Summary

In which department area is the content that you teach?

036912EnglishMathSocial StudiesScienceMusicPhysical EduSpecial Ed.Specials (ex:
Question
English
Math
Social Studies
Science
Music
Physical Education
Special Ed.
Specials (ex: Art, Graphic Design, Manufacturing)

Count
13
5
8
6
1
0
3
2
English

13

46.4%

Math

17.9%

Social Studies

28.6%

Science

21.4%

Music

3.6%

Physical Education

0%

Special Ed.

10.7%

Specials (ex: Art, Graphic Design, Manufacturing)

7.1%

Of the four builldings in Columbia Borough, which do you teach in?

036912Park ElementaTaylor ElemenMiddle SchoolHigh School (9
Question

Count

Park Elementary (K-4th)

Taylor Elementary (5th-6th)
Middle School Campus (7th-8th)
High School (9th-12th)

9
6
9
13
Park Elementary (K-4th)

30%

Taylor Elementary (5th-6th)

20%

Middle School Campus (7th-8th)

30%

High School (9th-12th)

13

43.3%

Do you feel as though your instructional style has changed over the
tenure of your teaching career?
10%90%

Yes
No (Skip next question)

27
3
Yes

27

90%

No (Skip next question)

10%

For what reasons did your style of teaching change?

Technology, Needs of Students Improvement of my craft
As I continue to grow as a teacher my style continually changes. Most changes occur to fit the students
that I am currently teaching.
Hybrid classroom
Everything evolves and changes over time. As the students change year to year you need to adapt your
teaching style to meet their needs. I also learned from many mistakes over the years and used that
information to make my lessons more successful. Unfortunately the major reason for change has been
the testing requirements. I teach directly to the Keystone Exam now and had to cut out many of the really
interesting things that I used to teach.
Professional development
1. The maturity that comes from my position. 2. The type of students that I have encountered over the
years. 3. The need to meet my students where they are.
Type of students, standardize testing, likes/dislikes of students, personal likes/dislikes
More experience and the ability to master the subject/grade level I teach.
I have gotten my masters in educational technology
Based on the needs of the students, the requirements specified and the expectations of the
district/school/department
My lessons change according to the needs of the students in the class.
I needed to find different ways of reaching my students. This has changed over time. I have also held
three different positions in this district. With each change in position, my instructional style has changed.
More comfortable with trying new things. Attempting to keep students engaged.
I plan better. I discipline better. I can manage many groups.
As I learn, I have adapted my teaching style and strategies. Also, different groupings of students require
different strategies.
Students change, therefore, style needs to change.
Being a first year I've had to adapt to my new surroundings and I also try to mix up my style so that my
students don't get bored.

Mostly because of technology, but also because expectations in my grade level have changed. I teach
kindergarten and when I began my career, kindergarten was only half day. Now it is full day. We learned
some letters and numbers. We also did a lot of socialization activities. The focus was not academics. Now
the focus is academics and all children are expected to read and write when they leave kindergarten. We
also are working on the smart board and using computers daily.
New technologies have come out and are useful in differentiating instruction in the classroom.
Desire to improve student performance Conferences that introduced improved instruction Streamlining
Professional Development, District Initiatives, Teacher Reflection
Continuing education.
Growing as a professional and learning what strategies work and don't work from year to year.
While the basic structure has stayed the same, I have taught in school districts where the frequency of
classes has been different. Also, I now incorporate more activities where students have a voice and more
input.
Experience, changes to curriculum, administrative changes
1. Professional Development via finishing my Master's as well as the opportunity to partake in the Literacy
Cohort through the district. 2. Since I have had had my own children my perspective has changed-

How often are student teachers and block students in your building?
17.2%27.6%44.8%
Very often
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never

5
13
8
2
1
Very often

17.2%

Often

13

44.8%

Sometimes

27.6%

Rarely

6.9%

Never

3.4%

How many transitions do you have in a classroom per block/period?

13%13%65.2%
5+

3-4
1-2
None

15
3
2
5+

13%

3-4

15

65.2%

1-2

13%

None

8.7%

Regardless of location, for how many years have you taught?

13.3%36.7%26.7%
0-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
30+

4
8
11
2
2
1
2
0-5

13.3%

6-10

26.7%

11-15

11

36.7%

16-20

6.7%

21-25

6.7%

26-30

3.3%

30+

6.7%

What do you think is the single greatest difficulty in public education at

this time?
Over-testing the students
The lack of the family unit and splintered home life. This often shows in in the classroom.
Decline of parental involvement and support. Lack of respect for education.
Funding
The inequality in the amount of funding for each district.
Lack of funding has lead to cuts in education and not as many opportunities for my students.
Standardized testing

Standardized testing with the idea that every child is different yet capable of achieving the same exact
thing...
Lack of student accountability
Mandated testing
lack of respect
Keeping up with the paperwork.
Lack of funding
Matching curriculum to the state testing.
Parent/Public support
Keystone Testing
Lack of parent accountability and involvement.
Inconsistency
Students who think they can get away with anything. The throw out the "race card." Or their parent will get
them out of trouble. Also common core can be very hard for lower leveled students.
Standardized Tests
time management - meeting the needs of the students while also meeting the needs of all the
accountability measures
Resource Availability
The ever changing requirements for teachers and emphasis on standardized testing.
Lack of funding and blame on the educators. In our building, the answer is completely different.
Being held accountable for the lack of interest/ motivation on the part of the students & their families.
Non-realistic standards--child development is not taken into account when standards are written.
Funding for public schools.
Student apathy
Inequity of funding that allows some districts to have substantially more resources than others while the
expectations are the same.

What do you think is the greatest success in public education at this

time?
This is a difficult question to answer. Education is an extremely difficult field and educators face many
challenges daily. I think that the greatest success is truly when a teacher has the ability to reach his/her
students; nothing globally but more individually.

I think it's the people who are subjected to a system that is flawed and yet still care and work to better
themselves in the educational process (whether student, teacher or administrator).
Perseverance
The greatest success in public education at this time is the ability to offer a wide range of classes and
materials, services to students with special needs, and access to highly qualified teachers.
N/A
The parents who are involved and their students are growing because of it. This is great. Also teachers
who are changing their instruction because the new standards and expectations of students.
That all children have the opportunity to get an education if they put forth effort and take advantage of
what is offered. Most teachers are very dedicated and want to help their students.
seamless integration of emergent technologies into education
I think the biggest success is that every student has access to an equal opportunity to receive a quality
education.
Technology!
The teachers!! We are able to reach our students no matter what life or the government throws our way.
Diversity of instruction
As a country we give the opportunity for everyone no matter social class, race, religion, or disability to
receive an free education.
Making connections with my students.
When our students succeed
We are still creating adults that are successful!
We continue to have caring people willing to enter the profession in spite of the difficulties they will face.
Difficult to come up with a success.
Accessibility of education
Diversity
addition of and adaptations to new technology

Number of daily responses

06121824
May 13, 2015
May 14, 2015

23
3