My Interview with a 5th Grader

Episode 1: Interviewee: Sariah M. of Florence, SC

My Interview with a 5th Grader

My Interview with a Fifth Grader is a series of personal and inspiring interviews with current or rising fifth graders from all backgrounds discussing things that are most important to them, family, education, technology, and of course the future. Seeing the world through the eyes of the young boys and girls is not only enlightening but also encouraging because they see the positive side of things where as we adults often are cynical, narrow minded, and often times so jaded that we are unable or unwilling to see the positive side of what could appear to be negative and difficult situations.

In my first interview with fifth grader Sariah, I was not certain on what to expect, but I am glad to say that I was presently surprised. Sariah is a very smart, energetic, and charismatic young lady with a very bright future ahead of her. What I found most interesting is her understanding that her most difficult subject to learn was math but desired to put forth the hard work necessary to get better at it. When it comes to learning new things, difficult subjects, and undergoing challenges, Sariah is more than up to the task. She knows what is most important, her family, and she understands the importance of integrity, honesty, hard work, and humility.

Its amazing what you can learn from a child if you are willing to listen. Often what we take for granted, they understand that its perhaps the most important of things that we should cherish, spending time with our family. Children also know that life is hard enough without taking things too seriously. Which is why Sariah indicated that one of the most important characteristics for a good teacher to have is playfulness, as she put it “No one wants a grumpy teacher all the time!” This is perhaps the most honest and boldest of statements because it applies to everyone across the board. We all need to learn to not take ourselves so seriously, learn to laugh and be laughed at, and enjoy life’s tender moments when the come around because we may not always be able to indulge in them.

Another thing that Sariah made incredibly plain is the fact that people should not lie. When asked who her favorite superhero was and why she chose Wonder Woman because she is a girl, of course, and because she has the Lasso of Truth. When asked what she would do with the Lasso, she said she would use it to make people tell the truth. If only this was a real tool that we could use, I wonder how much different the world would be.

When it comes to future plans, Sariah was not certain about what she wanted to do with her life or what college she would attend, but she was certain that she wanted to be a Veterinarian and assured me that college was definitely in her future and she was already putting money in her piggy bank to go towards her education expenses. It was also clear that technology was an important factor in her life, while politics was not something that piqued her interest right now. Sariah was not able to articulate who she would vote for president in the upcoming election, but she could tell you all the tools and techniques her teachers used to make learning an enjoyable and meaningful experience for her and her fellow classmates. It was clear that learning and making new friends where at the top of her interests and she was determined to make the best of every opportunity afforded to her.

In closing, we can all learn a lot from Ms. Sariah. The importance of family and friends, spending quality time with the one’s we love and care about, education and taking advantage of the technology and tools available to help us advance, putting in the work to get what we want and need in life, and having both the determination and integrity to stand up for what we know to be right. Just think, if we all took these simple lessons from this impressive and intelligent fifth grader, how much easier, enjoyable, fulfilling, and rewarding our lives would be.

Interview Questions & Answers

1. Why did you decide to sit down with me today for this interview? Because I wanted to help.
2. If you could be any superhero who would you be and why? Wonder Woman because she is a girl and has the lasso of truth. I would use it to make people tell the truth because people should not lie, should they?
3. What would you say is your favorite activity to do with your family? Family game night, because it does not happen to often and I get to spend time with family and play games.
4. Right now, at this moment, what is most important to you? Celebrating my brother’s birthday. His birthday was Wednesday but we are celebrating it today.
5. Can you name five people, living or dead, that you would want to hang out with and learn from? Can you tell me why? Sacajawea– because she discovered the west of the U.S. and because she helps people and all with a baby on her back. I can’t think of anyone else right now.
6. What Did You Like Most About Elementary School? Seeing friends.
7. What will you miss most about elementary school? Seeing friends and learning new things, I love to do both!
8. What was your favorite subject? Art and Science
9. What is your favorite type of technology and why? Chromebook, because I can do multiple things on it, learning websites, video chat, learn new things, and play games and watch tv if I wanted.
10. What Do You Wish You Did in Elementary School that you didn’t get a chance to do? Work on my math.
11. Best or happiest memory from Elementary? When my teacher makes jokes because he makes me laugh.
12. What do you love to read outside of school? Wings of Fire, and other books from my brother’s collection.
13. Do you think computers are an important thing to learn how to use? Yes, because if you do something wrong your account it can be erased and that would be bad.
14. What computer program, if any, do you like to use the most and why? This is sand, because you can express your creative and artistic side.
15. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Japan because my teacher told me lots of cool stories who used to live there.
16. How are you planning for Middle School? I want to learn new things, meet new friends, and work on my math. I try to work on multiplication facts sometimes.
17. What Are You Looking Forward to The Most In Middle School? Being at a new school and making new friends because I will be going to the same school but in a different location.
18. How do you think Covid-19 otherwise known as the corona virus has affected your education? I don’t like it! Because it means I cannot go to school and see my friends. I can still learn new things but in the same way because I’m not able to interact with people.
19. What goals do you have for 6th grade? To get better at math; to learn new things; make more friends.
20. What is it you want to do when you finish high school? I have made several plans for the future but honestly do not know yet. Maybe rent an apartment, who knows. I want to be a veterinarian you know an animal doctor because I love the cute little animals and I want to help them.
21. Do you see college in your future? If so, what college or university would you like to attend? Yes but unsure where to go yet! But I told my mom and dad that I am definitely going to college and I am already putting money in my piggy bank to help pay for it.
22. Are you following politics at all? If so, who would you vote for president and why? I don’t really watch it and I don’t know much about politics. I listen to the news sometime but don’t pay attention that much. I would know who I would vote for president.
23. Who was your favorite teacher and why? My 4th teacher Mr. Abraham because he helped me and my classmates learn in a fun way, he told stories and made jokes, and used a lot of computer apps that were fun and helped us learn.
24. What traits/characteristics do you think a really good teacher should have? Smart, knowing how to read, and playfulness. No one wants a grumpy old teacher all the time.
25. If you had a choice of staying home for school or going to school every day which would you choose and why? I would rather to go to school, even though I like the comforts of home, I still would rather go to school so I can make new friends, learn art, and have fun at recess.