Teacher Interview
November 19, 2019
Christopher Clifford, a high school success teacher at Renton High School, taught at this school for two years now. He continues to teach here, helping students find success and what it means to be successful. For the past two years, teaching here has been a roller coaster. Having to deal with students who do not want to engage and simply wanting to help them as much as he can, sometimes can be a frustration he experiences every day.
59-year-old Christopher Clifford usually begins his class by taking attendance at his desk while his students enter taking their seats in his classroom. He walks in front of the class informing his students about their assignment for the day with his loud, roaring voice as if he was having a talk with his team after a football game. During the interview, I asked him what his strengths are as a school employee, and he replied, “We’re supporting you. Not just academically, we’re supporting you on all elements of your growth.” He tries to be as involved as he can with his students inside and outside of school as much as he can. Attending school events such as games and chaperoning school dances are a few things he likes to be involved in and giving support to his students; he also considers this to be one of his greatest strengths as a teacher.
“I enjoy teaching. I anticipate continuing to teach high school. Hopefully for anywhere from five to ten more years.” — C. Clifford
In his 18 years of experience, he has had many jobs in schools. He began his coaching experience as a football and track coach for two high schools in Seattle called Kings High School as well as Lakeside High School. This continued from the years 1980 to 1985. Then, moving on to teach at another high school named Mount Tahoma in Tacoma.
Living here for 35 years, he chose to begin teaching at Renton High School because it reminded him of the neighborhood he grew up in and enjoyed working with kids that looked like the kids he grew up with. When asked what his short term or long term career goals would be, he replied, He plans to continue teaching at Renton High School, but those plans may change in the future. Prior to teaching here, he has been offered legislative work along with being asked to work at some colleges.
Teaching for so long and going through many experiences as a teacher, he would say that adding the English AP program and getting it started was one of his successes being a teacher. This is because the number of students he taught started off with a small number of 15 students. And then, throughout him teaching this class, ended with 104 of 120 seniors requesting to be a part of the AP English program the year he left his previous school. Later elaborating, “I like that students wanted to engage at a higher level of learning and that they felt the environment in my room was safe enough to do that.”
“I enjoy teaching… and the fact is that if I have mastery of a topic, and I’m comfortable with it, I feel that I should be able to deliver it.” — Mr. Clifford
One of his strongest beliefs as a teacher is that during a conflict, it is important to talk things out instead of letting the issue fester. He believes this to not only be a good work ethic, but also a good personal attribute to have in order to be professional in the workplace. He also stated during the interview that even being on an 80 person staff, not everyone will get along. But it is very important to have a serious work relationship with your co-workers.
Finally, I asked him what made him choose the subject he currently teaches, and he answered saying, “My belief is this, “I enjoy teaching… and the fact is that if I have mastery of a topic, and I’m comfortable with it, I feel that I should be able to deliver it.”
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