Saul Ruiz's Interview with a Social Studies Teacher

Wilmore high school is one of three high schools in this small agricultural city Wilmore high school uses a block schedule. Students have three classes a day and an advisory. The classes are an hour and fifty minutes long. The school is centered on small learning communities known as academies. The school has over two thousand students. Wilmore High has a large Hispanic population. It is a reflection of the community where they are centered and because of this Hispanic teachers can have a large influence. That is why the teacher I interviewed has had such a positive effect on his students.

Mr. Ramirez has been teaching at Wilmore High for 32 years. He started when he was 24. He started out teaching English and Social Studies. In his early years, his peers did not look upon Mr. Ramirez favorably. He had a different way of teaching that didn't involve a stand and deliver approach. His tactics were ahead of their time. Mr. Ramirez is now a World History and U.S. History teacher in the video academy. The video academy allows Mr. Ramirez to integrate technology into many of his projects and has taken his projects based assessments to another level.

Walking into Mr. Ramirez's classroom is a quite a sight. The walls are covered with posters and images. Prominent Hispanics, such as Cesar Chavez, litter the walls. The rest of the room has students work. The variety of posters, timelines, and other poster projects shows the project-based curriculum that goes on in Room. 8. The desks are set in a U shape to facilitate discussion. The classroom has a bank of 8 computers and a projector.

Mr. Ramirez's philosophy of education is that it is the great equalizer. He believes, "it allows them to take control of their futures." Teaching in this city has really shaped Mr. Ramirez's perspective on education. Many of his students come from poor economic situations and he tries to help his students understand that education can open many doors. "It opens tremendous opportunities that they would not have under their current economic situations." Mr. Ramirez does see many issues in our education system today. He believes that modern day education does not have the best interests of the students at heart. He fears that the education system is more structured for the institutions rather than the kids. Most of all, Mr. Ramirez cares about his students, "I believe all kids can learn and I take the job seriously."

Mr. Ramirez is a firm believer in Gardner's Multiple Intelligence theory. He tries to structure his lessons around this theory and assessments are project centered, "in order to engage all my students." The book is used more as a reference than a bible. Mr. Ramirez believes in a student-centered classroom where he is more of a resource or "a coach," as he puts it. Mr. Ramirez is a firm believer in the introduction of technology in his classroom. Many of his students are challenged to extend their learning by using the Internet to explore subjects further.

When I asked Mr. Ramirez how he stays enthusiastic about teaching his response was, "the kids… the youth of the kids gives me energy to continue teaching the way I attempt to teach." Mr. Ramirez feels he has a responsibility to his students because "education is the last best chance many of our kids have." The belief that he is making a difference in the lives of these students is what drives him. Despite all the things modern day education can throw at him he manages to really focus on what is important, the kids. The final most rewarding thing for Mr. Ramirez is that he never knows which students he touches with his teaching until much later but he needs to believe he is making a difference and helping them to change their lives.

I think I have learned that the teaching profession can be a thankless job. As Mr. Ramirez has mentioned, you don't see the rewards of what you have done until much later. You have to believe that you are affecting these students and making a difference in their lives. Teaching is one profession where you can impact the lives of other people and help them to change their situations drastically. Recognition can be non-existent but you have to believe you are helping change their lives. If you don't, then you should leave the profession.

I have also learned that you should never compromise your beliefs on education just because you are feeling pressure from your colleagues. Mr. Ramirez cares for his students and because of that he will not allow them to fail. The kids really respond to that and it shows in the work they do for him. The children trust him and they have fun because of that trust. Trust is extremely important to your success as a teacher. If you show your students that you understand that their lives can be difficult, they respond.