Interview

I interviewed to teachers that work in public schools. The first one that I interviewed was a first grade teacher. She has been working with children for 8 years. Currently in her class she has many ELL learners and special needs children. I asked her how she felt about the wide variety of students in her class. She said that it can be very challenging but rewarding at the same time. I asked her if the children bully in her class and she told me that she does have trouble with that from time to time. I asked her how she addresses the situation and she told me that they talk abotu how we are all different in many ways. It is something that she talks about everyday in her class. Her school is in a voluntary bully program right now. I don't remember what it is called. I will ask her and post that as well. It seems like a great program.
The second interview that I did was a teacher in a head start room. She told me that she loves what she does and she wouldn't go back to anything else she has done. I asked her what is one thing that has changed since she first started and she said teh number for child coming in that are not english speakers. I asked her how that affected what she does as far as teaching, she said that she contiues to teach the was she always has. She does more one on one with these student by doing flashcards and saying the name of what is on the flashcard. She said it can be a slow process but the other children are a huige help as well. I think that is great how involved everyone is in the class as far as helping each other. She also has a speech teacher come in to work with these children. She will pull them out of the room for 30 mins 3 times a week to help them with english. I asked her if she had to deal with bullying and she said she has but not for a long time now. It wasnt when she was working in head start!

Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood

I have gained a better understanding of the difference in oublic schools comepared to a head start program. In the public schools they are at a more fast pace when it comes to teaching because everything has to be done in a certain time frame. In head start they are more laid back because they are not pressed for time.
The first grade teacher has delt with bullying in her class and throughout the school but the head start teacher that I interviewed has not delt with it in her school. Thats makes me think that maybe it starts once they enter kindergarten. I am windering if that is where it starts.

How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper

I think it has influenced my topic by figuring out where the bullying starts. I know that it can start at any age but I would like to find out where it starts to affect the children that are being bullied. That way you can address the situation at an earlier age to try to stop it from happening.

Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics

I would like to focus on Bullying
Cyberbullying
Bullying in primary grades
Bullying in early learning centers

Questions you have for your colleagues related to your area of interest and/or three topics 

I would like to know if they have to deal with bullying in thier line of work. If they have delt with it what was the situation about and how was it handled.