This chapter provides a description of the teachers in the sample in order to provide a richer understanding of their lived experiences. In the following sections, I write about participating teachers’ opinions in an attempt to share how I experienced them in terms of our interactions for this study. Following these rich descriptions, I will present themes that are specific to each case. I will include quotes from the interviews so that the participating teachers’ voices can be heard.
The actual study population consisted of twelve high school teachers—an adequate sample size within the parameters established by Creswell (2007)—all of whom are currently employed in School Districts within the State of Nebraska School Districts. Potential participants were approached via a letter of invitation explaining the purpose of the study, and outlining the need to interview teachers participating in CROP. From this population, a sample of 6 teachers showed interest in participating and were sent an additional email or follow up call to set up a time and date for an interview. All teachers are certified high school teachers from public and private schools in Lincoln, public and private schools in Omaha, and public and private schools within the Education Service Unit 10 (ESU10) service area. All interviewees have participated in CROP for a year or more, and have taught high school physics in Nebraska for at least a year or longer. Creswell (2007) emphasized the importance of sampling
The Essential Conversation: what parents and teachers can learn from each other, written by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, focuses in on the “essential” discussion that occurs between parents and teachers when it comes to a child’s education and life while looking further into the hidden meanings behind this exchange. Lawrence-Lightfoot describes how often times the dialogue that occurs between parents and teachers has hidden undertones such as anxiety along with parental ghosts from the past along with several other trajectories that may impact how effectiveness of parent and teacher discussion/collaboration. The theme of Lawrence-Lightfoot’s book can best be summed up in a quote she shared about parent-teacher conferences; “Beneath the polite surface
Mr. Rose presents many descriptive vignettes of teaching professionals in his life who have influenced him both positively and negatively and whom he has retained for emulation or distinction. These characters in his life include teachers from grammar school throughout his college experience. All have in one way or another left a considerable imprint on his recollection of school and learning.
A general population third grade class was observed to further understand the psychological aspect of teaching. The Title I school classroom observed has sixteen students, eight girls and eight boys, and is almost entirely made up of students from a low socioeconomic status (SES). The desks are arranged with one big horseshoe and two rows of desks inside the horseshoe shape. The teacher has made adjustments to seating assignments and layout due to student behavior and feedback. The class is made up with students eight to nine years old with two students repeating the third grade. Snowman and McCown (2012) highlight that students in this class would be in Erikson’s fourth stage of psychosocial development, industry
The twenty-five stories that are contained in the book, My First Year As A Teacher, are about real teachers and their experiences during the first year of teaching. Each story is different. Some are about memorable students while other stories are about some of the hardships that are encountered as a novice teacher. The diverse sampling of stories in this book gives insight of what kind of problems one might encounter as a teacher, yet they also describe how rewarding the profession can be. I found it rather difficult to choose only ten stories as my favorite but after much consideration and rereading I decided on the following stories because in many ways I could relate to the students as well as the teachers that are given life in these stories.
Only a glimpse into her day but from what I saw, it was all positive. The students are learning how to work well together without adult supervision. They are learning responsibilities and taking care of themselves. They are learning that what they learn in class is important and will be put to use in their own personal life. In having the students participate in the store, it is keeping the students’ interested in learning math daily.
An American psychiatrist by the name of William Glasser once stated, “When you study great teachers…you will learn much more from their caring and hard work than from their style.” Teachers are a huge part of an individual’s life. From the time a person enters into preschool until the complete cessation of their educational career, the teachers and professors along the way each influence that student’s perspective and feeling towards the particular subject they taught. With daily interactions, teachers become a part of a student’s microsystem. They are often times the only other constant adult figure in their student’s life apart from the caregiver. Whether it is acknowledged or not, the importance of teacher cannot be overstated. Unfortunately,
In the newspaper article by author: Sara Drumm, “Protests outside School Board”. There is debate surrounding the issues teachers face throughout every school. Many Americans fail to realize that teaching is no easy task and that it takes full dedication as well as unique skills to teach, while masterfully controlling and executing a classroom.
The teachers chosen for this study were recommended by both parents and principles. These teachers have a passion for learning and created a community in which the students felt safe. The teachers also created a bond with each of their students to prevent competition between each other. They also were not dependent on the standards or textbooks
My decision to be a teacher did not come easily to me. This choice was dependent on a reflection about what I was passionate about and how I could make a difference. I have chosen to become a teacher, as I believe teachers have the ability to provide future generations the stimulation for one of the most significant roles in life; to become a lifelong learner. Many teachers that I have had during my education have had a positive impact on my decision to grow and develop the skills that are fundamental to pursue a successful teaching career. My aim is to be a part of an honorable profession with the optimism that one day I will become an efficacious teacher who can provide future teachers with inspiration, as my teachers have provided for me. Through personal educational experiences and peer-reviewed academic literature, I am able to shape my approach to my pre-service teaching, as it will influence my future practice. As a teacher, there is not just one singular approach to educating students; there is a need for flexibility, diversity, adaptation and reflection.
My first observation experience was eye-opening. Upon my arrival to Providence Catholic High School, I only had basic knowledge about what it took to be an effective teacher. After working with many different teachers at this high school, it became evident that every teacher adopted their own style of teaching. I also began to understand that in order to be a wonderful
The names in this Observation Report have been changed to protect the privacy of the parents and the child.
This past semesters has been an eye opening experience that has changed my views on teacher. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a fourth grade teacher. However after being placed in a second grade classroom my views have changed. I liked the idea of teaching fourth grade because my fourth grade teacher was my inspiration in life. When I was in Ms. Petro’s class I enjoyed being able to watch the students progress over time. Being able to see the drastic improvements in little children is very rewarding and that is why I want to continue to teach lower grades. I have learned that being a teacher requires a special someone, a person who knows that sometimes you will have to deal with tough situations leaving you exhausted and feeling like you are not able to help more. But at the same time, being a teacher allows one to be a visionary for the world and those who surround you.
A small pilot will be conducted to test the data collection procedures, time needed for completion, and competence of the instruments. For this phase, we have partnered with two local districts (Biddeford and Portland). We have partner teachers at the Middle and High School levels. Partner teachers and principals are provided with two options. First, they were allowed choose a collaborating teacher at their school. This would allow the creation of two groups, divided by
Students in Mrs. Morales’s classroom are students are eager to learn. There were 27 students in class and they all clearly had different ways of learning. Despite all of the students learning in different ways, they are all very eager to learn. The students that I observed are in the fourth grade. Angel, Joshier, and Fernando are students that I observed closely and even though they might were are being taught the same topic, their action help exemplify different concepts. They all don’t have the same perspectives and this helped me use and understand different ideas during my observation.
The qualitative feature in this study is only minimal. To alter to a predominately qualitative study; first, Oreck would need to expand the narrative section either through interview or observation. Second, utilize purposeful sample and narrow phenomena scope to ensure rich descriptions for transferability. Whereas, as stated the sample consist of a board spectrum of grades, and types of teachers (specialty, general).