Informational Interview

For my Informational Interview, I met with JoAnn Turcotte, a Paraeducator Assistant at East Layton Elementary. I'm considering getting a teaching certificate, and if I do I've been told by several people to get a certificate for teaching Special Needs because it will open more doors when applying for teaching positions.

What is your job like on a typical day?

“We follow a consistent schedule each day. With a half hour or so for each subject, we teach a few in the morning, go to lunch, then a few more in the afternoon, plus any bathroom breaks or emergencies that fall in there. It's hard to say what subject we're teaching because what we call English class for one child is writing their name and to another its having one of the teachers read to them. Every student has a daily calendar taped on their desk that we check off the subjects as we go along. So a typical day...? I come to work by 8:30, multitask for 7 hours, then leave by 4:00.” (laughs)

How did you get your job?

“It was really fortunate. A lady in my neighborhood worked at the school already and knew I was hurting for a job. Once she heard the position was going to be opening up she called me and asked if I would be interested. I said absolutely yes. I think they interviewed a couple other people too, but I honestly don't think they seriously considered anyone else after she went in there and recommended me.”

What jobs or experiences did you have in the past that prepared you for this job?

“In my interview I said the best related work experience I had was being a mother of eight children. Though none of them are special needs, I was familiar with being pulled in multiple directions and balancing the wants and needs of my kids. For a while I ran a small babysitting service out of my home as well so in addition to my own children I had about six others in the home, plus any little friends that came over, so yeah... I was very experienced with having a full house with a lot of children under my responsibility.”

What are the most satisfying and the most challenging aspects of your job?

“Everything we do here is satisfying. I think making a difference in a child's life is the most worthwhile thing a person can do. Just being their friend. Some of our lower functioning kids you're not even sure how much they recognize you one day to the next, but you still learn from them as you teach them. This job really is its own reward in many ways. The most challenging aspect would probably be when one of the children gets upset or rowdy. Some of these children have a harder time understanding how to be calm when they don't like something. And then when one get upset and starts screaming, then often a few of the other kids will start reacting too, and then the whole room is in chaos and you don't know who to calm down first or how.”

What skills are most important for a position like yours?

“Patience is a big one, obviously. Love, resolve, being able to multitask. This job is very professional and personal, so knowing how to deal with that.”

How would you describe the work atmosphere and people with whom you work?

“The atmosphere is rewarding. Our kids will say the cutest things and really consider us as their teachers, and the other students in the class, to be their best friends. At times it can get pretty chaotic in here, but its a understandable chaos, if you know what I mean. As far as people I work with, you mean besides the students? The other instructors here are great, we all get along really well. In fact the only problem we had with a coworker ever was our lead facilitator last year, she just wasn't very organized and that caused some frustration. But we're all a team now. We work a lot with the school administration and the student's parents or guardians too because each student has to have a written education plan agreed upon by all parties, but that usually isn't a problem because we're all there wanting what is best for the student.”

What is the average length of time for an employee to stay in the position you hold?

“Sadly, there is a fairly high turn-over rate in my department. I've only been here a year and a half and so far we've had three of the ladies I started with leave us. It is a unique-stress job, and so I get it when they need to leave. For me, I'm actually looking for another position right now mostly because of financial reasons. I said this job is very rewarding, and it is, just not in a financial sense, which can be hard. Even though I'm looking for another job right now, if I didn't need to, I'd probably stay on for another couple years but I could see myself needing a break eventually.”

What would you consider the greatest skill you have developed from your current position?

“Hmm, I know this is going to sound broad, but probably an understanding of people. Is that a skill? I have more appreciation for my own life and for the individuality of those around me since starting this position. So its really helped me get along better with anyone I come in contact with.”


Meeting with JoAnn was nice. She's actually a relative of mine so we just met in her house, but we tried to make it formal still. One of the things that struck me most during the interview was when she said she really thinks she got the job because of the recommendation of another employee at the school. This reminded me a lot of the networking we've been talking about. Although I don't know how valuable JoAnn will be to my employment network (unless I want a job at the school she's at) it still proved exactly what we covered. I prepared for the interview with writing down my questions, and finding a little tape recorder. We sat down to cheese and crackers at her dining room table, so that was extra nice. I don't know if I'll do this process again right away. It definitely gave me some things to think about, and once I'm further along in my education and looking for a solid career, I can see how it would be very beneficial to do something like this again.