Teacher Interview

ProjectSyeda H. Qasmi

Ivy Tech Community College

INTASC Standard, Description, RationaleStandard# 3: Learning Environments

The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

Name of Artifact: Teacher Interview Project

Date: February, 7, 2014

Course: EDUC 101

Brief Description:

I interviewed two practicing K-12 teachers for this assignment. Through this assignment I was able to learn different strategies of teaching, and how and in what means they view teaching. After this session I had a clear idea about making my decision more firm and in choosing teaching as a career.

Rationale:

To document my understanding of Standard# 3 Learning Environments, in which I have interviewed some teachers to learn their different styles of teaching, their reason for joining field of Education, and their believes about TEACHING.

Teachers Interviewed:

Ms. Neelum Safdar

Ms. Heba Elshakmek

Introduction/ Background of Ms. Safdar:

Ms. Neelum Safdar currently teaches Chemistry. She has taught for more than ten years. Mrs. Safdar taught from 7th – 11th grade. According to Mrs. Safdar, “I teach because I love teaching, and there is a certain satisfaction in seeing a child’s face light up when they understand something”.

Q. What are the traits of an effective teacher?

In the words of Ms. Safdar:

Understanding of the needs of each child

Able to adjust teaching for every grade

Q. What is the single most important quality of a good teacher?

Being able to manage the classroom so that teaching can occur.

Q. What are the values, beliefs or philosophy about teaching profession, according to Ms. Safdar. Have they changed over the years, how?

According to Ms. Safdar, “Teaching is an honorable

and necessary profession, I don’t think society values

it much as compared to other professions. Before I

was involved I thought the same way, but now I see

how it can change the lives of children.

Classroom and Teaching Strategies; Ms. Safdar:

Open, I welcome interaction, and questions.

Set rules and follow through I use the state standards as a guideline. I

like to challenge and enrich the lessons with extra information, if the level of class is capable of (varies with each class because each class has a different level of understanding).

Q. What are the most exciting aspects of teaching, and work?

In the words of Neelum Safdar, “I like to see

children reach for the best they can do”. Ms. Neelum

says that she enjoys when different view points are

presented by each child.

Q. How do you encourage involvement of parents and families in the school and your classroom?

By emailing, and arranging parent teacher conferences, and keeping them involved in each activity that is being done by the students.

Q. What are most difficult challenges for teachers?

Keeping the children who are not interested in

certain subject, make it interesting for them.

Q. What is the point of view of Ms. Safdar regarding ISTEP, its pros and cons?

The pros are the accountability, but for many

children it does test their true capability.

Q. How does Ms. Safdar knows that she is successful?

Success for me is measured by helping a struggling

child to improve.

Advice for future teachers, by Ms. Neelum Safdar:

When ones get into teaching, don’t forget to remain a

student of learning, whether it is from professional

development, higher education degree, or even your

own students.

Introduction/ Background of Ms. Heba:

In words of Ms. Heba, “I have

been teaching for more than

seven years, I teach Math from

6th – 12th grade. I love teaching

and helping students to learn.

Making math fun and easy for

my students is one of my

goals”.

Traits of an Effective Teacher:

In Ms. Elshakmek’s view:

Classroom management

Motivation

Engaging students in different activities

Positive attitude

Single Most Important Quality of a Good Teacher:

In words of Ms. Heba, “I believe trust is the most important

factor in teaching. Students need to trust their teachers and

believe that he/ she is their to help them. Therefore the most

important quality of a good teacher is to build trust amongst it’s

students”.

Values, Beliefs or Philosophy About the Teaching Profession? Have they changed over the years? How?

According to Ms. Heba, “Teaching is a very noble job, and I still

believe it so, because teacher is one who creates a child, and

makes him/ her able to stand in the society”.

Classroom and Teaching Strategies by Ms. Heba

Arrangement of Classroom Team work, discussion, reward their achievements

Strategies for Effective Classroom Management Rules, and reviewing them everyday

Lesson Plans, and State Standards in Curriculum All lessons plans are according to state standards, I

usually highlight every standard in my lesson plan.

Support in Learning to be an Effective Teacher

In words of Ms. Heba, “My father, despite the fact he

is not a teacher, but he supported me to be at this level

of teaching and in every hardship that came in life

regarding teaching my father was always there to

support me”.

Involvement of Parents:

Ms. Heba uses the following strategies to keep parents involved: Emails Phone calls Personal meetings Engrade Software, to keep them aware of kids’

grades

Difficult Challenges for Teachers:

Teaching different levels of kids (mental level) in

one class is one of the most difficult challenge.

Pros and Cons of ISTEP, Affect of ISTEP on Teaching

According to Ms. Heba, “ISTEP tests the capability

of the child”.

Self Evaluation:

In words of Ms. Heba, “I compare my performance

with my students progress and try to improve my

teaching skills accordingly”.

Time spent other than work hours for preparation for class:

According to Ms. Heba, “A lot!”

Advice for Future Teachers by Ms. Heba Elshakmek:

Teaching is fun! My advice to future teachers is to be

a good teacher by listening to your students and

know their needs, give them respect and trust so you

can get it back!

Conclusion:

After interviewing both the teachers, I came

to the point that every teacher has a different strategy

of teaching. As there is a famous saying, NO TWO

FINGERS ARE THE SAME.

But that doesn’t at all mean that one method of

teaching is accepted while and the other is discarded

Continued…

Anything that works for the students is the right

method of teaching, provided it is ethically correct.

The important point that I understood after this

interview is that to get the best outcome of teaching is

classroom management, respect students, and last but

not the least gain trust of students. After all, the

students are the backbone for any society.

References

Elshamek H. (2014, February 7). Personal interview.

Safdar N. (2014, February 7). Personal interview.