Matt Caduff, 2nd Grade Teacher, Stony Point Elementary School
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
High stakes assessments are an abysmal way to nurture or spark creativity in young learners. It is difficult to see students, parents, teachers and administrators be judged by such an idiotic system of accountability.
What’s the most common misconception about your job?
A lot of people think teaching is about curriculum. It’s really about empowering students to think independently.
Where do you see the teaching field in 5 years?
I hope teaching is more about learning.
What outside experience prepared you best to become a teacher?
I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. I believe all people should take steps out of their comfort zones from time to time. Additionally, working as an Instructional Coach was an eye-opening experience for me. The best part of that job was mentoring novice teachers. They taught me way more than I taught them.
