you want me to list?

[ME]: Just the closest group.

[Student 2]: What do we do?

[ME]: Yeah, outside of school.

[Student 2]: Umm… go shopping, go to the mall…just hang out.

[ME]: Tell me a good memory you have about school…

[Student 2]: Hmm… A good memory I had about school… I enjoyed the thuse last year. I thought that was a lot of fun.

[ME]: What did you do at the thuse that made it so fun?

[Student 2]: I got to cheer on the stage, in front of of the whole school;

[ME]: Tell me a bad memory you have about school…

[Student 2]: Ooh a bad memory… When I got a “C” on my report card last year and got grounded for nine weeks. I was very upset, and got an “A” for the rest of the year after that.

[ME]: Describe a “good” teacher or tell me about a favorite teacher you had in the past…

[Student 2]:  Umm. . . I very much liked Ms. Yoho as a math teacher. She listened and helped me a lot.

[ME]: What is one thing you wish your teacher knew about you?

[Student 2]: They knew about me? That I am very busy, so sometimes it’s hard to get homework done.

[ME]: I wish that my teachers in college knew that about me. I understand that!

[Student 2] (laughs).

Reflection:

Student 2 was very pleasant. It’s is so easy to maintain a conversation with someone so focused, happy, and successful. The remark regarding the “C” on the report card reminded me of myself. I was harder on myself than my parents – although I think this “grounding” is significant. Her parents were setting the bar high for her, while many parents just really don’t care if their kid gets low grades. Student 2 was very creative and had a lot of friends – I can see a successful future ahead.