Rachael Parrish

Dr. Miller- ELED 3226

Clinical- Teacher Interview

Due: 3/26

Teacher Interview Questions:

Planning Questions:
1. How do you write a typical lesson plan?
- The typical lesson plan has to be written keeping in mind what the grade level is working on as
all the teachers at the level have to be at the same pacing guide and discuss what they are
working on and what their objectives are during their collective planning period.
2. How do you accommodate individual differences in your classroom that you can plan
for?
- The individual differences are always a challenge to accommodate especially for a new teacher.
Seek the advice of an experienced teacher to have a plan on how to best group these children and
what strategies work best to assure their success.
Instructional Questions:
3. What are some of your biggest challenges of being a teacher?
- In reality the biggest challenge is fulfilling the needs / demands and concern of each parent, as
that takes the teacher away from their primary job of teaching.
4. What have been some of your instructional successes as a teacher?
- Working with ESL students and students with no recognition of alphabets / numbers has been
most gratifying. Their academic success comes with a lot of hard work, patience and the use of
numerous strategies to encourage and build their confidence. I consider their growth and success
as my biggest reward.
5. What do you consider to be essential characteristics for successful teaching?
- The most essential characteristic for successful teaching in my experience has been of giving
very clear consistent instructions and having high expectations of your students, encouraging
them to work hard and be successful.
6. Is there a specific grade(s) level that you prefer teaching for instructional reasons?
- I have always taught children between 3-6 years, as they are empty vessels ready to be filled
and are like little sponges willing to soak in all the information received.
Classroom Management Questions:
7. How do you pace and make sure that your class stays on track?
- I do this by always being aware of each child's strength and weaknesses and assuring that they
are all focused and productive every day.

Rachael Parrish
Dr. Miller- ELED 3226
Clinical- Teacher Interview

Due: 3/26

8. How do you establish yourself in the first days of the school year?
- That is the most important day as the students look to you for your ground rules and your
expectations, and you are responsible for laying the foundation of a productive year.
9. How do you typically manage behavioral problems?
- I speak respectfully to the child and make it very clear that the expectation is that they treat
everyone respectfully too. I try to resolve behavior problems independently but do not hesitate to
involve the parent if the behavior is repetitive.
10. What would your advice be a first year teacher regarding classroom management?
- Classroom management is the key to the success of any teacher and is crucial for a first year
teacher. My advice is that the teacher should be confident of their realistic expectations from
their students and spend the first few weeks laying the ground work for the consistency of these
expectations.