TEACHER INTERVIEW

Michelle Browning Jamie Smith

INTASC Standard

Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration

The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

DECIDING TO ENTER TEACHING

Teacher A: E. ODonnell

Why?

A love of learning, which is absolutely essential to the teaching profession

How long in the teaching profession?

15 years in elementary, 18 total including preschool

What grades?

Currently in a Montessori 6-9 class, but licensed K-8 in general education, K-12 in special education.

DECIDING TO ENTER TEACHING

Teacher B: J. Davy

Why?

Always enjoyed working with kids, seeing kids learn and understanding a concept.

How long in the teaching profession?

1.5 years in classroom, 3.5 years ABA School

What grades?

Currently Teaches at Cornerstone Autism Center. Taught 2nd and 5th grade

TRAITS OF AN EFFECTIVE TEACHER

Modify curriculum to meet every students needs Openness and availability Patience

Stay current and constantly evolve

Use classroom time and classroom management effectively Be organized Have good communication with the given population

Age, academic level, socio-economic level

Mean what you say and say what you mean

Be consistent

Have a thorough understanding of your content level AND know the content of the levels before and after your own grade level

Know where they come from and where they are going

MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY OF A GOOD TEACHER

You MUST love the job. Having determination that you are going to make lessons and have material that will benefit all of the children. How to avoid Burnout

Changing!

Changing your skill set, your classroom arrangement, or even your entire class. Even if you need to change grade levels or schools, it is better than getting burned out on the job. Husband (In Ms. ODonnells specific case) Friends/Family Administration Make sure your home life and work life are balanced, without one overtaking the other.

Having a great support system

Having a good balance

CHALLENGES FOR TEACHERS

Lack of support that you get at home. (Teacher B) Disrespect from society. They become the scape goat for all of societys problems. Teachers get the brunt on situations where children have real life issues.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

In a classroom the parents and the children should feel that they can approach the teacher

Montessori Method

Individualized and child-centered Developmentally appropriate curriculum as opposed to the traditional curriculum which is based solely on age

Avoidance of one size fits all teaching; Standardization

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY (Continued)

Changed over the years?

Teacher A

Didnt put in consideration of how hard it would be. No, always been a Montessorian Although, ideas about special needs has changed over the years. Feels conflicted on the practices of inclusion in special education.

Teacher B

Inclusion can be at the expense of the general education students in the class Academic ability DOES NOT always align with age-group. Therefore, some inclusion students on the general education side and the special needs side are at a disadvantage States that sometimes inclusion can be a disservice to everyone in the class and will not help integrate the special needs student into an appropriate classroom

CLASSROOM AND TEACHING STRATEGIES

Because classroom is Montessori it is much different from those in traditional schools

Offer choice of works

With this freedom comes responsibility

Room is divided into curricular areas so that if the students are emerged in one specific subject that day they are able to stay in one part of the room. This also helps with organization. Respect each and every child AND their efforts fairly. Change the classroom set-up based on the childrens needs Make the classroom beautiful, even if done with used furniture and DIY crafts

EFFECTIVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Be prepared! Dont use whole-class punishments for the misbehavior of a few students Privately discuss inappropriate behavior with individual students Consequences and rewards should be equal to behavior BE CONSISTANT

LESSON PLANS AND STATE STANDARDS

DISCLAIMER: Montessori Education is usually privately funded and therefore not required to meet state standards.

Having worked in public school, state standards are familiar and incorporated in teaching strategies.

Standards are more of a guide for lessons rather than a list of goals.

Follow the child in his development and readiness for a lesson.

Observe when the child is ready for a new lesson and plan accordingly
Quality education is always more important than the quantity of information taught

MOST EXCITING ASPECTS OF TEACHING

Its just fun! Loves watching the children develop understanding, watching their academic growth and success. Seeing the results and growth when the child understands a concept

MOST SUPPORT TO BE AN EFFECTIVE TEACHER FROM ANOTHER PERSON

Teacher A:

A great Montessori trainer A good friend who has taught longer Has worked in both private and public school also Is able to give much insight on certain situations

Teacher B:

Taught with a couple phenomenal teachers that helped her guide her learning as a teacher and were mentors as well Her moms experience and the relationships and bonds her mom had with the children since she was such an effective teacher and her inspiration .

INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS

Let them know they are always welcome in the classroom Be receptive and responsive

Easy at a small private school, much more difficult in public school

FREE FOOD! Always a good motivator to get parents to come to events Dont overwhelm parents with information, go slow. Remember: Many parents do not have good experiences with school. Reassure parents that you know they are good parents to their children. Sometimes parents just need someone to listen to them DO NOT JUDGE. Remember that there are things in your students lives you cannot control. Must simply focus on the positives. Sent home newsletters weekly, skills and everything we were working on that week. Cornerstone -notebooks are used at school to explain what they can be practicing at home as well as emailed and called the parents so she had a relationship with them

HOW MUCH TIME IS SPENT GRADING/PREPARING

Around 2 hours per day at Montessori Garden Academy(Teacher A)

Only has 13 students without much paper homework to grade HOWEVER Montessori schools require different (expensive!) materials, so much time is spent by teachers cutting out and laminating works, preparing lessons, and finding materials to be used in the classroom Much more at IPS. Around 3-4 hours each day!

Weekly 5-8 hours while teaching in a classroom setting. (Teacher B)

ADVICE FOR A FUTURE TEACHER

Eileen ODonnell

Jennifer Davy

Just know it is going to be hard. You have to love what you do in order to succeed. And also know that its never too late to change careers. Even if you decide teaching isnt for you, you can always find something else to suit your abilities.

Persevere working hard ,stay positive and have thick skin, not everyone will like you and thats okay.
Every new year you become a better teacher and dont become complacent. You need to continue on growth.

Work Cited
E. ODonnell, personal communication, September 13, 2013 J. Davy, personal communication, September 6, 2013