Teacher Interview
What strategies would you use to develop students' critical thinking skills?
- Blooms - I would use a variety of teaching methods to encourage students to think "outside the box." I would use questioning techniques aimed at going further inside a students' head or thinking. I would encourage students to answer the "why" and "how" questions. I would encourage students' to relate the subject matter to their own lives and put themselves in the situation and ask them how they would handle the problem or the content we were learning about. I would use problem-solving, open-ended questions, logic puzzles, and analogies to extend lessons.
How do you show flexibility with your students?
- I show flexibility by differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of my students. My schedule and planning is also flexible if students are getting into a certain concept I might spend a little more time on that concept. If a concept needs to be re-taught, I might have to move my lesson plans around to meet their needs. Also, because assemblies, emergency drills, and other events can occur without warning in the school day, I show flexibility with my students by always knowing what to do and keeping calm.
How would you address different ability levels and learning styles in the class?
- I would use a variety of reading material, tiered questions and reading material, pair-share, lecture, graphics, and technology to reach each student. This would address the different ability levels as well as the different learning styles that are sure to be in any class. I would constantly monitor students to ensure that they understand the material. I would offer students choices for assignments, such as written, or verbal, or art work to show me they understand and can relate to the subject matter. I would have students work in small groups so that each student could contribute to the end product, using their learning style to shine. - Task Cards. There are three levels of tasks: Modified, On target, Challenging. They all measure the same standard, but the activities are different depending on the level.
Discuss an appropriate evaluation process and subsequent development of an education program for a student with special needs.
- RTI - An appropriate evaluation process for a student with special needs would include conferencing with the students' parents as well as his / her other teachers. In addition, I would use both formal and informal assessments to determine any needs for modification that might warrant intervention. - If I noticed that a student was struggling and might require special modifications, I would assess the student using informal and formal methods. I would use teacher observation coupled with intuition. I would document the students' progress or lack of progress. I would collect data using a variety of methods. I would also contact the parent and explore whether or not the parent has noticed the student struggling. I would document as much as I could, then encompass my findings in creating a plan that addresses this student's needs.
Describe the teaching techniques or strategies that are most effective for you.
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Describe your student teaching experience.
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Do you believe you should build rapport with students? If yes, how?
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How do you build classroom community?
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How do you challenge students?
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How do you encourage students to learn? Can a student be forced to learn?
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How do you implement an equal opportunities policy in your class?
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How do you integrate your class with the school as a whole?
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How do you involve ELL parents if they can not speak English.
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How do you prefer to use computers in the classroom?
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How do you want students to view you?
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How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most helpful to them?
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How will you build community with other teachers?
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How would you individualize instruction for students? (slow learners/advanced?)
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How would you integrate technology into the curriculum you teach?
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How would you involve parents in the education of their children?
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If I were your principal and we were setting goals for next year, what would they be?
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It is the first day of class, you are writing something on the board and a paper wad hits you in the back, what would you do? Later the same day, if all the students drop their pencils, what do you do?
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Running Records
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Tell me about a time when you had to tell a coworker something they did not like to hear.
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Tell me about a time when you had to tell a parent something they did not like to hear.
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Tell us about your teaching challenges?
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Tell us about your teaching strengths?
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What are your three most important reasons for wanting to be a teacher?
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What do you feel is the most effective way to communicate with parents? How have you used this technique?
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What is the last book you read?
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What new ideas would like to initiate in your classroom?
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What procedures do or would you use to evaluate student progress?
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What qualities do you have that would enhance our teaching staff?
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What three things do you most want to know about your students?
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What was the most frustrating thing that happened to you as a student teacher?
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When you think about your students, in what major ways do you most want to influence their lives?
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Who should be responsible for discipline in the school? Why?
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Why did you decide to become a teacher?
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if you have kids in your classroom that are in different varieties of reading fluency how would you teach them?
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Tell me about yourself.
1) Work out what the THREE most important qualities are for the job. Begin your answer by stating that you have these qualities. For example, if it is a sales job, the most important qualities they are looking for might be: The ability to communicate well with people. The ability to set goals and stay on track. The ability to handle rejection. So you would say: "I am an extravert who interacts well with people. I like to set myself goals and keep them and I'm very persistent." 2) Say where you last worked (or say the job that was most relevant to the position that you are applying for now) and pick one or two things you achieved at that job. For example: "I worked as a sales rep for the Savoy Company and I was their top salesman for three years running. Last year I sold over 1 million dollars worth of widgets" 3) Say why you want to work for the particular company you are applying for. Show specific knowledge about the industry and the company that you are applying for. Show enthusiasm about the company. Example: "I want to work in pharmaceutical sales because it is an area where I can use my ability to create solid long term relationships with clients. I want to work for your company in particular because you concentrate on gastroenterological drugs which is an area that is growing at the rate of 20% a year. That gives you a solid base from which to introduce new products like Endophine. I'd like to be part of that."
What specific teaching strategies do you use to achieve results with students?
I believe the students have to be able to SEE what is going on, by me modeling it. They actually have to TOUCH the activity involving manipulatives. They would have to DO the activity with worksheets. Lastly, ASSESSMENT to make sure the students understand what was being taught. It's my job to help them channel that wonderful inborn curiosity and structure the information in such a way that they'll want to learn more. And, particularly in math, teachers have to realize that sometimes kids are so confused that they simply don't know what to ask. And that's OK. At that point, you go back to the very beginning, and take it in incredibly tiny increments. If it means dropping today's lesson plan to get everyone caught up, that's OK.
How will you meet the needs of children with many different skills?
I would address a wide range of skills in my classroom through assessment and intentional planning. Throughout the year, I would observe closely, take notes and collect documentation, and use both formative and summative assessments. I would use this information to determine strengths, needs, and interests of each child, and plan curriculum based on these findings. I have found that I often differentiate far more than I think I do just by making sure that my lessons are varied and exciting for the students.
Explain how you use ongoing assessment data to differentiate instruction to ensure success for all students.
I would say something asuing a pretest or check-in to see what students already know. Then i would create activities, questionsm projects, etc from the information gathered through this pre-test (doesn't have to be a test, can be a KWL chart or another way to see what students already know). From there i would do another check-in a following week to see where the students are currently at as some may be progressing faster than others. I would re-evaluate my lessons to fit that.
How do you assess students to determine appropriate level of instruction?
I would use a mix of informal assessments (teacher observation, interest surveys) and formal assessments (pre-tests, comprehensive tests, TAKS scores, any subject-specific test recommended by the district).
Why should we hire you.
I'm creative, dynamic, flexible. I like to solve problems, etc. I will bring a fresh perspectiveAnswer - Your preparation and research is imperative to successfully answer this question. Provide a few reasons why you're interested in the school or district, and what in particular sparked your interest. What is your personal experience with the school or district? What do you know about its student body, faculty members, industry reputation, community involvement, educational goals and objectives, upcoming initiatives, demographics, or extracurricular activities? This information will help you to accurately respond to the above question. The word accurate is important -- don't answer the questions by using old information
What is your relationship like with coworkers?
One of mutual respect and teamwork: My co-workers and I have a collaborative relationship where we share ideas. I am always a team player when it is in the best interest of the school and the students. I enjoy collaborating with staff members and building upon each other's ideas to make the school the best it can be.
What is your relationship like with students?
One of mutual respect and teamwork: The students and I share a classroom community that we work on from the very beginning of the school year. From the very beginning, I let the parents and students know that we are all in the school year together. I show the students that they are active participants in our classroom and their education.
How would you differentiate a lesson?
Provide students with different ways to learn what I am teaching. This could be through a research paper, role play, diagram, poster, etc. The key is finding how your students learn and use a variety of methods to meet their specific needs.
Define teacher effectiveness.
Students are learning (as shown by formal and informal data). The teacher actively teaches and moves around the room. The teacher differentiates instruction to appeal to all the learners in the classroom. Students understand and demonstrate classroom rules and procedures. The teacher communicates well with parents and is organized.
If a lesson went wrong, what would you do?
Things don't always go according to plan. Give a specific example of when a lesson didn't work. Focus on how you analyzed what went wrong and identified the weaknesses with the lesson. Describe how you went about improving the lesson by various means such as changing the complexity level of the content, using available resources, asking for advice from other teachers and reviewing your classroom management. It is important to acknowledge that failures do happen and indicate that you have the insight and maturity to deal with them.
How do you get students excited for learning?
Through the use of a hook in every lesson.
Describe the assessment techniques you will use to evaluate student learning.
To evaluate student learning, I use both informal and formal assessments from simple observations to checklists to formal assessments used school, district, and state-wide. The most useful strategy I use to assess student learning is to simply ask the students questions throughout the lesson or activity.
What was the most valuable thing you learned in your student teaching?
To over plan and to be flexible. I feel you should have a plan and procedure for everything. It makes the day smoother and makes for less chaos. I do also feel that no matter how prepared you are you should always be flexible, it is rare for things to always to as planned, so be flexible and ready to thow in your backup plan.
Describe how you will promote sensitivity to racial, cultural, religious, and ethnic differences in your classroom.
To promote a multi-cultural sensitive community, I would provide opportunities to learn about other cultures from bringing in guest speakers to showcasing books about other cultures, races, etc.
Describe what your classroom will look like?
Upon entering my classroom you will find a lively and colorful room completely centered upon children and active learning. Sight words, the alphabet, numbers, and inspirational quotes cover the walls while large bulletin boards proudly display students' work. A large area contains a carpeted reading or group corner specifically for storytelling, show-and-tell, weather discussions and calendar and day-of-the-week conversations. This classroom includes an abundance of age appropriate reading materials and student mailboxes where children place personal journals, home reading books and workbooks in the morning and then collect newsletters or other parent communication at the end of the day.
What's an innovative idea you've introduced or could introduce in your school?
When I was in 5th grade in Germany I attended a school that had a program called "Read to Succeed" It took the traditional reading log a step further. The students recorded what they read, how many pages, etc. but the school offered rewards and incentives including a reading party for the students. I enjoyed this program as a child and was found myself loving reading. I would like to take that program and make something similar and introduce it to the school.
Name a strength.
creativity and technology. I list two because for me they go hand in hand. I am able to sift through countless ideas on the internet and find the most relevant to what I need and use it to spark a beginning for me to build upon when coming up with a creative way to teach a new concept.
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
enjoy opening up new worlds to kids. You enjoy teaching them to love to learn. You know, deep inside, that this is what you were meant to do
What are the three(3) most important traits, characteristics or attributes a teacher should possess and why?
flexibility, creativity, and passion: 1. Flexibility- because you often have to adapt lesson plans, make last minute changes to suit the needs of your students and be prepared for many situations that can arise. 2. Creativity- you need to create lessons that reach each learner based on ability and interests, capture their attention, make them want to learn as well as find way to make those lessons intertwine with their own lives and experiences. 3. Passion-because you need to love what you are teaching, be committed to it and be enthusiastic about it and be genuine with those feelings.
Is it ever justifiable to force a student to learn?
no, encourage, yes, force, absolutely not
Do you know about ___ program - answer you use if you DONT know
she said that she wasn't familiar with that practice, but if it were an approach that the school used, she would do everything within her power to learn about the method - including collaborating with fellow teachers - to become skilled in utilizing it to benefit her students.
A child in your class is told to sit down. The child refuses and says "I don't have to." What do you do?
Before I discuss how I would respond to the student, I would begin by saying that I'm a firm believer that as long as it's not a distraction to the other students and it's safe, a student can stand, kneel, lean, etc. at their desk. Some students just can't sit. I even have times where I stand at a table or desk to work on something. Now, if the student was distracting the other students or if the activity required the student to sit in his/her chair, I would give the student a warning and also given them a 30 second window of time to get seated. I may something like, "Billy, I'm going to help Sally for a minute and when I'm done, I expect you to be seated." If all you do is stand over them and wait for them to comply, it could turn into a real power struggle. When the window of time to comply has passed and if the student still is not seated, I would have them "refocus" by taking a time out/filling out a form stating the misbehavior and what they're going to do to fix the problem (basically what stg does with the discipline book). This idea is great because it provides you with instant documentation! If the student still does not comply after refocusing, they would receive a consequence. IMO, an appropriate consequence for this situation may include removal from the group they sit with. Part of sitting with a group involves respecting others while they're learning and if you're standing is distracting, you can't be part of the group anymore. I would have the student sit elsewhere in the classroom, alone for a bit. I would give them the opportunity to rejoin the group and the next consequence would be a phone call to their parent and finally, an office referral.
How do you assess the level of engagement of students?
Direct observation walk around the room and visually observe small groups. Also you can find out how on task students were when you were looking at the group across the room through assessment. also I like to ask my students things like, what did you learn from listening to your partner when they doing a turn and talk.
Put these in order of importance, Planning, Evaluation, Methods, Discipline. why?
Discipline-because without this, learning will suffer. Evaluation-because a teacher has to know what their students know in order to be effective Methods-because you have to know how your students learn best, and what works for one class might not work for another. Planning-teachers need to be prepared for what they're teaching that day, but without the first three, the best planning will go by the wayside.
What is your philosophy of education?
Every student deserves an education tailored to his or her strengths and needs.
Describe your planning process for a major project or unit.
First I would decide on the objectives of unit and how I would best meet them with my students. I look over the Sunshine State Standards and the district curriculum to make sure I include the necessary information for my students. I compile a document with background information for myself. Based on my students learning styles and interests, coupled with the unit's objectives, I start designing activities and assessments that reflect the content and the students. After planning out the activities and assessments, I confer with colleagues. Before, during, and after teaching the unit or project, I reflect on what goes well and what doesn't. I keep notes about the reflections to guide me with updating or changing the unit or project in the future.
What are your thoughts on team-teaching?
I am sure many of you have participated in team-teaching and realize the benefits of this strategy. The interviewer who asks this question wants to discover, if you are flexible, enjoy working in a team environment, have experience in this area, and what your viewpoints are on the subject. It is an effective strategy for teaching large groups of students. Encourages teachers to collaborate and generate ideas ... two heads are always better than one! Talk about team-teaching experiences you have had, and the positive results that transpired.
What personal strengths can you bring to our school?
I am very good with technology, in fact I am working on my masters degree in educational technology. I want to learn new ways to incorporate the knowledge I have in technology into the curriculum. for instance, I taught a lesson on Africa and instead of describing Africa,I accessed Google Earth and took the students on a trip to Africa to see what is looks like. this was not only a great hook to get them interested, but I think students learn more with real life applications.
What are your expectations for your special ed students?
I basically said that, while I make accommodations for the students who require it, I have high expectations for all of my students
How would you handle a situation where a student is repeatedly disruptive in your class.
I believe that the students are responsible for their choices. What I do is in response to each specific choice. I let the students know that they are causing a problem for someone in the classroom and they need to find a way to solve the problem. If, after time has passed, they haven't figured out a solution and the problem still persists I give them two options. The options vary depending on each special situation and special individual. The student then chooses an option with the understanding that their previous choices are what put them in this position. If a student thinks the options are unfair, they can tell me quietly and we'll have a conference to figure out what would be a fair option. If a student is repeatedly disruptive I follow these guidelines, but create a signal (only known to the individual student and myself) to let them know they need to think about their actions. I would work with the student to come up with some strategies to get their behavior under control.
What is your relationship like with parents?
One of mutual respect and teamwork: I have an open door policy where parents know they can come to me and discuss any problems or concerns their child is having in class, and we can work together to help their child. From the very beginning, I let the parents and students know that we are all in the school year together.
Explain your behavior policy.
1. Respect others. 2. Raise your hand for your turn to speak. 3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 4. Keep the room clean. 5. Be in the class when the bell rings.
How would your students describe you?
1. caring 2. consistent 3. visible 4. prepared 5. motivating
What are 5 adjectives that describe you?
1. energetic 2. determined 3. flexible 4. creative 5. fair
What do you know about developmentally appropriate practices for this age group?
A developmentally appropriate classroom is an active one. Both teachers and students learn from one another. The teacher sets up the environment to facilitate development of skills, to pique interest, and to allow for independence.In a developmentally appropriate preschool classroom, teachers help children solve their own problems by asking questions like: Is there another way you could try it? How did you make that happen? Why do you think your plan didn't work?
What four key components do you believe you must include in a lesson plan?
A objective, a hook, an assessment that matches the objective, and the plan.
Who qualifies as an at-risk student, and what procedures do you have in place?
An at-risk student is someone who has failed a grade or any portion of the TAKS test. They could also be in danger of failing and have a low socioeconomic status. I would praise them often, and have high expectations of them and all my students. I would have tactile and kinesthetic activities planned and offer tutoring before and after school.
Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be an outstanding teacher.
An outstanding teacher is organized, prepared, flexible, and creative. A solid knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and early literacy education is a must, as well as a willingness to include families and build a caring classroom community. An outstanding teacher sets clear expectations, encourages children to make choices and ask questions, and fosters a love of learning and literature. I believe outstanding teachers are known for their adaptability. I have learned from my student teaching and experience as a reserve teacher that no two days are ever alike, so my "plans" are constantly shifted, even though my expectations for the students are consistent. Outstanding teachers are overly organized, which is a great trait to have when teaching a number of different classes. Effective teachers must have a passion for the subject if they expect to have motivated students. I adore history and finding ways to make history relevant to today's students. The final attribute that makes an outstanding teacher is the ability to look upon your subject with perspective and teach the students to be objective when confronted with new information. I understand that everyone who enters my classroom enters it with a specific viewpoint that is different from everyone else. This variety of background knowledge enhances the classroom. I believe one of my strengths is to have the students participate equally and bring their past experiences into the classroom with them.
Name a weakness and how you overcame it.
Answer - Your response could include something that may have been a challenge in the past, which you have taken steps to rectify. It is important to be truthful, they will be testing your honesty. In addition, they will be checking to see if you provide a weakness that is critical to success in the position. For example, the interview will likely end quickly if you answer you have a difficult time management the classroom. The key to answering the question is to turn a negative into a positive. Think of this question as an opportunity to sell yourself. Here is an example: You wouldn't say, "I have a difficult time organizing my day." Instead, rephrase the answer by saying. "There are so many creative activities I plan for my students and class time is limited. It is difficult to incorporate all of the activities that I would like my students to learn from. Over time, I have realized to prioritize what lessons are the most important to enhance my student learning. I now realize that I can't do everything I would like to."
Talk about Balanced Literacy
Balanced literacy is a way of incorporating writing and reading throughout the school day in various forms. There is shared reading, interactive reading, phonics, guided reading, and read alouds. There is also guided writing, interactive writing, and independent writing. All of these aspects of balanced literacy combine to give the student an education that encompasses all areas of reading and writing.
What are your 3 highest priorities in your teaching?
1. Creating a safe and positive classroom community. 2. Instilling values and a love of learning in my students. 3. Reaching all of my students by incorporating a variety of learning styles and student interests.
Do you have any questions for us?
1. Do you have a mentor program? 2. I noticed on your website you have a lot of extra curricular activities including run walk club, are there opportunities to help out with any of these? If so what area do you have a need for. I have a lot of experience with computers and with art. 3. Do your teachers team plan, or do they work individually? 4. How often does the grade level have team meetings? 5. I have always been successful with getting parents involved in the classroom, how active are parents at this school or within the school district? 6. I am well-versed at integrating computer technology into the classroom, what kind of resources does the school have available?
What do you look for in a principal?
1. He cared about the students. 2. He cared about the teachers. 3. He developed a "family atmosphere" in our school. By that, I mean that we cared about each other, and looked after the needs of each other. 4. He tried to give us lots of oportunities for stress relief. Every faculty meeting started with something fun. 5. If a parent had a complaint, he always checked the situation out thoroughly. If the teacher was right, he supported her. If she was wrong, he worked with her to help learn from the situation. 6. If he came in the classroom for a surprise evaluation, and it wasn't a good time, you could just say, "Can you come back at another time?" and he didn't hold it against you. You could do that once a year. 7. He recognized when we were stressed out, and treated us accordingly. 8. He treated us with respect. 9. He was accessible
Incentives?
1. Marble jar for entire class 2. Treasure box 3. Friday lunch with teacher
Describe your behavior management plan.
I currently use a traffic light behavior system in my classroom. Each day, the students begin on the green light. After repeated warnings, the student's name tag is moved to the yellow and then red lights. At the end of the day I mark the color they ended on in a daily behavior report which goes in the student's daily folder. The parents have the opportunity to make comments and questions in this folder. All students will begin the next day on green, regardless of where they were before. If a child is not responding to this system or is in need of something more, I don't hesitate to work with the child and the family to create an individual behavior plan, such as a sticker chart or a number chart. This becomes necessary when non-verbal cues, discussions with the student, and meetings with the student and family have not helped the behavior.
Name a class you enjoyed during college, and why you chose it?
I enjoyed my second literacy methods course because the teacher stated up front what she was expecting of us. she told us what we would be learning and what we would know by th end of the course. She then provided the students with all they needed to pass the course and was always there to answer questions. Mrs. Wilder was agreat teacher to me.
How would you use assessment in your classroom?
I feel that the more you know about what and how students are learning, the better you can plan learning activities to structure your teaching. while the students would be given some formal assessment, I would be using mostly simple, non-graded, in-class activities that give both me and my students useful feedback on the teaching-learning process.
How would your co-workers describe you?
I know they considered me to be hard working. In fact, the other team members often thanked me for the extra hours I put in. In addition they have described me as being a reliable team member, when I say I will do something, then I do it.
What are some strategies you would use with struggling readers?
I make sure to meet with my lowest level small reading group on a daily basis to ensure that they are receiving as much exposure to literacy as possible (in a guided manner). I work on decoding skills with them to be sure they can read and understand the print. I also work on simple comprehension skills such as the basic story elements of character, setting, and plot. Once they have mastered those skills, we continue to work on higher level thinking skills. Throughout this process, I constantly assess the students with running records and comprehension exercises to be sure they are making progress and feeling successful.
What experience do you have working with kindergarten (or grade interviewing for)?
I preinterned in a Kindergarten class. I have also subbed in many Kindergarten classes, in fact I am scheduled to sub at one on Monday.
How do you enlist parent support for the students in your class?
I provide a variety of opportunities for parents to volunteer, each with different types of time limits and ability requirements. Parents these days range anywhere from the busy both parents working full time type families to the stay at home parent. I plan to have a volunteer basket in my room. I saw a teacher with this type of basket and parents at any time could come and check the backet for an item or description, pick it up and get to work on it. these range anywhere from making copies, cooking goodies at home, pulling out pages from books, donations of pencils and ink, to the fall festival and tutoring students. I also want to add that when parents do volunteer, I think it is imperative to say thank you either orally or written.
Tell us about your education and teaching experience.
I received a bachelors degree in elementary education from University of North Florida. I graduated with honors: magna cum laude (MAG-na coom LOUD-ay). I am currently a substitute teacher in clay county serving all schools, grades, and subjects. In fact, I have subbed at this school more than once. I am also working on obtaining a Masters degree from UNF in Professional Elementary Education with a specialization in technology.
Tell me about yourself.
I received a bachelors degree in elementary education from University of North Florida. I graduated with honors: magna cum laude (MAG-na coom LOUD-ay). I am currently a substitute teacher in clay county serving all schools, grades, and subjects. In fact, I have subbed at this school more than once. I am incredibly exited to be a teacher and an just waiting to get started, while I am waiting, I am working on my masters degree in Elementary education with a specialization in technology. I just took the GRE and should start classes in January.
Name a book you have read recently related to education.
I recently read the book "Classrooms Teachers Survival Guide" by Ronald Partin. I thought it had some really good suggestions on management techniques. It also had a lot of pre made forms in it.
Describe a lesson that went well.
I taught a science lesson on evaporation to a group of second grade students. In this lesson all the students were actively engaged in the lesson. Filled several jars with water and placed them in different areas of the room, some with lids on them and some without. I let the students picks the places, but I made sure to direct them to cover two in shade and two in sunlight, each with one lid on and one lid off, I let students help me mark where we filled the water, everyone was so excited. I make a POE worksheet in which the students were asked to predict what would happen if... we also answered why do you think that will happen. I loved that lesson not only because the students were so interested, but because they were able to dig deeper into their critical thinking skills.
What approaches do you utilize to motivate your students?
I use positive reinforcement as well relating as many lessons and activities to things that the students like, such as sports, shopping and many real life situations. I believe that kids have an inborn curiosity about the world around them. It's my job as teacher to channel and focus that curiosity. Depening on the grade level, you can talk about incorporating projects or group work. Depending on the school, you can talk about the wonders that kids have access to, thanks to the technology available-- they can see a clip of Neil Armstrong on the moon for a science lesson or see the Berlin Wall coming down in History.
What would you do if a student's parents gave him or her no support at all at home?
Offer a steady safe environment for the student. Remember to encourage all students to do their best and remind them that you care. continually invite parents into their childs school life by offering and suggesting a variety of ways they can help.
How would you describe a successful principal?
It is important that a successful principal... •has a vision and a plan to reach that vision...combined with the ability to bring faculty members together to form a cooperative team and motivate them to reach district goals and objectives. •be visible... the principal's presence should be evident on a continual basis. He or she must be easily accessible to both students and teachers. •has a great sense of humor, and can relate well to a diverse group of individuals. •genuinely cares about the students, teachers, parents, and the district.
What would you do with a student who was a continuous problem?
Keep an open communication with the parent, remind both of the school and classroom rules. Work together to develop a goal and plan to help the student improve. always stay firm, consistent, fair, and patient with all students.
What would your language arts program look like?
My language arts program is a combination of reading and writing. In terms of reading, I feel that it is essential to cover all aspects of it, from shared reading to guided reading and even read alouds. I use literacy to hook my students into lessons in math, science, and social studies by sharing different genres and subjects with them related to what we are studying. In terms of writing, I love teaching both the mechanics and the process of writing. In the mechanics portion, I teach my students about proper grammar and sentence structure. In process writing, I teach my students how to take an author's craft and incorporate it into their own writing. In process writing, I care more about the students gaining experience and confidence in their writing than whether or not they have 5 sentences in the paragraph.
