Sample Memo This sample memo demonstrates correct memo format. You will need to provide your own content. DATE: October 3, 2015 TO: Professor Shirene McKay FROM: Orlo Manning SUBJECT: Information-Gathering Interview I interviewed Glenda Sumsion, an elementary school teacher, to learn about teaching Elementary Education, Special Education, and Sign Language. We met right after school in her classroom where it was most convenient for her. The large amount of work required to teach surprised me, however, Ms. Sumsion’s love for the students and dedication inspired me to continue with a teaching career. I was also motivated to rehearse my questions more the next time I do an interview so the interview flows better. Elementary Education Ms. Sumsion thought that the teachers and experiences you have as a child have a great impact on your desire to be a teacher later in life. Almost everyone can remember their favorite teacher as a child and the influence they were to them. Teaching takes a lot of dedication. Many projects are required and many classes prepared. I never realized all of the preparation that goes into preparing the curriculum and making it memorable for the students. Teachers deal with many difficult tasks each day. One of these tasks is to keep a child’s attention for a long period of time. Another challenge is to deal with the few uncooperative children. Many different discipline actions have to be tried until one is found to work. Despite these challenges, teaching seems very rewarding. Ms. Sumsion has loved children all her life. Nothing could stop her from accomplishing her dream of being a teacher. The ability to teach a young child is priceless to her, and she wouldn’t change anything. Special Education Special Education takes a lot more work and dedication than teaching a regular class of children. These children have special needs, and all of their needs require special attention, which sounds very difficult to me. Parents are more involved with these children and sometimes can be overbearing. Each of these children has such different needs that it seems impossible to teach them all at the same time. The curriculum is not as advanced and fast-paced as that of a normal class. Communicating with these students is harder and definitely takes a lot of patience. These children seem harder to discipline, although I don’t think they would need to be disciplined as often. Getting attached to these children seems to be easy because they could grow so close to you and sometimes even become dependent on you. To me, teaching Special Education seems emotionally draining compared to other classes. I takes a very special person to teach Special Education. Sign Language My interviewee doesn’t teach sign language, but she uses it in school a lot. I would think learning how to sign would be hard for a deaf person because they can’t speak. However, it is just like a young chi.