An Interview with John Benson
by Faolan A., 3rd grade
My third grade teacher is John Benson. I think that he is great because he’s funny in class, and if something is hard, he puts it in his own words and makes it easier and more fun. I did an interview with him to find out a little bit about him.
I asked John if he likes being a teacher. He said, “Yes, I like being a teacher because I get to work with all kinds of neat kids. They are so smart, I learn something new everyday.” He likes a lot of things besides teaching. He said, “I love my job but I do have other hobbies.” He has a cat named Squatchie who is polydactyl and has giant paws. John’s favorite lunch is a turkey sandwich and an apple. In his spare time he likes to read a nonfiction books, go to concerts and take pictures.
Back at school, his favorite subject to teach is math because he like to play with puzzles and braingames. John has been teaching twenty-eight years, the last five at Edison. That might seem like a long time, but John says he wouldn’t change jobs even if he could.
Faolan, as I said in my note to you, I think a lot of people will enjoy reading this, and will probably end up being inspired by a great teacher (and a great young writer!). Your handwritten headline adds a nice touch, too. What do you think John will do this summer when he doesn’t have a class full of cool kids like you?
Faolan and John, I hope one of you will tell us what it means to be polydactyl! Poly usually means more than one, and dactyl makes me think of pterodactyl… but I can’t figure it out! (I know I could look it up, but I want to hear it in your words!)