For this interview assignment, I chose to interview a very successful kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school. I decided to interview a kindergarten teacher over any other elementary level teachers, as I am most interested in pursuing a career in teaching kindergarten myself. I have spent quite a bit of time in some kindergarten classrooms and have found them to be some of the most difficult, yet also the most rewarding classes to work with. In a kindergarten classroom, my sense of professionalism and responsibility is heightened with the realization that these 20+ sweet, young faces are dependant on me for not just their education, but also for their safety and their well-being. Out of the three kindergarten teachers at this school, …show more content…
This slight change in language and manner generates enduring development in the students way of thinking and problem-solving. Answering a child’s question with another question, and then patiently waiting for their response allows the student to process the situation on their own, and to come up with an independent solution. Thus, the students can feel more confidence and success within themselves, instead of the hollow praise they might receive after obediently following instructions. For example, after reading an article online, Mrs. Hjorth has trained her students not to apologize. For kindergarteners, an apology is too abstract; when it is said with no understanding of why and is then accepted with the same amount of indifference, the student only learns that the words “I’m sorry” are only a get out of jail free card. It does not teach them ownership of their actions or correct their mistakes. Instead, Mrs. Hjorth implements a more proactive solution. She has taught her students to say, “I’m sorry, how can I help?”. This works on a variety of levels; if a student hurts another child, they are then given the responsibility of helping that child, by caring for their needs such as walking them to the nurse. This strategy also facilitates emotional problem solving within peer
Over the years, I feel I have been guided by God to pursue Elementary Education, which narrows my focus to the kindergarten classroom. I will clearly define the most helpful theories that may be implemented throughout the kindergarten learning environment. Effective teacher characteristics will be identified and why they are imperative for this particular age group. Young children have different learning characteristics and it is important for teachers to recognize and accommodate to the needs of their students. Throughout this course, I have discovered certain characteristics about myself and I will elaborate on my unique learning styles.
Rita Pierson has discovered a way to incorporate positive reinforcement without setting her students up to fail. During her speech, she offers personal experience to help support her theory that acknowledging the correct answers over incorrect answer can lead to confidence building in a pupil’s self-esteem and creating a trustful human connection with the student. Rita offers a comfortable and wisdom providing argument wrapped in a presentation that shows passion for how teachers and student relationship should be. Her over all demeanor has the audience listening, learning and engaging as she shares her beliefs with a passionate smile on her face. To top off the speech she adds some comedic relief that encourages the connections with her listeners. The room was set in a lecture classroom like setting with Rita being highlighted. Everyone looking down at Rita as she presents her argument about human connections and positive criticism in today’s classrooms.
Describe a strategy from outside your organization – or even the education sector – that could radically improve the American preK-12 education system
Paraprofessionals and teachers play an important role in the success of children development. Typically, Paraprofessionals and teachers provide support and guidance in the classroom. When it was time for me to interview a Paraprofessional and teacher it was important to me to ask questions but also fully understand the answers that are given to me so that I can grow professionally when I became a paraprofessional or teacher. I asked both teachers the same questions and told them to elaborate on anything else they would like to discuss that goes on in the classroom. The role of the paraprofessional in the classroom environment is often imprecise and leaves too much room for clarification which can contribute to being frustrated in the role
Preschool teachers have not been given the credit they deserve, with lots of people over looking their importance. Being a preschool teacher is more than just watching a couple of kids for a couple of hours. This field requires a lot preparation and behind the scene work that put into the job, so it really is not as easy as it may seem. Preschool could possibly shape the rest of their academic lives. At this level of school the children learn their basic building blocks for learning that they will use forever. That leaves parents with big expectations for the teacher. And for the teacher, they will have to set goals, have a plan to reach those goals, and for the most part
My dad, because he has a good job and he can be lazy whenever he wants to and he gets to buy whatever he wants.
Sequences of development are the order in which children develop; all children follow the same sequence of development but at different rates.
I decided to interview a friend of mine who just started her second year of teaching. She works for a Middle School in Westchester County, teaching 6th and 7th grade math. I asked her a series of questions about her whole experience on becoming a teacher. I was relieved to hear what her first few days were like being a new teacher, because that could be nerve racking for any new teacher. She explained to me that she was shocked on her first few days, and overwhelmed with the respect she immediately received from her students. They greet her in the hallway, and thank her as they leave class. I could just imagine how good that would feel to get that reaction from your students. When I asked her why she decided to teach the grade that she is in, she explained to me that she chose to do middle school because it is a crucial time for development in an adolescents life, and also a challenging time.
Mrs. Lawrence: When planning a lesson, I start with the objective. What is it I am supposed to be cover. Once I know, I start with a hook. I access their prior knowledge then I move on with either an example or model. All along I ask questions to make sure the students
I interviewed a childcare teacher engaged in the Early Childhood Development. She graduated from East Tennessee State University. She has been intrigued by children her entire life, she has volunteered with children with disabilities and worked with children since age 16. You can say that teaching has been a dream job of hers. Going through the interview I went through a series of questions as follows. What are positive and negative parts about being a teacher? What disciplinary styles work the best? And how can teaching in America be improved?
Teaching early childhood children is not a job that should be taken lightly. At this age, you are building the foundation of learning and setting the precedence of what they see school as. It is my role as an educator to take responsibility for every child’s educational development. Each day in an early childhood classroom is full of challenges, but it is also full of laughs, smiles, and enthusiasm to learn. I firmly believe that every child is capable of learning, however, every child learns in their own pace and in their own way. Children need to feel that their teacher cares for them and is enthusiastic about their learning. This will help motivate them and maximize their learning. From there, the sky is the limit in the classroom! As an educator, I need to be conscious of learning and social development in order to reach every child and make sure they succeed. It is my job to see that every student is growing both academically and socially.
A sit-down interview, in the interviewee’s classroom, on April 22, 2017, results in responses from Rachel, a female Elementary Education teacher at Deerfield Elementary School, in Deerfield, Wisconsin. Containing eight initial questions and two response follow-up inquiries, this interview represents a 4-year Kindergarten grade level perspective, and utilizes eleven years of teaching experience. As a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate, Rachel began her career in Milwaukee before accepting her current position of nine years. With extensive knowledge of the field, Rachel qualifies as an excellent resource, both when actively pursuing plans to become an Elementary Education
The teacher I interviewed has taught for more than ten years at the same school. She started as a fourth grade teacher but she now works as an interventionist.
It has been well established that early childhood is a crucial time for children’s cognitive development (Bowman, Donovan & Burns, 2001). Preschool curriculum is the entire span of lessons and teachings that a child will be taught during the course of a preschool year (Rock, 2015). Preschool curriculum covers a wide variety of academic, social, physical, and emotional lessons and usually vary from school to school and teaching method to teaching method. Depending upon the school and the preschool philosophy employed by the preschool, the preschool curriculum can be developed by administrators, teachers, and parents.
the end of the week some of them could to these tasks. I also helped