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Hi, my name's Caitlin Nguyen, I am a sixth-grade teacher in Utah at Mountain shadows elementary, and I have been there for, let us see, this will be my eighth year. I did two years in kindergarten, one year at first, and this will be my fifth year in sixth. So, I have completed seven years. I am starting my eighth. I

Why did you start a career in education?

I started a career in education because I really enjoy working with kids. I like seeing those light bulbs that go off when they finally understand something. And then honestly it was a good career to get into for someone who wanted to be a mom. So that was one of my biggest dreams growing up is to be a mom. And it just, it works. It is a good career for a parent

If you could have any other job what would it be and why?

So, if I could have any other job, what would it be and why? I would honestly just say being a stay at home mom or anything I could do from home to be at home with my daughter, just because she is my world and I would love to be home with her. I also love designing and doing things on the computer, creating things, so something in my graphic design and technology, it'd be cool to just because it's interesting to me and they could do it from home, but most likely, I don't know, never looked into it, but, um,

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

how are kids different now than 30 years ago? I think kids are more, let us see, just trying to figure out how to put it. They, they are very good with technology and they're very good at using technology to get things done. The reproductive using technology, enjoy using technology and they are efficient with it. I mean, even my one-year-old, who I try to keep away from screen time understand that you swipe on a phone. It just, they learn so quickly with technology and they like, it is like they have adapted to that and they just know technology. So, I feel like that is a very different aspect and kids.

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

How has, how has teaching different than 30 years ago? I mean, I feel like we have cut out a lot of like the cutesy, fru fru type stuff, like the fluffy filler stuff. And I think a lot of times people think that means we have cut out the fun stuff, but I would disagree with that

What would you tell someone who wants to become a teacher?

what would I tell someone right now that is thinking about becoming a teacher? A lot of, I think older teachers or teachers who have been in it a long time would say that we have cut out all the fun stuff and I disagree. I think we still have fun, but we have made education more purposeful. We are much more data-driven. We are much more goal-oriented. And I think it is just more, no-nonsense, but that does not mean we cut out the fun. We are just really pushing for a goal and striving towards progress and improvement. And so, it is just, it is just, there is much more goal orientation and, more focus to be successful, but I don't think you've taken out the fun of things. There are still many fun parts of teaching and you can make things fun. So, I think that is good to encourage teachers or new teachers or someone who wants to become a teacher.

What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better?

What is one thing you would change to help kids learn better? I mean, one thing is that I feel like kids learn so well. What's technology there is so motivated and driven by the desire to use technology. But I think there are still so many schools and kids and families who do not have access to that technology. And so there's a little bit of a disadvantage there when there are so many great tools out there, but they're just the lack of funding and education to provide the technology, to be able to do the new, fun things and use technology in a way that's going to motivate and drive kids. So, the one thing I think I would change overall would be maybe more funding to schools. I mean, in general, but especially for things like technology, I think would be a huge benefit. So, I really appreciate the opportunity you guys are giving us to get some headphones for our classrooms. That is an amended, a tremendous help, and I really, really appreciate it. So, thank you.