Interview Objectives and Products
I completed my interview of Ms. Kimberly Mikus, a kindergarten teacher at St. Martin de Porres school in Oakland's urban core where I volunteer, on June 2, 2016, and completed my second interview of Mrs. Beth Kromer, a 4th grade teacher at Ruby Bridges School in suburban Alameda on Friday, June 17th. Mrs. Kromer and I agreed that I would support her as a student teacher in the fall of 2016.
Below are two essays:
1. One Teacher's Quest to Teach for Learning and Understanding
2. Teaching Diverse and Low Income Students in a Combined Grade Classroom with Limited Resources
I based the first essay on my interview with Ms. Mikus and the second on my interview with Mrs. Kromer.
To download the essays click on the appropriate file name below.
Below are two essays:
1. One Teacher's Quest to Teach for Learning and Understanding
2. Teaching Diverse and Low Income Students in a Combined Grade Classroom with Limited Resources
I based the first essay on my interview with Ms. Mikus and the second on my interview with Mrs. Kromer.
To download the essays click on the appropriate file name below.
wjsmith_mikus_interview_16jun2016.pdf | |
File Size: | 217 kb |
File Type: |
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Objective
I interviewed and two teachers, a kindergarten teacher and a combined 4th-5th grade teacher, each with more than 10 years of experience. I also observed the kindergarten teacher in her classroom on several occassions over two years. The interview included questions designed to better understand the issues of how students learn, how to teach them to understand and what approaches are practical in their classrooms.
After the interview, I two essays on my findings in connection with the course curriculum and other research I am doing for my readings. The paper included:
i. the positions/conclusions that I am supporting
ii. the findings that support the position/conclusion from both my interviews and my own research
iii. a comparison and contrast of the findings from the interview with the findings of my research
iv. applications of the findings in the classrooms
v. methods for applying the findings in my own classroom
vi. source citations.
I interviewed and two teachers, a kindergarten teacher and a combined 4th-5th grade teacher, each with more than 10 years of experience. I also observed the kindergarten teacher in her classroom on several occassions over two years. The interview included questions designed to better understand the issues of how students learn, how to teach them to understand and what approaches are practical in their classrooms.
After the interview, I two essays on my findings in connection with the course curriculum and other research I am doing for my readings. The paper included:
i. the positions/conclusions that I am supporting
ii. the findings that support the position/conclusion from both my interviews and my own research
iii. a comparison and contrast of the findings from the interview with the findings of my research
iv. applications of the findings in the classrooms
v. methods for applying the findings in my own classroom
vi. source citations.
Teachers
Kindergarten: St. Martin de Porres School
Fourth grade: Ruby Bridges School
Kindergarten: St. Martin de Porres School
Fourth grade: Ruby Bridges School
Questions
1. What do you find most rewarding about teaching?
2. Do you concur with the finding that by the time a child reaches third grade, expert observers can predict which children will do well in high school and college and which will not? Why or why not?
3. How do you engage your students in math and what are their attitudes towards math?
4. What do your students learn from single-subject instruction versus multi-disciplinary projects or activities?
5. If you could, what would you do more of in your classroom? What additional support would enable you to do more?
6. What are the most important qualifications and attitudes for teaching students?
2. Do you concur with the finding that by the time a child reaches third grade, expert observers can predict which children will do well in high school and college and which will not? Why or why not?
3. How do you engage your students in math and what are their attitudes towards math?
4. What do your students learn from single-subject instruction versus multi-disciplinary projects or activities?
5. If you could, what would you do more of in your classroom? What additional support would enable you to do more?
6. What are the most important qualifications and attitudes for teaching students?