1. Multimedia Interview Tressa Morris Teaching Learning and Leading in the 21 st Century

2. Position: Lead Teacher Of West Elementary Pre-K Level Hi, I am Tressa Morris. I am applying to teach Pre-K at West Elementary. This position also includes being the lead teacher for the building. I have an Associate’s as well as a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am currently seeking my Master’s Degree in education with an emphasis on Special Education. I have been working for the Head Start program for the last 17 years. I have held many positions there including lead building teacher.

3. Educational Philosophy My Educational Philosophy is one that I allow the children to take the lead. Together as a group we will set clear and concise limits. These limits allow children to feel safe (Newman, 2013). I will provide the students with a nonjudgmental environment that encourages them to explore and learn on their own while I facilitate their knowledge (Obukhova, 2012). My activities will be engaging and inviting. The will also reflect the children in the classroom such as their environment and culture (Newman, 2013). I will include parents as I feel they are important in the child’s education. I do this with phone calls and news letters.

4. Classroom Management Plan I will first and foremost form strong and loving bonds with each child. Another important goal of the classroom plan is for children to gain autonomy, while learning to co-operate with peers and their teachers. The plan is put into place so that the children have an environment that allows them to learn as well as keep them safe (Reinke, Stormont, Webster- Stratton, Newcomer, & Herman 2012). Another purpose is to avoid distractions and interruptions to the children’s learning as much as possible. A well put together classroom encourages learning and discourages chaos. Having a routine that guides your day allows the children to know what is next. This offers comfort and reduces anxiety of the unknown (Newman, 2013). Children will know how to move throughout the classroom and the school building based on following the same routine (Reinke, Stormont, Webster-Stratton, Newcomer, & Herman 2012). I remain consistent as children need consistency

5. Classroom Management Plan Continued All rules are stated in a positive manner We use walking feet We use inside voices We keep our bodies to ourselves All redirection will be stated in a positive manner Joey is running, I will point out that Susie is using great walking feet. Once Joey complies say “look at Joey’s walking feet.”

6. Different School Models I recently had the opportunity to observe two different school models. A Child Directed Model and a Traditional Model. The Child Directed Model Fit my philosophy of the children constructing their own learning They were Free to be creative Technology was easily available and used These are 21 st century skills that are needed for success Traditional Model Children sat and were lectured to for hours Technology was rarely used It stifled the children’s creativity (Ted, 2012) No sign of 21 st century skills

7. Effective Lesson Planning Research- get as much knowledge as you can and glean from that knowledge, use multiple sources, other teachers, social media, the internet. Have clear Complete objectives that make sense. Make sure the knowledge is appropriate for the children Lesson should not only meet the goal of the child but go beyond to expand their learning. This is why backwards design is best. It starts with the goal then the assessment then the activities. The role of the child in an effective lesson plan is to be actively learning and using their imaginations (Newman, 2012).

8. Assessment Matters Assessment is best when it is used as a teaching tool instead of as the end result of something. We assess our students because we want to see them thrive and excel. We use the assessments to set goals for our students (Lopez,2013 ) Using assessment to see where not only a child needs help but where a teacher or a school may be weak helps to assure that all students will meet their goals. Summative and Formative assessments both have their place in a classroom but much more time should be spent on formative assessment as it is the one that gives ongoing feedback that allows you to adjust to your student's needs ( Stenhousepublishers, 2010 )

9. Professional Learning Communities A teacher needs to reflect upon themselves often in order to effective (Newman,2013) What are my student’s learning How can I help them learn Plan for their learning Teach the children Reflect again Apply what you know to help students learn It is a cycle that starts all over again

10. Professional Learning Communities cont. A teacher themselves should never stop learning themselves A teacher should be a role model or a leader to help others What teachers do in their own time is important too I am a staff mentor at my job I also am a part of the Big Brother’s and Big Sister’s Organization in our community I also spend time counseling and tutoring pregnant teens A teacher should belong to professional organizations to network and to learn (Newman,2013)

11. References Lopez, D. (2013). No excuses university: How six exceptional systems are revolutionizing our schools (2nd ed.). Turnaround Schools Publications. Newman, R. (2013).Teaching And Learning in the 21st Century: Connecting The Dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Obukhova, L. F. (2012). Vygotsky and Developmental Psychology in His and Our Time. Cultural-Historical Psychology, (1), 51-58. Stenhousepublishers. (2010, November 30). Rick Wormeli: Formative and summative assessment [Video file]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJxFXjfB_B4 TED. (2012, October 17). Stop stealing dreams: Seth Godin at The incredible years teacher classroom management program: Using coaching to support generalization to real-world classroom settings. Psychology In The Schools, 49(5), 416- 428. doi:10.1002/pits.21608