Teacher Interviews Standard #3 learning environments: the teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interactions, active encouragement in learning and self-motivation.

Tell me about yourself as a teacher Ms. Harriman A: Why did you decide to enter teaching? “I have always liked children and working with them. I wanted to have a career that I would enjoy going to work everyday.’’ B: How many years have you been teaching? “this is my 6th year at Brooklyn, my third year teaching kindergarten.” C: what grade levels have you taught? “My first three years I was an intervention aid for grades k-5, for the past three years I have taught kindergarten. Mrs. Gonzalez. A: why did you decide to enter teaching? “I did an observation in high school.” B: how many years have you been teaching? “This is my 8th year teaching.” C: what grade levels have you taught? “I did title I Reading, 5th grade and 3rd grade.”

What are the traits of an effective teacher What are the traits of an effective teacher? What is the single most important quality a good teacher possesses? Mrs. Gonzalez : “You need to be flexible, caring, understanding, organized, passionate, attention, to details.” “You must be very passionate. That is a important quality to have.” Ms. Harriman : “I think an effective teacher must have a holistic approach – he or she should be concerned about the whole student. Not just the mental or academics. A teacher should be dedicated and willing to go the extra mile. “ I think the most important quality is dedication.

What are your values, beliefs or philosophy about the teaching profession? Have they changed over the years, how? Ms. Harriman: I believe in a holistic approach to teaching. If a child is hungry, he will not focus at school. If he is worried about something at home or is never showed love he may act out for attention. It is important to meet all. There needs. Mrs. Gonzalez: I believe that you have to be passionate about your students and what you teach. Otherwise they wont get excited about it either.

Tell me about your classroom and teaching. Strategies. Ms. Harriman A: How is your classroom arranged to optimize teaching? “everything has its place and the kids know it. We have a rug that we meet at to have a daily discussions. The students do a lot or group work too. Helping others is important. What are your strategies for effective classroom expectations? I have high expectations and I do allow them to slide. At the beginning of the year I go through procedures several times and we practice all procedures. The get awarded for good behavior and doing what they need too. What types or. Lesson plans do you create? I have a weekly lessons planned. Out and I am constantly checking to make sure I am coving everything. I also do a system called daily five. They do word work, writing, partner reading, read-to-self, listen to read and that really helps them. We also do math skills everyday. Mrs. Gonzalez A: I have the kids in groups to promote working together. My classroom is set up into 6 different areas (math, read to self, read to someone, word work, listen to reading and work on writing.) B: I have points that they can earn as a group. The winning team gets to pick a prize from the prize box at the end of the week. Individual students can earn fuzzies and when they get there cup full they choose from a variety of rewards. As a group they can fill up a marble jar and earn a ‘top secret’ reward. C: I try to create engaging hands on lessons when at all possible I feel the students learn better that way. All of my lessons are based on state standards. I have a flip chart of all of them that I use to plan with.

For you what are the most exciting aspects of teaching and your work? Ms. Harriman: The most exciting part of teaching is to see the students learn. Sometimes you don’t even notice its happening and then all a sudden they read something or say something and your like wow you ARE listening and learning. Mrs. Gonzalez: The most exciting aspect of teaching is seeing the kids light up when they learn something new.

Who has given you the most support in learning to be an effective teacher? Ms. Harriman: almost everyone at Brooklyn has been awesome in helping me become a more effective teacher. I can go to them any time to bounce ideas off of them or go see how they do things in their rooms. Mrs. Gonzalez: my co-teacher really helps me out a lot.

How do you encourage involvement of parents and families in the school and your classroom? Ms. Harriman: parent involvement is important. We send home weekly newsletters that also include ideas to do at home. We send home specific homework activities that parents do WITH their children. Title I sends home all kinds of ideas and also invites parents in for workshops. Parents are invited to volunteer in for parties field trips. Etc. Mrs. Gonzalez: we have newsletters and I text some parents too. We have a website called remind101.com also.

How much time do you spend outside of school preparation and grading? Ms. Harriman: it kind of depends on the time of year it is and what's going on. But on an average week I come in an hours and a half early and am there an hour after school. I normally spend about two to three hours out of the classroom.

What advice would you give to a future teacher? Teaching is getting more difficult. Rules, polices, laws, etc. Make sure it is REALLY what you want to do and don’t be expecting a great salary. Make sure you are willing to put in extra hours, love the kids, jump through hoops, and do whatever it takes for the sake of the children. Mrs. Gonzalez: you have to really love what you do. You have to make sure it is exactly what you want to do. If you don’t love it and the students it will all become overwhelming.

My Own Qualities and Traits As a inspiring teach I have the qualities of patience and understanding which I think is something a teacher most definitely needs. I think as a teacher you need to have a way of understanding there are all kinds of family situations. Also every child is different and some may need you to be their push and inspiration. I have a mothering quality to myself and I think that will come out more as I’m a teacher and I will be able to really help the students.

References Mrs. Harriman and Mrs. Gonzales