1. The Big Interview Tracy Stuart EDU 650 Professor Sandra Calderon JANUARY 19, 2015

2. Introduction Hello, my name is Tracy Stuart and I wish to apply for the position of sixth grade Social Studies teacher. I have taught in the educational field for seven years and at the school in which I am applying to for four of those years. I have a successful classroom due to my skills and abilities in classroom management, and creating a positive learning environment for my students. I believe that education is not just about learning but also about caring and sharing, with not only students, but the team in which you work with to move learning forward.

3. PHILSOPHY OF EDUCATION  My philosophy of education is one that is teacher guided and student influenced. The pressure is always placed on teachers to teach students, but the recognition of peer-to-peer influence is often not used. Students can have the biggest influence on learning from each other. “Preparing students for new models of work requires new models of teaching and learning. The first one to consider takes the traditional classroom and turns it upside down” (Newman, 2013, Ch. 1.2). This is positive change that can influence the entire school and community. We have to remember what helps our schools influences our community.

4. Classroom Management  When we think about classroom management we think simple rules and regulations, but that is not just what it is about. As a learner I had it explained to me by one of my Professors that it is also about the caring and nurturing support of the learners. We arrange our classrooms in an order that is conducive to learning but the students need to know that you the teacher is teaching from the heart. That you are their for them. The collaboration of learning between the students and the teacher creates an environment that is focused on learning.

5. Different School models  There are different school choices in which to choose from in today’s society. We have choices such as public schools, charter schools, magnet and even private schools to choose from. The options are there for parents to choose, but we have to remember that there is a difference of factors in each choice such as, funding and legislation factors. I recommend public schools because the landscape is forever changing to meet the needs of the students, and the in-person rotation model is just the right model to help shape the new landscape.

6. SCHOOL MODELS: IN-PERSON ROTATION  In-person rotation at the secondary level combines both face-to- face teaching with digital teaching.  It enables teachers to manage classroom time swapping instructional time with technology based instruction.  This enable students who are in need of instructional time to have that face-to-face time.  This also allows time for teacher planning and collaboration.  (Public Impact, 2012).  This model could be used in some courses or all courses.

7. Effective Lesson Planning and Design  When using effective lesson plans we identify a course of action that can effectively reach goals that where planned for. “ Lesson planning establishes a road map for instructors of what has been taught and what needs to be taught” (TEAL, 2012). Before creating an effective lesson plan we have to first plan the process in which we will design our lesson plan. The design that I recommend is the backwards design because it begins with the end in mind. The backwards design is a three-step process: begin with the learning outcome, then how students will be assessed, and the activities in which they will be engaged.

8. ASSESSMENT MATTERS  Assessments have many benefits and purposes beneficial for the teacher, student, parent, and school. How assessments are done is important in effective teaching. Some of the benefits of assessments are: can determine the placement of students; provide information about student progress and learning to parents; identify students needs; and improve the teaching-learning process. “Senior leaders in schools will need to ensure that their approach to assessment for learning is part of a manageable and school-wide system of assessment. Assessment for learning is not an isolated activity. It feeds into the school’s cumulative understanding of pupils’ achievement” (Department for Children, Schools, and Families, 2008, pg. 6). So does assessment matter, yes it is essential in the learning process.

9. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES  The Professional Learning communities are schools that have embarked on making changes through collaboration of the school community. These Professional Learning Communities have taken the needs and interest of not only the students but also of the teaching staff and with the help of the principal used resources that matched theses interest to meet the need (SEDL, 2014). With these types of communities the art of collaboration is a model for students to emulate. And this is I bring with me.

10. REFERENCES Department for Children, School and Families. (2008). The Assessment for Learning Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.webarchive.nationalarchive.gov.uk/https://www.webarchive.nationalarchive.gov.uk/ Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and Learning in the 21 st Century: Connecting the Dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint, Inc. Public Impact. (2012). Redesigning Schools: In-Person Rotation. Retrieved from https://www.opportunityculture.org/ SEDL. (2014). Principals and Teachers: Continuous Learners. Retrieved from https://www.sedl.org/ TEAL. (2012, February). Fact Sheet: Effective Lesson Planning. Retrieved from https://www.teal.ed.gov/