Daniela Olalde

Interview
Green-4
3/23/17

Capstone Interview with Mrs. K. Scarmalis

1. What is your educational background?

I began my studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey as a French major. I studied
linguistics and the processes involved in language learning. I also completed a degree at the
John Jay College of Criminal Justice as a Forensic Psychology major, and completed a Masters
Degree in Psychology at Florida State University.

2. Originally how did you become interested in teaching?

In many ways I have always been a teacher. From the age of ten, I would conduct a one-
room schoolhouse in my basement in my family home. I would round up young students and
force them to take lessons with me. I had a regular set-up, with a chalkboard and desks.
As a professional I became interested in foreign languages, and intended to become a
French teacher. I gravitated over to teaching elementary school in Florida, where I received
training in teaching ESOL.

3. Why did you choose to teach ESOL?

Actually teaching ESOL was not my first choice in life. When I came to Lee County I
interviewed for a couple of teaching positions. The funniest situation was when I tried to
convince a principal that I would love to become her new 1st grade teacher. NOT GOING TO
HAPPEN! (Well, I was desperate!) Dr. Johnson saw right through me and turned me down.
However it worked out well, because this same principal put my name forward when she heard
that a position had opened up for an ESOL teacher.

4. What do you find to be the best part of your job?

Thats easy - its working with children. I love watching their clever minds expand and
grow as they learn new concepts. They way that students process information and meet new
challenges is very gratifying.

5. What part of your job do you like the least?

Well, to be honest, I miss the respect that teachers used to enjoy as professionals. As you
may have guessed, I have been at this a long time and have seen many changes, not all good
ones. Administrators used to have greater confidence in their teachers; it was not as necessary to
prove how competent a teacher was in the classroom. I find it very frustrating to see how
standardized testing is used and abused in recent times.
6. Do you feel that you have had an impact on the students that youve taught? If so in what
way?
I have always wondered about that very issue. I am not certain how much of an effect I
have had on the majority of students that I have taught, but I know I have had a strong influence
in the lives of a few.
Let me tell you about the story of Eva. She was one of those uncertain students that
teachers struggle with. Evas main bugaboo was math. We worked hard together and she finally
got a firm grasp of the math standards that were required. Several years went by. I didnt think
about Eva very frequently. One day she showed up and popped her head in my classroom. She
had made one of those life decisions and wanted to share it with me. I was speechless as she told
me, Guess what I decided to become when I graduate college? - - Im going to be a math
teacher!
It was an unbelievable moment for both of us.

7. Have you ever been a mentor to someone? If so who?

Well I cant mention the boys name, as he is currently a student at LCHS. Yes, I
mentored a young man whose life circumstances are not the best. We went through tough times
together. Sometimes he made mistakes - - big ones. Yet somehow we got him through and he is
now very successful.

8. What aspects of this Capstone project do you find interesting?

I am always interested in human interactions of all sorts. While teaching in Florida, I

earned my Masters degree in Psychology. The entire process of how people go about making
decisions is something that I find fascinating. To be able to create a scenario that would
influence peoples decisions (through propaganda) fascinates me.