Ms. Rainey Interview

MB: Why did you pick being a teacher as your profession?

ER:  I love to learn, and I discovered that I really loved helping other people learn. My second grade teacher Mrs. Olson always had me helping the other kids and I loved doing it. I still do.

MB: If you could go back in time would you change anything for or about your teaching career?

ER:  Everything I’ve learned has brought me to where I am now, the good and the bad. No, I wouldn’t change anything.

MB: What’s your favorite part of teaching?

ER:  Working with the students, and seeing that flash of “Oh! I got it!”show on their faces. At that moment I know my life is well spent.

MB: Do you have any advice for aspiring teachers?

ER:  Go into teaching with your heart because you’re not going to get rich monetarily, but you will have a rich soul. You may not get fame, as you would as a lawyer or a doctor or a football player, but when an adult comes up to you in a store and says “Ms. Rainey, this is my son and I want him in your class because I was in your class.” That’s the best feeling. Make sure you’re doing it to improve the universe.

MB: If you could go back in time, would you still be a teacher?

ER:  Absolutely. However, I do not limit myself to just teaching in a class room.  I write, I collect things, I sell on Ebay, I have a ministry and I sing in the choir. I have a very full life, and teaching is a vital part of that life but it isn’t the only thing in it.

MB: How do you balance your writing career and your teaching career?

ER:  When I’m at school I’m teaching 110% of the time, but when I’m at home I spend time working on my other creations. To not waste time, I don’t watch television. I use time that most people use watching television I spend my time writing, ministering, singing *laughing* and I also save time by not cleaning my house.