Post by rilieycox on Jun 12, 2011 21:53:15 GMT -6
RILEY KENDRA COX
FULL NAME: Riley Kendra Cox
BIRTHDATE: January 23
AGE: 27
SUBJECT: Social Studies
YEARS TEACHING: Three
YEARS AT BLACKWOOD: One
HEALTH CONDITIONS: Anemic, Hyperthyroidism
ADDITIONAL:
“Why did you decide to go into teaching?”
It's something I've always wanted to do. Honestly, maybe it's cheesy, but I like to think it chose me, not the other way around. While all the other little girls were playing house, I was playing school, giving my teddy bears lectures.
I just love learning. I've always been curious about the world, always wanting to know more. It's always given me such a thrill when I discover something new. Reading, learning, teaching, it's my passion. I guess, when it boils down to it, I became a teacher because I wanted to share that passion, I wanted to inspire kids to pick up their books and love learning. I want them to go to school, not because they have to, but because they genuinely want to be there. Yeah, I've probably seen Dead Poets Society one time too many. If you wander past my class room and hear the kids reciting 'Oh captain, my captain', don't be scared.
“What can you offer the school?”
I am enthusiastic, I'm young, and I truly love and care about my job. I will not become jaded, or cynical, and do everything in my power to give my students the tools they need to grow and learn. I know these kids are a little rough around the edges, but I also know I can get through to them, they don't need to be smoothed out, they need to be understood, and I can do that. I believe with all my heart I will make a difference here, that I will reach these kids. A lot of people tell me naive and idealistic. Maybe they are right. But that's not going to stop me from trying. So, back to the question, you ask me what I can offer this school, I'll tell you. I can offer myself, my hard work, and my dedication.
“Why do you want to work with troubled youth?”
First off, I don't see these kids as 'troubled.' I think they've made mistakes, and need some guidance. But saying that they are troubled makes it sound like you are saying there is something wrong with them. And I don't believe that.
As for why I chose to apply here at Blackwood, well, I was inspired by my surroundings. When I first graduated, I was working in a public high school in South Central LA. Not a nice area to be. Most of my students had lived hard lives, and many were what you would call 'troubled.' There was a boy in my class, David Jennings.
He was smart as a whip. Some of the essays he turned in made me question my position on things. This kid was bright. But the problem was, he was never around, he ditched classes, was involved in gangs, was in and out of Juvie. Pretty much everyone had given up on him. He wasn't worth it. I tried to engage him, make him care, make him apply himself. But by the time I discovered him, he was in his Senior year, and frankly, was so used to being written off, he no longer cared.
It was frustrating as hell, and despite my instincts telling me not too, I followed the trend set by my colleagues and gave up on him. He was shot and killed three weeks before graduation. I know it's not my fault, I know it's likely I couldn't have stopped it from happening. But the little voices in the back of my head keep telling me if only I hadn't given up, maybe, just maybe, he'd still be here.
So I don't know if that's a good reason, or the right reason, to be here. But I figure, if I can help even one kid like David, that if I can make a difference in the life of one 'troubled' youth, then I need to be here.
“How long have you been teaching? What subjects have you taught? Where was the last place you taught?”
I've only been teaching three years. Definitely not the most experienced educator, I know. But considering before I joined the staff at Blackwood a year ago, I spent two years at an inner city school in one of LA's worst neighborhoods, I think I've proved myself able to handle a more challenging working environment.
My previous job was also teaching Social Studies. What can I say? It's my favourite subject, I love history, and politics, and current affairs. And most of all, I love assigning essays that force my students to really sink their teeth in, and challenge themselves. Not something you can accomplish teaching math or chemistry.
“How do you project yourself to students? How do you think your coworkers will see you? How do you see yourself?”
When it comes to students, I like to be open and available. I want them to trust me, and know that I'm not there to be a harsh task master. I want to create an environment where they are comfortable, and excited to learn. Yes, I assign homework, and will pass out detentions when needed. But to be honest, I will avoid traditional punishments when I can. My co workers used to tell me I was too soft, let the kids get away with too much. And maybe I can stand to be a little tougher. But in the end, my students loved me. They respected me, or at least I hope they did. And I think I made some of them change their minds about school.
As for colleagues, well, that depends on the person. Not everyone thinks my methods are effective. And they are more than entitled to their opinions. I am open and willing to engage in a healthy debate about teaching practices, and what is most effective. I've been told that my spirit is catching. I hope that's a good thing. If I can shake off the dust and cynicism that covers some of my more experienced coworkers, then I am more than happy to do so.
I am easygoing and generally well liked, mainly because I avoid conflict when I am able. So on a personal level, I am able to form friendships with many of my colleagues. I think that people can get frustrated with me, I'm no fool, I know that unbridled pep makes some people uncomfortable. But I'd much rather someone tell me so, so I can try to change. Rather than let it breed resentment, making the workplace uninviting.
“What is the worst decision you have made during your teaching career?”
Thus far, I would say the situation I mentioned earlier about David Jennings. I went against my instincts and made a poor choice. I could have helped someone, and instead turned my back to them. It is not something I will repeat. That being said, my teaching career has been short, and is only just beginning. Who's to say I won't make other mistakes along the way? Worse ones. All I can do is my best, and hope that they are infrequent.
“Tell me a little about your life before coming to B.A.D.”
I was born and raised in Burbank, California. Au suburb of LA. My childhood was happy, if not uneventful. My father worked for a software company, and my mother stayed at home with me and my younger sisters, Rachel and Robin. They had a thing for 'R''s, clearly. We were strictly middle class, and though we never wanted for anything, we were never incredibly wealthy.
My parents are my role models. They have the marriage that everyone hopes for. One day, I'd like to be lucky enough to find someone I can share that kind of relationship with. My family is close, it can be kind of nauseating really. I'm pretty sure to outsiders, we look like we're straight out of some 1950's sitcom. Sure, they can get on my nerves, but all in all, I wouldn't trade anyone of them.
I was never really the most popular kid growing up. I'm Anemic, and suffer from Hyperthyroidism, which resulted in me being paler and scrawnier than everyone else. Which in California, makes you stick out. Add in my obsession with school, and my nerd like tendencies, and you have a recipe for a kid with few friends, and plenty of tormentors. I will admit, I had some serious self esteem issues growing up, and by the time I was in high school, my parents had me going to a psychologist three times a week.
It was an awkward time for me, but one that I did manage to grow out of. By the time I started college, I was a much more confident person, though still not very assertive (something I still struggle with). I had been accepted to Berkley on a full academic scholarship. College was, without a doubt, the most fun, and adventure filled time of my life. I'll spare you the details, surely you're well aware of the rebellion and antics most people go through as soon as they reach university. Despite that, I managed to graduate near the top of my class, Majoring in Education with a minor in Political Sciences.
I met, and fell in love, with my former Fiance in my fourth year. He was in his first year of Medicine, older, suave, and devastatingly charming. I only tell you this, as his presence was an important part of my life for 3 years. Charles was everything a girl could want, and I'll admit, I felt a little smug, knowing that I had gotten the best catch there. We dated for a year, and when I graduated, we moved into a small apartment.
For the first few months, things were wonderful. He proposed, I said yes. I thought I was well on my way to getting that picture perfect marriage my parents have. Then Charles started to change. It was subtle at first, calling me more often when I was out with friends, always wanting to know where I was, who I was with. I brushed that off, he was just concerned, knowing the type of area I worked in. I managed to convince myself his increasingly more controlling ways were just his way of showing he was worried.
It was quite like a text book case of domestic abuse. He started with controlling me, and slowly it morphed into verbal, and finally physical abuse. Like I said, I've never been good at asserting myself, and it took me a long time to admit that this was not normal behavior, and that I needed to stand up for myself. I finally got up the courage to leave him. Again, I'll spare you the details, as they are not pretty, and definitely not something I like to dwell on. But to give you an overview, Charles did not like that I'd left. He was violent, and cruel, and it took me getting a restraining order to get him to leave me be. Even then, I still didn't feel safe.
This was one of the main reasons I chose to leave California. Not an easy decision, I'd lived in and around LA my whole life. But I didn't want to be worried about my past and more importantly, Charles. When I saw that Blackwood Academy was hiring for teaching positions, it felt like fate. There was an escape, as well as a means to help kids that really needed it. I applied, got the position, and have been happily living here since.
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