Teaching Interview Questions

How would you address a wide range of skills and abilities in your classroom?

I address a wide range of skills and abilities in my classroom by differentiating core instruction, incorporating technology-based centers/stations throughout the day, assessing student achievement to see what modifications need to be made, teaching multiple learning styles, offering students choice in their learning, and providing a variety of learning materials.

Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be and outstanding teacher.

I am an outstanding teacher because I build positive rapport with my students. I prioritize this skill at the beginning of the year and truly believe that it pays off. I set high expectations for myself and my students by creating short-term and long-term goals. I take pride in my ability and willingness to collaborate and be a team player. I am a lifelong learner who is eager to obtain new research and information in order to better my practice and instruction.

strategy to maximize the learning potential of all students

KWL chart three-step framework I involve three major cognitive steps: accessing their background knowledge (K) determining what students would like to learn about that subject (W) and evaluating what was learned about the topic (L)

Responsive Classroom

is a student-centered, social and emotional learning approach to teaching and discipline. It is comprised of a set of research, and evidence-based practices designed to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities for both students and teachers.

Benchmarks

make clear what students should know and be able to do at four different grade spans: k-3, 4-5,6-8,9-12

How do you deal with different cultures in your classroom?

-High population of Native American and English Language Learners that are in my class. I gear my lessons and articles toward celebrating Native American and Hispanic history. Students are eager to share their cultural experiences with their classmates. This is a great way to connect my students together and help them feel valued and appreciated. -Multicultural books on my book shelf

How would you involve the community in your classroom?

-I would schedule a special orientation meeting to provide potential volunteers with a set of responsibilities and expectations -buddy reading -recruit lots of classroom volunteers -special guest readers. Dr. Seuss week I had the principal come in and read -career week different community helpers in our town to come and read and have a conversation about what they do and why it is important

Classroom management style

-PBIS school: Positive Behavior Intervention System -Setting high expectations and standards at the beginning of class.

Essential traits for an effective educator

-Patience: Students move at their own pace -Flexible: Roll with the punches

How do you motivate students?

-Students need to know the goals and how they can successfully achieve those learning objectives -create a community of learners that provides supportive, inspirational, and motivational environment -specific reasons why they are learning the subject matter and how it is going to benefit them in the real world

What are some ways to let parents know about the positive things going on in your classroom?

-The two-minute note positive event or accomplishment

What does it mean to be a successful teacher?

-When you are able to build and form a trusting relationship which in return they perform at their highest ability level.

What are you plans for professional growth?

-attending regional and state conferences so that I can begin developing a network of fellow teachers -order teacher-resource books -math intervention conference

What are some ways you would communicate with parents about students' progress?

-create web page: updated weekly and would provide parents with regular information about learning strategies, specific ways to encourage reading at home -phone calls with parents: to let them know the successes their children are having in school

Why is it important to communicate with parents?

-form partnership that can support and enhance a child's academic growth

What is the purpose of assessment?

-meaningful feedback -measure instruction tailored to the individual needs of students -evaluate progress I use tools such as projects, demonstrations, portfolios, rubrics, writing samples to help me effectively gauge each student's progress and performance in a lesson

If, for one day, you were empowered to make one change in the education system, what would it be?

-money -I would make sure there would be sufficient money to fund local schools and educational efforts

How will your students' overall performance improve as a result of technology?

-more actively engaged -improve thinking and problem-solving skills -DI

Math Recovery - AVMR

-not a curriculum -professional development improvements in our instructional practices -assessments current thinking and build from students knowing -different aspects of number knowledge -learning progressions -comprehensive profile of students current knowledge across the domains -new learning -advance their thinking -targeted intervention -brings strategies into classroom - make data-driven instruction

Steps of a good lesson plan

-provides an outline for accomplishment tasks tailored to student interests and needs -objectives, making sure the lesson is geared toward the objectives or specific standards -motivational attention grabber -guided practice activities (creative-thinking opportunities, hands on-minds on activities, specific instructional methodologies) -closure of the lesson -evaluation and assessment

What will you do if a parent challenges you?

-schedule a conference before or after school and listen to the parent and work with them to figure out a plan that best suits their child and the parent -work with parent in reaching a mutually satisfactory solution

Describe how you would prepare for a parent-teacher conference?

-send a personal letter home to confirm the day and time - attached with a question/concerns form that they can fill out and turn in ahead of time so I can come prepared. -records of students portfolios, work samples, writing samples, -academic progress, student behavior, interaction with peers -data -assessments

philosophy on classroom disipline

-students should have a sense of ownership of the rules - make sure the rules are consistent with school rules -make sure all students understand the classroom rules through concrete examples, and modeling -explain why these rules are important

How would you differentiate your instruction to meet the needs of your diverse learners?

1. Being aware that special-needs students may not want to be singled out for any special treatment 2. students need an extended period of time to master a concept or learn specific skill 3. focus on the strengths of each learner 4 provide opportunities for students to learn from one another 5 make sure that everyone feels like they are contributing

phonological awareness

sound structure, of words words in sentences, syllables, onset-rime, rhyme, alliteration, segmentation, blending, rhyming, listening Do the words sound the same? cat-car Do the words begin with the same sound? hap-happy Do these words rhyme? boy-toy syllables wa-gon segmentation h/a/t Can you break this word apart by sounds? blending c/a/t cat can you blend this word back together?

differentiated instruction

student-centered practices that make it possible for diverse students to learn. 1. how students learn 2. what interests them 3. readiness for content

Describe your teaching style

Inquiry-based learning is a type of active learning that encourages students to ask questions and develop critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. Giving students a purpose or why the content area and how it connects to real-world experiences is important and gives students areas to make connections and activate prior knowledge.

What book have you read recently?

John Wooden's Pyramid of Success - talks about the building blocks and of success.

Math Recovery Specialist

Math Recovery® Specialist builds a high level of expertise in Math Recovery®content, assessment, and pedagogy. Math Recovery® Specialists transform educators into highly skilled practitioners who pinpoint a child's struggle to learn and apply mathematical concepts. The goal of Math Recovery® Specialist is to intervene before these at-risk students fall too far behind their peers along with finding ways to support parents and classroom educators.

What are you going to do for a kid who just doesn't get it?

Never give up! Every child has the right to an education, and should be provided with educational opportunities that are geared to his or her needs, interests, and abilities.

NWEA mission

Our mission is simple but vast: Partnering to help all kids learn®. We help kids get what they need in the classroom, so they can pursue their passions, shape their future, and realize their potential.

standard

is a description of what students should know and be able to do. By definition, educational standards let everyone-students, parents and admins know what students are expected to learn. 1. what do we want students to know and be able to do? 2. how well do we want them to know and do those things? 3. how will we know if students know and can do those things? 4. how can we redesign schooling to ensure that we get the results we want?

phonemic awareness

isolation, blending, segmenting, addition, deletion, substitution

What classroom-management techniques do you use or are you most comfortable with?

love and logic approach Example: a student throws a book on the ground Response: Those are my personal books and it makes me sad that you are not treating them respectfully.

What new skills or ideas do you bring to the job that other candidates aren't likely to offer?

my love for language arts and the process it takes for first graders to become fluent readers.

philosophy of teaching

Develop young men and women to become productive members of their community and success in their future endeavors.

AVMR

Educators learn to design, implement, and analyze mathematics instruction based on individual student learning. Research based diagnostic assessments, learning progressions, and high quality instructional tools help participants increase student understanding and achievement.

Didn't perform well

-Formal observation -wait time -eager for students to know the answer -did not want students to get off task

most challenging student

I had had an oppositional defiant disorder movement breaks check in and check out

motivate reluctant readers

Student interests putting their names in stories reading different types of literature, writing letters, listening to news broadcasts, public speakers

Homework?

optional fish bags math games

How do you plan to individualize instruction?

-An IEP provides the foundations of learning -Developed as a collaborative effort of students(when appropriate) teachers, students, school admins, and related-services personnel. -IEP for students who score below grade level on standardized test

greatest strength

-Building relationships with students and showing them what they do not see in themselves. Potential. Being in their corner and supporting and believing in them.

WHat is the most exciting initiative happening in education today?

-DI -different learning pathways to a wide range of learners -figuring out what strategy works best for each individual student

How do you handle discipline problems?

-Focus on behaviors rather than personalities -By focusing on the behavior, the student is given the opportunity and responsibility to make a change

What characteristics make a master teacher?

1. constant learner: education is as much about the journey as it is the destination 2. positive relationships: community of learners 3. Learn from mistakes

balanced reading program?

1. reading aloud 2. shared reading 3. guided reading, 4. individualized reading 5. buddy reading 6. independent reading 7. vocabulary 8. reading and writing

IEP - reading, math, writing

ADHD - learning center

AVMR

Add+VantageMR® Fractions empowers educators to use diagnostic assessments and learning trajectories to guide the teaching of fraction topics. During this blended learning and practice-based professional development, participants work with students using the tools from the course to better understand students' current knowledge and how to help them advance.

AVMR

Add+VantageMR® empowers educators to use diagnostic assessments and learning trajectories to guide the teaching of whole number topics. During this practice-based professional development, participants begin working with students to develop their knowledge and skills for day-to-day practice.

Improve about yourself?

Asking for help Frame it so something i've already realized and recognized. My first few years in teaching, I felt like I needed to solve every problem and know everything but I quickly realized that I do not and in order to be successful and get clarity, I need to ask questions. Especially this year, with it being the first year we have implemented Arrow Success Academy, there are many odds and ends that we have to work together to mend.

How would you address a wide range of skills and abilities in your classroom? - Assess Then Adapt

Assessing student achievement is always important, but this is especially true in a diverse classroom. In addition to regular testing, teachers should informally check student understanding and progress through observation, open-ended questions, single-question quizzes and demonstration in order to see what modifications to lessons need to be made. If the classroom includes students with disabilities, implement reasonable accommodations to encourage success. Allow oral tests for students with visual or language disabilities or note takers for those with attention deficit disorder or small motor difficulties.

Difference between assessment and evaluation?

Assessment is when teachers gather info about students' level of performance or achievement Evaluation is comparing a student's achievement with other students with set of standards. both continuos and ongoing process

Address wide range of skills and abilites - Provide a variety of learning materials

At this age, most preschool children benefit from having a collection of concrete objects to manipulate and explore. For example, it's easier to describe the properties of an orange when you're holding a real orange, instead of a plastic orange or a cartoon picture of a smiling orange. Evaluate the materials in each interest area. Are there puzzles for children with different ability levels? Books about topics that interest the children in a variety of reading levels? Are there blocks that are easy for young preschoolers to grasp and stack as well as blocks that are sturdy enough for older preschoolers' elaborate buildings and machines?

Why did you apply for this position?

Beautiful place in which to live, grow and work. Rapid city is a special place to build a career, raise a family, and pursue life's dreams, and achieve personal and professional goals.

Address wide range of skills and abilities - Offer choices

Encourage children to participate and explore in the way they prefer. Some children may prefer to work individually, with a partner, in a small group, or in a large group. Or, if there are children in your group who are sensitive to sensory experiences, allow them to use tools or wear gloves when exploring sensory materials like sand, potting or soil.

RTI (response to intervention)

Early in the year, your child's school can start looking at everyone's skills in reading, writing and math. They can provide targeted teaching—called interventions—to help struggling students catch up. A big part of the RTI process involves closely monitoring student progress. That way the school can see which kids need more academic support.

progress monitoring

During an intervention, your child's teacher or another member of the RTI team uses an assessment tool that research has shown to be an effective way to measure certain skills. This tool is used to assess your child's skills every week or every other week. That may sound like a lot of testing. But each assessment only takes a few minutes to complete.

How would you handle a student who is a consistent behavioral problem?

Figure out the root of the problem 2x10 figuring out special interests

Behavior - Behavior plan

For example, if a child wants attention, the school may try to channel this in a more positive way—maybe letting the child perform in a talent show. If the problem is restlessness, the child could take breaks when feeling antsy. The plan may even include teaching the child strategies for staying focused.

Greatest strength as a teacher

Forming a safe and risk-free learning environment

disruptive students

Getting them more engaged in lessons using their names in word problems use them as examples if they wish different seating arrangements figure out the root of the problem

What are some of the challenges of inclusion?

Helping set short term and long term goals and consistently keeping those in mind and conferencing with each individuals and holding them accountable

What do you enjoy most about working with young people?

I particularly enjoy their natural sense of curiosity. The way they ask questions, pose problems, and look at the world.

How would you address a wide range of skills and abilities in your classroom?

I would address a wide range of skills and abilities in my classroom by differentiating my core instruction in order to meet the needs of all my students. There are several ways in which I could differentiate my instruction. I would have students work independently, in a whole group, in pairs and in a small group. Therefore, they have a change to not only learn from me but also from others as well as themselves. I would also encourage my students to ask questions, participate in discussion as well as group activities. Furthermore, I would often asked questions about what the students are interested in so I can integrate that in my lessons and activities. If students are interested in a topic or activity they are more likely to want to learn more about it, thus they become more engaged. In addition, I believe it is important to provide small group as well as one-on-one instruction in order to truly know the needs of my students and to better understand them as lifelong learners.

Why do you want to teach in this school/district?

I'm aware of the high population of Native American students and as a Lakota women and women in general, I'll strive to be a leader and role model for the students at Central High School.

NWEA (northwest evaluation association)

NWEA is a research-based, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. For 40 years, NWEA has developed Pre-K-12 assessments and professional learning offerings to help advance all students along their optimal learning paths.

reading interventionist

Reading interventionists work extensively with students to help them improve specific reading skills such as letter-naming, initial sounds, phoneme segmentation, and comprehension strategies. An interventionist addresses the specific needs of a particular child when regular classroom instruction is not sufficient. Interventionists work with the teacher to design methods of learning that are most appropriate for each child. Interventionists are often former or retired teachers or paraprofessionals who have been trained in conducting these intensive learning sessions

What is standards-based education?

Standards are designed to help students be responsible for their own learning, become good thinkers and problem-solvers, and know what quality work looks like. engages students, not only in the learning process but also in knowing what is expected of them

What are some strategies you plan on using to teach learning-disabled students?

Students with a learning disability need differentiated instruction tailored to their distinctive learning abilities. 1. progress checks processing toward individual or class goal 2 immediate feedback 3. make activities concise and short 4. multisensory experiences

How would you address a wide range of skills and abilities in your classroom? - Same Subject Matter, Different Approaches

Teachers can use a unit concept for all students in the classroom but give students various responsibilities, benchmarks and assessments based on capability. For reading instruction, for instance, students get rewarded based upon how many books they read and comprehend from a level-based list. For a unit about business, students with high math skills could figure sales and income tax, those with poor writing skills could brainstorm marketing ideas and those needing to work on basic math could "run" the cash register.

From your point of view, how important is technology in education. What technology-related skills can you contribute to a school district?

Technology can be a very useful tool in supporting students not only in mastering standards, but preparing them for a technology-driven future. I have utilized technology in all settings: whole group, small group, independent centers, and research with partners. I have experience using SMART Boards, iPads, laptops, Google Drive, Google Classroom, RazKids, BrainPop Jr. Mystery Doug, Mystery Science, Pearson Realize, Collaborative Classroom Class Tag, Infinite Campus, Fipgrid, etc. Technology is very beneficial in helping kids remain engaged in their learning and can move at a pace that best fits their learning.

504

The 504 Plan is a plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives accommodations that will ensure their academic success and access to the learning environment.

DRA (developmental reading assessment)

The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a standardized reading test used to determine a student's instructional level in reading. The DRA is administered individually to students by teachers and/or reading specialists. Students read a selection (or selections) and then retell what they have read to the examiner. As the levels increase, so does the difficulty level for each selection.

IEP

The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.

If I walked into your classroom, what would it look like?

The desks would be in pods where students can have conversations, collaborate, and learn from one another. Alternate seating around the room. clean, organized, safe walking paths, enrichment area, centers

What can you tell me about inclusion?

The idea that special-needs children should be included in all activities and functions of the regular classroom regardless of background or level of ability.

IEP

The information in an IEP can give you a deeper understanding of your child's strengths and challenges. And it should lay out exactly how the school plans to help your child improve and build skills.

Positive classroom environment on the first few days of school?

The initial days of a new school year are critical- 1. meeting and greeting at the door of my classroom welcoming each student 2. talk briefly about myself and share with my students my own education, my family, and my philosophy of education. 3. share rules and expecations

Behavior Plan

The plan has three key parts. First, the plan lists the problem behavior. Second, it describes why it's happening. Third, it puts in place strategies or supports to help.

IEP (individualized education plan) (special education services)

The process of getting an IEP for your child can be confusing. It's important to know what happens—and when. The first step is having an evaluation for special education. Then the school must decide whether your child qualifies for services and supports.

RTI

The word intervention is key to understanding what RTI is all about. The goal is for the school to intervene, or step in, and start helping before anyone falls really far behind. RTI isn't a specific program or type of teaching. It's a proactive approach to measuring students' skills and using this data to decide which types of targeted teaching to use.

Acadience or Dibels

To help your students move forward, you first need to know where they're at. Backed by years of rigorous research, our assessments allow you to identify where students are struggling and help them get back on track. Acadience measures are: -Quick to administer -Easy to score and record -Designed for universal screening -Supportive of Common Core standards -Access core early literacy skills

Do you believe you are qualified for this position?

Yes, I have my k-12 technology endorsement,

RTI (Response to Intervention)

a multi-tiered intervention matched to the students needs while monitoring students progress over time assessment Dibels- acadience to drive instruction phonological awareness accuracy fluency with connected text comprehension vocabulary

performance standards

answer the questions What does good performance look like? How good is good enough?

inquiry-based learning

ask, investigate, create, discuss, reflect Front-loaded well, generates such excitement in students that neurons begin to fire, curiosity is triggered, and they can't wait to become experts in answering their own questions

How would you handle varied reading abilities in your classroom?

assessments such as Dibels, DRA, NWEA, RTI, guided reading approach, differentiated instruction -screen at the beginning, middle, and end -progress monitor

Toughest aspect of discipline?

consistency! Making sure that I follow through with rules and expectations. I should not hand out lots of warnings without following through on consequences

How do you plan to individualize instruction?

cooperative learning, journaling, peer tutoring, inquiry-based teaching, problem-based learning, hands on minds on projects, simulations, role playing.

content standards

describe what students should know or be able to do in ten content areas: language arts, math, social studies, science, fine arts, health, physical education, world languages, career and life skills and educational technology.

504 Plan

diabetes

How do you know students have learned what you taught them?

evaluation - part of the learning process -formative, informal, summative evaluation,

stages of phonological awareness

first, students need to know spoken sounds have meanings, then awareness of words with sentences, recognize rhyme, clap syllables, blend onset and rime, produce rhyme, isolate beginning or ending sound, segmenting and blending, add, delete substitute phonemes

guided reading

heart and soul to reading program DRA assessed to figure out their instructional reading level in which teachers guide students through more difficult reading materials in order to achieve higher levels of comprehension and greater independence in reading. small, flexible, and ever-changing groups

What three adjectives would you use to describe yourself?

passionate- good teachers have a love for children and a passion for the subjects they teach; i certainly have a passion for language arts inquisitive- effective teachers continuously ask questions looking for new explanations and answers. flexible- i'm willing to modify, bend and adjust-never letting the little things, or the inevitable interruptions get me down. This, I believe, gives me and my students incredible opportunities to succeed.

reading comprehension-instruction

reading is lived-through experience or event activating linking background knowledge to text help students read constructively and interact with text and ask questions or understanding