By Jacob Jablonski
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: “I taught in Poland for 4 years, the I taught 2 years as a Polish tutor before becoming a math teacher in 2004. So a total of 24 years.”
Q: What is your opinion on YONDR?
A: “It is awesome, we gave them their last chance with the phones and there was a lot of failing. I think it will be our new normal. It will help the students get back on track with academics."
Q: What do you most, and least enjoy about your job?
A: “I mostly like having a connection with the students, the ones who start of poorly often end up doing well in the end. Also, honors classes are nice because they are a bit more mature and can take more of my jokes than the college prep students. My least favorite part of my job would be the disrespect, and all the profanity. Just follow the rules!"
Q: Have you had any other jobs/careers?
A: “I am currently a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), I was also a waitress in New York.”
Q: So, what made you want to get into teaching?
A: “I had always wanted to be a teacher. My teacher from elementary school encouraged me too, and always said I would make a great teacher. So it was a combination of those two things, really."
Q: What was your "I almost quit" moment?
A: “I cannot say I have really ever had a moment where I truly wanted to quit my job. I have definitely had moments where I needed to get my mind off things, but I have never been close to quitting."
Q: What was your “this job is totally worth it” moment?
A: “Actually, it happened this year. [Senior student] Yamirelis Matos mentioned my name in her speech. The whole district heard it. I loved it. When students do well on tests, and just work in general, I feels good that I helped them. I like seeing my students succeed.”
Q: What is the most difficult daily aspect of your job?
A: “Bathroom duty. I really hate sitting out there, and kids are so disrespectful when you just ask them for their pass. Kids vape in there, skip and things like that. I've got no real power to change any of what is going on there."
Q: How do you typically spend your summers/breaks?
A: “By working. I never stop working. I am a single mother to 3 kids, and I need to be able to provide. When I am not teaching, I love being outside. Hiking, biking, just being in nature. It's what I enjoy doing."
Q: Why do you teach math?
A: “It is an easy concept for me and always has been. It is easy to teach, and I don't like to read. Numbers are easier for me than words."
Q: If you knew then what you know now, would you still have decided to get into the profession of teaching?
A: "My goal is always to help people, so maybe I would have gotten into nursing full-time, but I enjoy teaching. I get to help students."
Q: Let's end it with a story on the craziest thing that's happened to you on the job as a teacher.
A: “There's a bunch of crazy stuff. First of all, all the fighting is pathetic. I hate fights. Another crazy thing is, a few days ago, a student was really sick in class, and he was bent over about to puke. So, he puked all over the floor. That was pretty crazy, I think. The craziness never ends!"
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