Insight 2nd Ed_Peggy Mott

of bomb threats that disrupted the classroom period. The young man calling them in was eventually caught because he was making the calls from a phone booth on campus. What are two key behaviors/personality traits that allow you to be effective in your role? I don’t know when to shut up. I had a discussion with my first department chair when I started teaching at Southwest Texas. He asked me why I chose to become a sociologist and I looked at him and explained that I made the choice basically because I am nosey. He en- couraged me to use the term, “intellectually curious” instead. I just like to know what makes people do what they do when they do it. What is the most important issue/challenge you are dealing with in your industry right now? Well, my youngest daughter spent 35 years in the classroom at the middle and high school levels. I am concerned about schools reopening — the kids need to be in the classroom, but they all need to be safe, including the teachers. I am ambivalent about them reopening the schools. Especially at the lower grades, kids need to be in the classroom, they need to be socialized, and I am not sure all of the parents that have been homeschooling are even remotely qualified. My great-grandchildren are lucky enough that their mother is a teacher, so they have a better chance than perhaps some other child whose mother is either a stay-at-home mom, works as a cashier, or works in the foodservice industry. I know I wouldn’t have been qualified to teach my girls at that age. As I said, I am extremely ambivalent about them reopening the schools — if they are going to be reopened too soon, or not soon enough. How do you feel your industry has changed/evolved over time? Technology and having to input grades on the computer; having to write up your own tests and have themprinted. “ I’ve had students come to me and say, “Ms. Mott, I’ve changed my major to sociology after taking this class.ˮ ’ Second Edition | Marquis Who ’ s Who Insight 9 Instead of using an overhead, using a movie screen to show films on various topics that we cover all the time. What new innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? Social media. I am afraid it is going to have more influence. What excites you the most about your industry? A couple of years or so before I retired, we had either active duty or retiredmilitary students. They were such a joy because they were a little bit more open-minded than the kids. I really enjoyed having adults in my class. Of course, in college, they are all supposed to be adults, but students in the military were much more mature. Also, having the ability to affect students’ lives. I’ve had students come to me and say, “Ms. Mott, I’ve changed my major to sociology after taking this class.” That happened at least once or twice every school year, which would be every two semesters.