Teacher Interview

Interviewer: Caitlyn Ashby

Interviewee: Mrs. Ellis
Date: 11/02/2015
Time: 11:51pm
Planning questions:
How do you form a typical lesson plan?
o I do not do a 6-point lesson plan but instead I just do what
is required to remind me of what Im teaching. So instead
of writing a script I just write short bullets to remind me of
main points I need to address.
What resources do you use when planning lessons?
o Whatever student handbook, teachers guide, or standard
course of study that is needed for that lesson plan.
As a teacher how do you plan to accommodate individual
differences in the classroom?
o I believe there are different ways such as through product
and evaluation not just off of grade level curriculum.
Differentiation doesnt mean different content. They dont
need different work just need to approach the work
differently.
Instructional Questions:
As a teacher, what would you say have been some of your
instructional successes and challenges?
o Having a large classroom size with several diversities and
not having an instructional assistant. And limited amounts
of resources needed for lessons.
o Successes include having students with no self-confidence
finally believe in themselves. As well as having students
take risks.
What do you consider essential characteristics for successful
teaching?
o Being flexible and knowing what your kids need being able
to decide between what is essential and what is not
essential.
How often are science/social studies taught in a school week?
o Either science or social studies is taught every day for 45
minutes
What does reading instruction look like in your classroom?
o We do mini lessons, guided reading groups, pullout for TD
and ID, Balance literacy model.
Classroom management questions:
What do you do to motivate students to learn?
o At beginning of year go over jobs and how their jobs are an
integral part of the day. I dont believe students should

work for stickers or prize learning is their job and the

grades they earn are their pay.
What are your classroom rules and regulations?
o Behavior chart for communications
o Students know what their job is whenever they are doing
anything they are not supposed to be doing she redirects.
o Consequences are based off of what the problem was
o Bad actions at lunch lead to silent lunch and so on
What are consequences for negative behavior?
o Wont reward students for doing their jobs except for on
Fridays if they get all 3-4 on their behavior charts they can
skip down the hall.
Tell me about the pacing of your lessons and interactions in the
classroom.
o Know your kids and give kids time. Dont just always call
on the kids that know the answers right away. Everything is
based on the students you are working with. If you want
the lesson to last longer ask more in-depth, challenging
questions. But, if you want the lesson to be short ask short,
to the point questions.