1. The Big Interview By: Monique Watson

2. Introduction My name is Monique A. Watson and I applying for the director position at Inspiring Minds INC. child development and outreach center, located in ward 7 of Washington, D.C. I feel that I am more than qualified to for this position. I attended the University of Maryland, College Park and I have completed coursework in Family Sciences. I am presently working on a Masters in Early Childhood Education at Ashford University. My coursework involves: general studies, child development courses, teaching strategies, family support services, observations, and internships in local schools and childcare facilities. Alongside my coursework, I have been working with children and families for seven years. My resume details specific jobs, but I have extensive experience working in schools and daycare centers. In addition, I have many accomplishments in my field of study that have helped me to excel in the field of teaching. My coursework and work experiences have prepared me for the qualifications for working as Director of the center. I will provide continuous support for the children, families, and staff and I am constantly learning new strategies to enhance my skills and work performance.

3. Philosophy of Education My philosophy… I believe that every child deserves to be in a learning environment in which they are able to grow and develop emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually. Children must be nurtured to their full potential. As a teacher I must create a classroom environment in which my students are able to blossom into the flowers that they are. In the beginning of the school year I am given little seeds that need to grow and flourish. In order for my budding flowers to grow and flourish I must create an environment conducive to learning. My classroom environment is continuously changing as my students change. My little flowers do not stay the same so it is important that the environment changes as my flowers change. I have to find ways to make learning fun and engaging so that my students are always eager to want to learn more. As a teacher it is my duty to make sure that the children in my classroom are performing to their full potential. According to Bagceci (2013) “One of the duties of teachers, practicing democratically in the classroom, is to create a positive education process for the students” ( p. 252). Bagceci really resonated with me, because as teacher I have tailored my teaching in a way that it fits that need of every child in my classroom. Every child learns differently and it is up to me to find out what works for my students on a individual level. I am a firm believer in differential teaching. I make it my duty to find out every child in my classroom learning style and help each student perform at their full potential. I have to make sure that my students are getting all that they need so that they are successful individuals in the world.

4. Classroom Management According to Marzano (2003) “Classroom management is often noted as one of the most influential factors in determining success for first-year teachers and as the most influential factor in students‘ academic success ” ( p.1). When I was a first year teacher my mentor explained to me the importance of having a classroom management plan. She told me that having a plan will help lay the foundation for the type of teacher I will become. I learned early on that having a classroom management plan will help me to become a successful teacher. As the Director of Inspiring Minds I am going to instill in my staff the importance of classroom management. I will help the teachers enhance their classroom management skills so that are proficient at handling the ins and outs of the classroom.

5. Different Classroom Models Having worked in different child development centers that use different classroom models, it gives me experience in implementing different classroom models. I utilize differential teaching and I want my staff to become proficient in differential teaching as well. It is our duty as educators to make sure every student is learning the information that is being taught.

6. Effective Lesson Plans and Design The teacher must first do research on the content area he/ she plans to do their lesson on. Research helps to align the teaching and learning of the content area that is going to be taught. The teacher must make sure the learning objectives of the lesson are aligned with the standards that are being taught. Learning objective are critical to planning because it challenges students to think at a higher-level, students need to be able to question and solve problems by the end of the lesson (Newman, 2013, p.9.1).

7. Assessments Matters An important element of teaching is assessing the students to make sure they have mastered the information that is being taught in the classroom. Assessments need to be happening on a constant basis in the classroom. The teacher and students must take accountability for what is being taught and learned in the classroom. Assessments help to make instruction a little easier on both the teacher and the student. There are two different types of assessment summative and formative, both assessments impact what and how information is being taught in the classroom. According to Newman (2013) “Assessments Assessment refers to the process used to determine, in measurable terms, the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs of the learner “ (p. 11.0)

8. Professional Learning Communities As the directors in Inspiring Minds INC. I will meet with my teachers at least four times a year and as needed to discuss what we as teachers were doing to perfect our art and she would assist us in any way to help. I think that administrative has a part to play in teacher learning they have to make sure that their teachers are getting the best out of their career. Just has the teacher is making sure that his or her students are learning what is being taught the same importance needs to be put on the teacher. How can the teacher fully teach her or his students to their full potential if they are not continually learning to perfect their art? According to Newman ( 2013) “there are standards that guide teachers growth and development” (p. 13. 4) There are standards that teachers must uphold and just like the students and teachers especially new teachers need guidance to stay on top of the standards that have been put into place.

9. Reference Marzano, R., & Marzano, J. (2003). The Key to Classroom Management. Educational Leadership, September, 6–13. Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century: Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Bagceci, B. (2013). Analyzing Opinions of Prepratory School Student on Democratic Approaches in Constructive Learning Environment. International Journal Of Academic Research, 5(1), 251-255. doi:10.7813/2075-4124.2013/5- 1/B.37