Interviews with New Teachers: Gentry and Jordan

Interviews with New Teachers

By Joseph Candelaria and Chanel Keovoravongsa

This article is for those who would like to know more about some of the new teachers we have here at Poston this year.  Mr. Gentry and Mr. Jordan are our interviewees, and we were delighted to discuss with them and ask them questions pertaining to their teaching experience thus far:

1: Do you have any prior teaching experience before working at Poston?

Mr. Gentry: Yes, my first school I taught at was at Circle Cross Ranch.

Mr. Jordan: This is my first year at Poston Butte, but this is my 10th year teaching. Prior to PBHS, I spent 9 years in the Chandler School District:
3 years at Bogle Junior High School
4 years at Casteel High School
2 years at Arizona College Prep High School

2: What unexpected challenges have you encountered in your first quarter and a half of teaching, and how have you adapted to overcome them?

Mr. Gentry: The biggest thing for me has been pacing.  I have plenty of information to give but sometimes I get going and finish teaching my lesson way early.  So I have been going over my lesson plans and practicing it over and over to make sure I have plenty of time.

Mr. Jordan: The biggest challenge has been learning a new school district and learning the ways of PBHS. Every new place you go comes with new challenges.  Learning the needs of students at Poston Butte High School has been the biggest challenge.

3: How do you believe your teaching style or approach has evolved since the beginning of the school year, and what factors contributed to these changes?

Mr. Gentry: Due to the type of classes I teach, I have been able to let the class flow in any direction the students take it.  My classes are more critical thinking than anything else.  So I give my students plenty of time to think through the material so they can argue both sides of any debate.

Mr. Jordan: My teaching style has adapted because making personal connections with students has been vital to getting students to perform. I have had to spend time learning about my students to help give them what they need.

4: Can you share a memorable moment or experience from the start of the school year to now that had either a significant impact on your teaching and what you learned from it, or you just thought it was funny and enjoyable?

Mr. Gentry: Most students didn’t realize that I had 2 of my sons in one class so I made a joke that I was going to go on a date with their mom and the whole class erupted and started laughing not realizing I was talking about my wife. 

Mr. Jordan: I think the funniest aspect of my year so far is that I am the lone male teacher in the English department.