By Penelope K.
Mrs. Fletcher  is a music teacher at Hampton Elementary School.

Penelope: What do you like about virtual school?
Mrs. Fletcher: I like that I can be home with my kids and help them. With virtual music though, we can't sing or play as many instruments. I also wish more people would turn on their cameras.

Penelope: How long have you been in  Hampton Elementary School?
Mrs. Fletcher: 17 years

Penelope: What do you like to do during your free time?
Mrs. Fletcher: I like to play with my kids, play games, bike, walk, play in the pool, hike, sing in  the choir at church, jogging, puzzles, reading and watching movies.

Penelope: What are your favorite board and card games?
Mrs. Fletcher: Uno and trivia games.

Penelope: What do you like to do with your kids?
Mrs. Fletcher: We play football, baseball and hide in go seek.

Penelope: How is music different today to when you were a kid?
Mrs. Fletcher: When I was a kid we sat in chairs and sang from a book. I don’t remember playing instruments or moving around as much.

Penelope: If you could give advice to someone who wants to be a music teacher, what would it be?
Mrs. Fletcher: Be flexible, learn as many instruments and music as you can, always look for new ideas and always have fun with what you do. 

Penelope: Do you play any instruments if so what are they?
Mrs. Fletcher: I sing. That was my primary instrument. I took piano lessons for 11 years. I play the recorder, and I play the guitar but I don’t know the guitar very well.

Penelope: Do you still play any of those instruments now?
Mrs. Fletcher: Yes, except the guitar.

Penelope: Did you teach any other grades?
Mrs. Fletcher: I did teach at a middle  school.

Penelope: Did you always want to be a music teacher?
Mrs. Fletcher: I thought about being a math teacher and a nurse.

Penelope: What is your favorite movie and why?
Mrs. Fletcher: Sound of Music. It’s a musical. I got to visit where it was filmed in Austria.

Penelope: What are your other favorite musicals?
Mrs. Fletcher: I love all the Disney movies that have singing in them, Wicked and My Fair Lady.

Penelope: Did you ever sing or play in your school musicals?
Mrs. Fletcher: Yes, I was in my fifth grade musical and sang Tomorrow from Annie. I was in the chorus of Annie Get Your Gun in high school. I was the lead of Guys and Dolls. I used to sing musicals on a dinner train when I was in college. It was like dinner theatre and I did White Christmas and Oklahoma.

Penelope: Do you think Hampton will ever do a musical?
Mrs. Fletcher: I think if we were to ever do a musical we would need a lot more help. To do a musical like Annie or The Lion King we would need to have lots of other help, like more teachers and students from other grades involved. I would be willing to do it if we had more help.

                                                                     By Amany A. & Harper M.

Ms. Russo is Elementary librarian at Hampton Elementary school.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Reporter 1: Do you like Hampton so far?
Ms. Russo: Yes
Reporter 2: What games do you like to play?
Ms. Russo:  Among us, sardine, the board game clue, and animal crossing.
Reporter 1: Do you like this schedule better than last year?
Ms. Russo: I don’t know.
Reporter 2: What secret are there in the teachers lounge?
Ms. Russo: In our old school we shared food/ made food for each other
Reporter 1: Do you have any other pets than june (cat)?
Ms. Russo: no
Reporter 2: If you weren't an elementary school librarian what would you be?
Ms. Russo: A spy
Reporter 1:What are your hobbies?
Ms. Russo:   I likes to ice skate, read books about dragons, and I like to play with my cat, June
Reporter 2:What games do you like to play?
Ms. Russo: Among us, sardine, the board game clue, and animal crossing. 
Reporter 1: Do you enjoy working with kids?
Ms. Russo: yes! Of course I do.
Reporter 2: Where did you work before Hampton.
Ms. Russo: High school. 

​

                                                                     By Penelop K. & K.B.S.I

Penelope: How do you like teaching at Hampton Elementary School?
Mrs. Pawliske: Hampton is great. I was a second grade teacher for a while. Now I am a STEM teacher.

Penelope: Why did you decide to become a STEM teacher?
Mrs.Pawliske: I like messy projects and I like a change. I had been teaching first and second grade for over 23 years.

Penelope: What is your favorite STEM project?
Mrs. Pawliske: Teaching online is hard but right now, I would say, Kindergarten and first grade are making straw rockets and boats.

Ivie: Do you speak any other languages besides English?
Mrs. Pawliske: Um.No use to speak french but i haven’t studied in awhile.

Ivie: Do you like shows and if so what genre?
Mrs. Pawliske: I like  drama. I don't do horror.
 
Penelope: Why did you start the Hampton Green School?
Mrs. Pawliske: One of my favorite hobbies is hiking. I am almost outside all the time when it’s not cold.

Ivie: What are your favourite seasons?
Mrs. Pawliske:Summer.

Ivie: Some kids don't have material?
Mrs. Pawliske:Yeah we tell all students who don’t have the materials to go to the school and get it.

Penelope: What is some advice you would give to someone? 
Mrs. Pawliske: For anyone? I think you have to learn how to use your hands. I think kids are on screens too often.

Ivie: Do you like Anime?
Mrs. Pawliske: I Like cartoons.

Penelope: Mrs. Patek told us that you have kids older than us. What do you like to do with them?
Mrs. Pawliske: We do lots of really long bike rides. Soon I am going to teach my daughter how to drive a car.


​

                                                                   By Zoey Marie & Silas P.
Mrs. Chaney is a special educator at Hampton Elementary.
​
Zoey Marie: What advice would you give someone who wants to be a teacher?
Mrs Chaney: I would make sure that they’d want to and that they come up with a bunch of ways to help people.

Zoey Marie: If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
Mrs. Chaney: Ooh that's a hard one...
I would probably be a baker because I love to bake.

Zoey Marie: What are some things you do outside of school?
Mrs. Chaney: I love to read. I have three boys, so I love to run around and play with them outside.

Zoey Marie: How has your job changed?
Mrs. Chaney: The grade levels I had to teach. Originally I taught 4th and 5th grade. Then, I went to Hampton and I started teaching pre-k. Now, I am a special educator.

Zoey Marie: Do you like working with students?
Mrs. Chaney: I love working with students. We always have a fun time learning and laughing.

Zoey Marie: What secrets are in the teacher’s lounge?
Mrs. Chaney: Oh, wouldn’t you like to know!

Silas P. : Did you work somewhere else?
Mrs. Chaney: I did. I worked in a school in Virginia for 6 years and at elmwood for 15 years.

Silas P. : Do you prefer in person or virtual class
Mrs. Chaney: 100% more in person. Way more fun.

Silas P. : Did you always want to be a teacher
Mrs. Chaney: I have always. When I was little, I was a lifeguard and I taught swimming and I loved it.

Silas P. : Are there any pros to virtual learning?
Mrs. Chaney: I love that I don’t have to drive to work every day and I love that I can wear very comfortable clothes from the waist down and no one will notice.
​
Silas P. : What is your favorite subject to teach?
Mrs. Chaney: I love teaching reading. Like teaching how to read.

                                                                 By Amany A. & Silas P.
Mrs. Frijia is the ESOL teacher at Hampton Elementary School.

Do you enjoy working with kids?: 
Love it. I have the best job ever.

How long have you been working with kids?:
17 years.

What are your hobbies?:
I love to travel, read, go places with my family, go to the beach, and cross stitch.

Do you have another job then a teacher?:
Yes. I am a licensed social worker and used to work with children and families
 
Which school do you prefer working at?:
Hampton is the best school!

What is the other school you work at?:
Rider wood elementary school

Did you always plan to do this?:
Yes because children are fun to work with.

If you weren’t a teacher what would you be?:
I would probably resume my social career.

Do you prefer online or in person school?:
No, I would love to go back to school.

Are there any pros to online school?:
We are saving pollution and I get to wear whatever I want.

What secrets are in the teacher’s lounge?:
There's a soda machine, there is no snack machine, but there is a fridge.

                                                                         By Harper M. & K.B.S.I.

Mrs. Francis is a second grade teacher at Hampton Elementary School

This interview has been edited and condensed.
Reporter 1: Do you like anime?
Mrs. Francis: I don't know I feel bad *Laughter* not answering!
Reporter 2: How many years have you been teaching at Hampton?
Mrs. Francis: umm.. visible confusion*7?I have been teaching 16 years at Hampton.
Reporter 1:What other grades have you taught besides second grade?
Mrs. Francis: I taught 3rd grade.
Reporter 2:What do you like to do in your Free Time?
Mrs. Francis: I like to read, garden, and hike.
Reporter 1:Do you like horror movies?
Mrs. Francis: No-
Reporter 1:what about you harper?
Reporter 2:No!
REPORTER 1:SO IM THE ONLY- *More laughter*I’M-I’M THE ONLY ONE?
Reporter 2: What is your favorite part of teaching second grade?
Mrs. Francis: My favorite part is the hugs at the end of the day.

                                                                             By Penelope K.

Mrs. Cavender is a physical education teacher at Hampton Elementary School.

Penelope: When did you start teaching?
Mrs. Cavender: I started being a substitute in September 2003. Then I started being a permanent teacher in 2004.

Penelope: What do you like about online teaching?
Mrs. Cavender: I really enjoy using the music and videos. I don’t usually get to use technology stuff in the gymnasium because we are one of many gymnasiums that has no technology. I think the greatest part of being online is that I can be with my family.  

Penelope: Since you said you like movies, which one is your favorite?
Mrs. Cavender: So, one of the first movies that comes to my mind is Hook because when I was younger I loved the story of Peter Pan. It was my favorite. When Hook came out it was such a different spin on the story that I thought it was really really cool.

Penelope: What are some of the changes in PE from when you were a student to now?
Mrs.Cavender: I think the biggest changes are that my school used to have a dodgeball unit. So many different dodgeball games! I remember I was taught how to ride a bike on our hard courts. Back then there was more physical stuff and games. Now, the focus is more towards the physically fit and healthy lifestyle.

Penelope: Did you always want to be a teacher?
Mrs. Cavender: When I was in third grade, I had a teacher who made learning fun. I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the third grade.  Of course at one point I also wanted to be a soccer player.

Penelope: What is your favorite subject?
Mrs. Cavender: I gotta say reading. I like having conversations about books. Reading them and asking questions about them, like what is your favorite part? Why did you think the character did that?

Penelope: What is your favorite book to read in school out of the curriculum as a teacher?
Mrs. Cavender: The BFG by Roald Dahl, because in the book the way the BFG talks are funny and it’s spelled wrong. When I would read it aloud and speak funny.  It was my favorite to read and funny.

Penelope: What is your favorite sport and non-sport exercise?
Mrs. Cavender: Soccer and HIIT training.

                                                             By Amany A. & Harper M.

Mr. Carp is a 5th grade teacher at Hampton Elementary school
This interview has been edited and condensed

Reporter 1: How long have you been teaching at Hampton?
Mr. Carp: 5 years
Reporter 2: What is your favorite Game?
Mr. Carp: Assassin creed
Reporter 1: Do you like virtual learning?
Mr. Carp: yes and they can help each other with spelling and stuff.
Reporter 2: What other grades have you taught other than fifth grade?
Mr. Carp: Third grade.
Reporter 1: Do you like your job?
Mr. Carp: yes!
Reporter 2: What secrets are there in the teachers lounge?
Mr. Carp: Um, an old popcorn machine may work.
Reporter 1: What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Mr. Carp: archaeologist
Reporter 2:  What advice would you give someone who wants to be a teacher?
Mr. Carp: Be patient
Reporter 1: Do you like the schedule this year more than last year?
Mr. Carp: Yes!

                                                                     By Zoey Marie & Silas P.
Mr. Wade is a fourth-grade teacher at Hampton Elementary School.
​
Zoey Marie: Which do you prefer, online or offline schooling?
Mr. Wade: I think I like in-person class more because I can see what you’re doing, I can see people’s facial expressions for whether they need help or not. Though, in online class you can mute people and turn your camera off. So, in-person class I think is better, but online class has its pros.

Silas P. : How long have you been at Hampton?
“I have been at Hampton for 30 years.”

Zoey Marie: How do you feel about your job? Do you like it or not?
Mr. Wade: Yeah, I love it, I really do. I can’t see myself do anything but teaching. Why that is is that I like helping people and I can be more creative to help people. I need to figure out how to get around a kid’s problem so they can learn. Teaching is just very fulfilling.

Zoey Marie: What’s your favorite subject?
Mr. Wade: Ooh, that’s a good one. Y’know, that's changed in the past. It was science because I really liked teaching science because we had a space unit. But that changed and it wasn't as interesting anymore. So then it was social studies. It is now math because it’s black and white. You know the right answer. ELA isn't my favorite to teach but I like how kids become more expressive from the beginning to the end of the school year and it becomes more colorful. 

Silas P. : What are your hobbies?
Mr. Wade: One of the things I do for exercise is hiking/paddling. I’ll read and I have a few favorite shows.

Zoey Marie: What other jobs have you had?
Mr. Wade: Well, I have, but they were summer jobs I had. In 1986 I started working at a record store. Then, I stopped and delivered glass in a pickup truck. One summer I worked for grass cutting. Next landscaping. Then, I had a job where we’d go to Macy’s’ and other stores and count the items on each shelf with a team of 20 people just counting things in the store. One time, we did a home depot and it took a really long time. Though, these things weren’t careers. Now, I try saving some to not work in the summer.

​

                                                                            By Penelope K.

Senora Gallardo is a Spanish teacher at Hampton Elementary School. 

Penelope: How long have you taught at Hampton Elementary?
Senora Gallardo: This is my seventh year.
Penelope: Did you always plan to be a teacher?
Senora Gallardo: When I was younger, I wanted to be a veterinarian. I realized how much bloody stuff there is. Then I was a translator. 
Penelope: Did you like being a translator?
Senora Gallardo: I liked being a translator.
Penelope: What did you do after being a translator?
Senora Gallardo: I was going to be an elementary teacher. Instead I became a passport teacher.
Penelope: How many languages do you speak?
Senora Gallardo: I joke that I speak 3½ because I speak Italian, English, Spanish and French, but I have not practiced French in a while.
Penelope: Do you teach languages other than Spanish?
Senora Gallardo: No, but the students try to get me to speak the other languages.  
Penelope: Do you like online school or do you prefer in person school?
Senora Gallardo: I like that I don’t have to drive everywhere, but I do miss seeing the kids.
Penelope: So, do you still go to other schools?
Senora Gallardo: Virtually I meet 4 schools. Believe it or not, I used to go to more schools before.
Penelope: What are some of the things you like to do outside of school?
Senora Gallardo: Spending time with my family and watching my daughter ride her horse.
Penelope: When did she start riding?
Senora Gallardo: 1½ years ago. I asked her what she wanted to do. She said either archery or horseback riding. I didn’t want her shooting arrows everywhere. 
Penelope: How many pets do you have? 
Senora Gallardo: 4 pets. 3 dogs and a cat.
Penelope: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a passport teacher?
Senora Gallardo: Be flexible. Have fun. And don't over stress things. Not everything has to be perfect. Also, have a full tank of gas.
Penelope: Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Senora Gallardo:  I go to the beach each year, but my favorite is with my family.
Penelope: Where is your family?
Senora Gallardo: I don’t have family in the US. My mom and sister live in Spain and the rest of my family lives in Italy.
Penelope: With your family living so far away, what did you do for the holidays this year?
Senora Gallardo: We video chat using Whatsapp to call family. There is a 6 hour difference so when it’s the afternoon for us, they are getting ready for bed. 
Penelope: Where is the furthest you have traveled in the US?
Senora Gallardo: I have only traveled on the East Coast but I want to travel farther. The furthest I’ve gone in the US is Panama City in Florida on the Gulf Coast. The water there was green and blue.