Could You Cut It as a High School Teacher?

Ryan Choate

How do you feel about public speaking?

I love the podium.

I do it when I have to.
It brings on dread and terror.

I sweat and stumble over my words, but I get through it.

How do you feel about grading essays?

All part of the job

These kids aren't learning anything!
It starts to wear on me after essay number 14.

I keep running out of red pens.

If a student was constantly on their cell phone and not paying attention, what would you do?

Text them to get off their phone

Come up behind them and rip it out of their hands
Ask them to put it away

Ignore it - that kid is going to fail anyway.

How are you at making PowerPoint presentations?

I have those dialed!

Is that the pie-chart-making thingy?
I just put in a lot of pictures.

Mine are informative and colorful, and people like the memes.

How would you describe your own experience in high school?

My teachers shaped who I am.

I skipped class a lot.
It was okay, but I don't think I learned much.

I couldn't wait to graduate.

When you see a group of teenagers, what's the first thing you think?

Those kids are on drugs.

They look like some fine young folks.
Punks are up to no good.

Don't these kids have jobs?

Do you like the subject matter you want to teach?

It's easy, so should be cool.

Not really; it was an easy degree.
Yes, I am passionate about my subject.

I wasted four years of college.

What best describes your organization style?

I put stickies and labels on everything.

Stick it in a drawer
I keep it old school with a spiral notebook.

I keep everything in digital files on Google Drive.

Would you work extra hours without getting overtime pay?

I would do whatever it takes for my students.

I'm out of there at 3:30 sharp.
Working on the weekends is better than being unprepared.

I work eight hours a day, per my contract.

If a student were to disrupt your class, what would you do?

Calmly ask what the problem is

Try to be their buddy
Yell at them to get out of the classroom

Call the principal for backup

How would you motivate students who don't care about school?

Find better activities and lesson plans

Find out what students like
Just give them all Fs if they don't work

Call their parents

Why do you want to be a teacher?

I love helping kids learn.

Summers off
I want to share knowledge of my subject matter.

Good enough pay and benefits.

If you are telling a story, what is your approach?

Remember every detail

I forget storylines and just wing it.
Get the gist across

Embellish the stuff I can't remember

What motivates you?

Doing a good job

Having weekends off
Making a difference in someone's life

Being in charge of other people

If you had to call a parent because a student is disruptive, what would you say?

Any suggestions for how I can help your student?

I'm this close to writing a referral on your kid.
Do you let him act like this at home?

Maybe you should teach your kid some manners.

How do you handle an unexpected change in your schedule?

I'm flexible and just roll with it.

Change throws off my whole day.
I get stressed but deal with it.

Everything happens for a reason.

What is your philosophy on teamwork?

I prefer bouncing ideas off other people.

I will listen, but it's my way or the highway.
What do YOU know about teaching art?

Yes, I need a team to help me.

How would you handle conflict with another teacher at your school?

Meet after school and work it out

Ignore them - I only see them at meetings.
Spread rumors to other teachers

Have a beer and come to a compromise

If you had to describe yourself as an animal, which would it be?

A lion, king of the jungle

A wolf - I like a small pack.
An owl, wise and aloof

A dolphin, smart but hard to communicate with

Do you like to give warnings or strike first and swift?

I give plenty of heads-up.

You get a couple warnings.
You won't even see it coming.

I am willing to negotiate.

How would you describe your desk?

Neat, tidy, organized

A few papers here and there
I can't find my keyboard under all the clutter.

I work on my couch with a laptop.

What qualities do you think make a good teacher?

Passion, credibility, caring and understanding

Someone who knows what they are talking about
Someone who doesn't take crap from anybody

Hard-working, responsible and on time, with a good sense of humor

What would you do if a student came to you with a non-school-related problem and wanted to talk?

Listen to them and give advice

Send them to the counselor
Say I'm late and rush out of my classroom

Listen, even though I am uncomfortable

What would you say if a student asked if you take drugs?

Never - teachers are law-abiding citizens.

Tell them it's an inappropriate question and move on
Tell every story from my college years

Pretend I didn't hear the question and start class

How would you talk about politics in the classroom?

Try to avoid the subject unless it pertains to a lesson plan

Never let them know my political affiliation
Start bagging on politicians I don't like

That's tricky - tread lightly.

If a parent of a student who is failing your class came to school angry, what would you do?

Go over every project and expectation with the parent

Cave and pass their student to avoid confrontation
Tell them to get one more assignment in to earn a passing grade

Let the student re-do work and turn it in for a better grade

What would you do on the first day of school as a new teacher?

Have a day of fun activities planned

Start reading the textbook at Chapter 1
Get to know the students' names and talk about my expectations

It's the first day; let the kids chill.

What would you do if a student told you that you were a boring teacher?

Create some new lesson plans

Write a referral for disrespecting me
Ask the student what would be more fun in the class

Tell the student to keep such opinions to himself or herself

How would you describe your problem-solving skills?

I get to the root of the problem and find a solution.

I try to be creative in finding a good solution.
Out of sight, out of mind

Figure out if it's really hurting anybody and go from there

Would you want to teach at a year-round school?

Yes, I love teaching.

Is there an extra spring break in there?
Nope

Whatever, it's a job.

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Image: Stígur Már Karlsson / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

With over three million teachers in public and private schools in the U.S., educators are hugely important to the function of our society. Teachers spend many hours each day with students. Teaching is a noble profession that creates lasting impressions on youth.

More than ever, teachers are highly skilled and knowledgeable in the subjects they teach. This leads to better lesson plans and more engaged students. As the population changes, with new technologies and educational philosophies, teachers must adapt to meet standards and stay current with trends. This is a difficult job, and teachers deserve all the credit and respect in the world.

Everyone has a favorite teacher from their high school days - a teacher who made school fun and who seemed to really care about their students. While we've all had at least one teacher who we really could forget, for the most part, a teacher is someone who makes a lasting impression on a person at a time of life that can be scary, awkward and confusing. Teachers are unsung heroes for many. Teachers work hard and they deserve that summer off to recuperate from the year.

Study up on this quiz and see if you could cut it as a high school teacher!

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