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Can you tell us about yourself?

“Hello. My name is Kaitlin Mull. I am the elementary music teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, Virginia. I have been teaching here this is starting my 3rd year here at TJ, but my 5th year overall.”

Why did you start a career in education?

“I chose to start a career in education because I have always loved music and I have always loved teaching kids about music. And ever since I can remember that’s really what I wanted to do, is to help kids find their love for music like me.

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

“I am actually working on my master’s degree in educational technology. I really love technology and finding way to incorporate into the classroom. So, I’m trying to maybe figure out a way to be an ITRT but really focusing on the specials and the resource type classes and incorporating technology into those kinds of classes.

How are kids different now than 30 years ago?

“Its different from when you were in school especially if you are an elementary teacher because after you have gone through college, its been quite a few years. So, there are a lot of things that are different and every changing. It’s hard. It’s not what your teachers always made it out to be.”

How is teaching different now than 30 years ago?

“ I know as a teacher myself I always try to make it look like my job is easy and I have my life all together but in the end I spend a lot of extra hours at school that you don’t necessarily get paid for.

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

“If it is really what you want to do, go for it. if there is something else you are pursuing, you might want to try that first unfortunately. Just because they way people are perceiving teachers and education in general. We just aren’t important in their eyes which is really tough to hear.

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

“I really just wish I had unlimited resources. If I had unlimited resources, oh my goodness, I could help my kids learn so much in a way that is flexible for them. Each student is so unique and so different. I wish I had a classroom set of iPads in my room. I wish I had the ability for all my students to just be able find a they can sit, listen and learn comfortably. Things that are hard to change but would really really help me and my teaching style and my kind of music class environment style.