BYU-Idaho 101-FCS

FCS Professional Interview

Student Name: __Sharlyn Devenish ____________ Date: October 22, 2020________

Name of Person being interviewed: _Vonda Wangemann________________________________

Job title: _Teacher / Educator______________________________________________________

Education? (What Degree(s), Where, When, How Long?) ___At 19 years old she was excepted
to Brigham Young University in Provo Utah. There she attended college for 4 years, earning a
bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and a Gifted and talented endorsement. This
endorsement allows her to teach in advanced programs.

Why did they choose this FCS Profession? She chose teaching because it was a place where she
could use so many of her natural talents. She enjoys working with children and helping them__
succeed. She also enjoys learning about child development and the challenges that teaching__
brings. I loved it when she said this statement. “When you’re a teacher, you never stop____
learning”._______________________________________________________________

Describe their journey to obtaining the job they currently hold? (did they start out with this
current position in mind?) _Her first job as a teaching job was 3rd grade and she loved it she
really connected with them and felt younger children was her strength, then she married and had
children, supported her husband’s business while raising their children. She was involved in the
schools while her children were little, running school projects, PTA, Art programs. Then later_
when her children were older. She taught preschool for two years, then was hired as the Star___
Reading Coordinator for Lindon Elementary for 3years after that she took a break and started__
substituting and that’s when the principle from Lindon Elementary called her and said I have an
opening for a 5th grade teacher and I think you would be perfect for the job can you start next___
week. She had always taught younger grades and figured she would give it one year and if she__
did not like it she would quit. That was 4 years ago she loves working with 5th graders.________

What is their favorite part of the job: Her favorite part of her job is watching the children get
excited when they can see their own achievements, those ah ha moments remind her why she
went into teaching. ________________

What are some of the greatest challenges? Some of the biggest challenges for her is she reaching
those students who get it and move on quickly. She strongly desires for each student to learn and
grow in her class and it can be difficult to keep challenging those students that learn so quickly
and keep them naturally engaged. She loves her students and is passionate about challenging
them and making sure each child is learning on their individual levels.________________
Do they receive benefits? (Insurance, healthcare, etc…)_Yes as an teacher you receive health
insurance, 401k and State retirement.________________________________

Pay scale? ___It depends on what step you start your salary at. She started a little higher because
of her endorsement. Most people who go into teaching don’t make millions, the average starting
pay she thinks is around 30,00 a year._________________________________

What are some things they suggest someone focuses on to gain experience in this field? __Focus
on the latest trends, but keep a (tool box) of skills that worked and use them as you see fit. What
might be yesterdays skills could still have purpose for a child in the future. __

Student Reflection of the Interview

What personality traits does this person you interviewed possess? __She is kind, compassionate
friendly, flexible, and easy going. She does not get upset and allows an open mindset to guide
her in her teaching. She is always willing to learn new skills to help her students.

Which traits would you like to emulate in your professional life? I would like to emulate her
teaching skills and be calm and open minded about how to become a teacher. I will allow my
thoughts to be able to think of how to move forward and always focus on what is best for my
students._________________________________________________________________

What areas do you see in yourself that you can improve on to be a better professional in the
future that you can focus on right now? _I like what she said about keeping a (tool box) because
I really do think the best teachers have learned tricks along the way. To apply my tool kit I am
going to keep a journal of teaching moments labeled by what I learned so I can reflect on them
often and see how much I’ve have grown in my teaching abilities._______________________