Running head: TEACHER INTERVIEW 1

Teacher Interview
Jennifer Horne
Ivy Tech Community College


TEACHER INTERVIEW 2

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice

The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning
and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her
practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and
actions on others (learners, families, other
professionals, and the community), and adapts practice
to meet the needs of each learner.


Name of Artifact: Teacher Interview Essay

Date: February, 2012

Course: EDUC 101: Introduction to Education


Brief Description:
I interviewed a teacher currently in practice. Then I wrote a reflective
paper about the interview and my feelings toward the teachers style, and
community and school environments.

Rationale:
To document my understanding of Professional Learning and Ethical
Practice, I have selected to include my Teacher Interview, because it shows I took
an opportunity to seek out a professional in this industry, and reflected on current
trends and practices. This allowed me to grow as an aspiring professional.

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Teacher I nterview Questions and Answers
1. Tell me about yourself as a teacher.
a. Why did you decide to enter teaching?
She decided she wanted to make a difference. It is a rewarding profession.
b. How many years have you been teaching?
She has been teaching for 10 years, but this is her first year with this private school.
c. What grade levels and/or subject areas have you taught?
She also holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught a number of
grade levels from preschool through seniors. She stated that she has taught everything
but College level.
2. Tell me about your classroom and teaching strategies.
a. How is your classroom arranged to optimize learning?
She teaches in a special needs school so there is never more than ten students.
Arrangement is based on needs, usually within table groups.
b. What are your strategies for effective classroom management?
ROUTINE and structure. Classes start with warm ups such as journaling.
c. What types of lesson plans do you create? How do you incorporate state
standards in the curriculum?
Interactive as much as possible. Class discussions, Jig sawing (Group Strategy), and
uses art often.
This is a Private school accredited by ISACs. However the school is building their
own standards and curriculum.
3. For you, what are the most exciting aspects of teaching and your work?
Seeing the students succeed and develop confidence.

4. Who has given you the most support in learning to be an effective teacher?
Other teachers and also conferences have provided the most support.

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5. How do you encourage involvement of parents and families in the school and your
classroom?
Email, contact the parents weekly, and special events such as Parent Breakfast. Keep them
informed and involved.

6. How much time do you spend outside of the work day on preparation and grading?
Approximately 20 hours per week at this point.
7. What do you think are the most difficult challenges for teachers?
*Time. Time management skills and multi-tasking are extremely important.
*The system. Learning is not based on mastery. Too much is required.
*Finding a way to reach each student is impossible within the constraints.
8. What do you see as the pros and cons of ISTEP? In what ways, if any, has ISTEP
affected your teaching?
ISTEP is not allowed in private schools.
9. What have you learned through teaching that you wish you had known at the
beginning?
She knows herself better and what works for her as a teacher. She has learned her
weaknesses.
10. What, if anything, would you have done differently in regards to obtaining your degree
and credentials?
She would have taken more classes pertaining to Cognitive Development and Special Needs.
She does not regret her Associates Degree in Early Childhood.
11. What are your three favorite resources for creating Lesson Plans?
1. ABCTeach 2. English is for Everyone 3. Inspiration
12. How do you continue your professional development? What is required to maintain
your teaching license?
Conferences and Classes are required. She is working on her Masters.
13. How do you know you are successful?
When she sees her students accomplish something they could not do before. When she sees
their excitement and confidence grow. When they are mad at her (because that means she is
making them work).
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14. What advice would you give to a future teacher?
Dont be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes, when things dont go the way you
had planned. Dont lose the fun! Laugh with your students (it keeps you relatable).

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Teacher Interview Reflection Paper
Ms. Knapp stands 59 tall. She has long brown hair, green eyes, and she wears glasses.
The day we met she had on a rust colored top and a long blue jean skirt. Nothing about her
appearance revealed she was an effective teacher. I have never visited her classroom and
observed her instructional methods. However, I was drawn in by her contagious smile, her kind
eyes, and friendly dispositionand I just knew. After speaking with her for an extended period
of time and seeing her eyes light up when she spoke about her kids my gut feeling was
stronger than ever. She has what Janice Koch (2012) describes in the textbook TEACH, as
goodness of fit, the match between a teacher candidates personal attributes, values, and
dispositions and the demands of teaching. She is knowledgeable, alive, patient, committed and
she definitely finds joy in teaching.
The first question I asked her was, Why did you decide to enter teaching? I was not
surprised that her answer was to make a difference in the lives of children. This is an attribute I
can identify with. Ms. Knapp is a teacher at a private school where the students have special
needs emotionally, physically, and mentally. When I asked if she feels she IS making a
difference. She replied, Yes, when I see them succeed in doing something they couldnt do
before, when I see their excitement and confidence grow, I know Im making a difference. Ms.
Knapp is teaching in an area where the students face many challenges yet she remains upbeat,
and optimistic. These are attributes that I hope to emulate because I know they aid in
effectiveness as a teacher.
I believe I share a lot of the core values and philosophies held by Ms. Knapp. In fact, I
found us to be alike in many ways. We share a love of children, reading, learning, and even our
family values and are similar. Healthy families and communities are important to us, so
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important that we have chosen to dedicate our lives to education. Ms. Knapp finds purpose and
fulfillment in teaching and I am confident I will feel the same way. She is a lifelong learner. The
textbook TEACH reiterates that lifelong learning is vital in the teaching profession. In fact, it
states on page 40, paragraph 6 that, to teach is to learn (Koch, 2012) While we are similar in
many ways, we are different in our life experiences. She is a young, unmarried and does not have
children. I, on the other hand, am in my forties, have been divorced, and have two children.
These life experiences cause me to see things from a different perspective. I believe they will add
depth to my teaching.
Upon reflection of this interview, I believe that our schools need quality teachers more
than ever; teachers that care about their students and work diligently to see them succeed.
Teaching is hard work. For instance, Ms. Knapp works an average of twenty hours a week
preparing lesson plans and grading. She told me that she is constantly searching for ways to
enlighten her students and prepare them for whatever their future may hold. This interview
reinforced my belief that, although it takes effort, teachers can and do make a difference.
I am still undecided as to whether I want to teach in a traditional public school setting or
stay in the private sector. Based on our conversation, I see where private schools have fewer
constraints, and are more able to reach their students. However, I believe the need is greater for
change to take place in the public school system. I am looking forward to being a part of the
Profession of Teaching.

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References
Koch, J. (2012). TEACH. Belmont: Wadsworth.