Interview with Mrs. Susan Roup
Cooper Jr. High School
Parties Present: Kylee Kerby and Susan Roup
Location: Cooper Junior High School – In Mrs. Roup’s classroom
Date: November 6, 2003
Start Time: 10:15am
End Time: 11:00 am
Mrs. Roups’s Background: Susan Roup was born in Plainview, Texas. She also graduated high school from Plainview. Later, she received her BS from Baylor University where she met her husband, Gary. Gary and Susan now have 17 year old twin boys, Ed and Steve. They currently attend Frenship High School. Susan enjoys gardening and has been at Cooper Junior High for four years.
Why did you become an educator? “I love children. It felt natural for me to become a teacher because I always imagined myself as one when I was a child.” Mrs. Roup also says she feels a great sense of accomplishment when she helps someone, especially children. She also said, “It’s such a great reward to help someone understand.”
How is discipline handled in your classroom? Mrs. Roup has a short, but effective set of rules. They are: Bring your supplies, Be on time, Remain seated, Be polite, respectful, and helpful, and when the teacher asks for your attention, stop what you are doing.
What was your first year of teaching like? “My first year, I was sent to a small school that was dramatically losing population. I taught Kindergarten my first year, and then went on to second and third grade.” Mrs. Roup said she loved the young children, but she knew her place was in a junior high setting.
How would you describe yourself as a teacher? “Teaching is like a heartbeat for me; I can’t do without it.” Mrs. Roup also said she feels that she challenges, yet still encourages her students to think about their futures.
How are lesson plans handled here at Cooper Junior High? The teachers make their own lesson plans two weeks in advance and e-mail them to the vice-principal for review.
How is technology implemented in this school? “We have technology everywhere!” said Mrs. Roup. Every class has a phone, TV, VCR, and at least one computer. The school also has two computer labs for student use.
Do you ever find yourself teaching only for the TAKS test? “Honestly, yes I do, but I think all teachers do at sometime.” Mrs. Roup also said that it’s not good to teach only for the TAKS test, but while the students are preparing for the test, they are still learning valuable life and educational lessons.
What is unique about you and your teaching? Mrs. Roup uses newspapers everyday for reading material in her classroom. The students all have a copy of the “Lubbock Avalanche Journal” to stay up on current events. She also won “Educator of the Month” by the “Lubbock Avalanche Journal” in September of 2002.
Summary: I really enjoyed observing Mrs. Roup. It was a real classroom setting, with real problems and especially real students. I got to see first hand the environment in an actual junior high school. I think Mrs. Roup handled all problems wonderfully. At first, I wasn’t sure about her because she seemed to let the students take control, but as time went by, I saw how great she really was. The students respect her and she respects the students. It’s a perfect relationship. I also really liked the fact that she involved me in so many ways. I got to know the students and was given the opportunity to help them in needed areas. Overall, I really enjoyed my field experience at Cooper Junior High with Mrs. Roup.
Last Updated: July 26, 2004