Teacher Interview

Earl Morgan Teacher Interview Ivy Tech Community College

Teacher Interview Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Teacher Interview Dranita Coleman-Morrow has played a big role in my life. First, shes my cousin and seeing your family develop is beautiful thing. Dranita is from Thomasville Georgia. She has always had a passion of being a teacher. Growing up she always wanted to play school and she would always be the teacher. She loved to read and teaching other about reading. She has always been a positive helper because I could call on for homework resources and now that I am pursuing a career in education she became my mentor. Dranita has been teaching for 8 years and now she has been promoted to Assistant Principal. She attended Thomasville High. Then, she went on to Georgia Southern and earned an undergraduate degree in Early Child Education. She started off teaching 3 and 4th grade and she continued her pursuit of more education by earning an Administrative license. She now serves as an Assistant Principle at Kanoheda Elementary School.

When I asked Dranita what it takes to be an effective teacher? She began by saying that it all begins with you and your ability to have to have open mind. She told me that each day will bring new and unexpected obstacles to overcome and that you must adapt to. Therefore, you must be able to handle a significant amount of adversity, especially early in your teaching career. She told me that you must have flexibility and patience. Because patience is one of the core doctrines of teaching as everything about teaching will be in a constant state of change. There will be interruptions and disruptions as they will be the norm and very few days are typical. Therefore, a flexible and patient attitude is important not only for your stress level but also for your students who expect you to be in charge and take control of any situation. She also said that even with a positive attitude you will be thrown many curveballs in life and especially in the teaching profession. A positive outlook will help you deal with these challenges in the best way. When asked about her beliefs, she answered by stating that she has consistently tried to influence and guide her students in their character development. She also provides the her students with a caring environment. Many of your students will come from broken families and many of your students will be

Teacher Interview overwhelmed by their own personnel problems. Most of their emotional needs are not met and she always hoped to nurture that kind of loving community in school. These students need an environment where they can find acceptance and love. There is so much potential in each one of them and sometimes, it just takes a word of encouragement to bring that out. Dranita also wants to teach her students to have a heart for the community, to care and love each other people they will encounter in life. The students should also be joyful and thankful always. And of course, the students must strive to succeed in life. When asked what makes a great teacher, she said first, a passion for teaching. The best teachers know that they are teachers for much more than the time they are in the physical classroom. You must understanding that being a great teacher is a constant struggle and you must seek ways to always improve your skills. Outstanding teachers continually grow by taking college and in-service courses, reading professional literature, and engaging others in serious conversation about school issues. Often,

the finest teachers serve on education committees or become teacher experts who lead study groups or professional development courses. Great teachers also place a priority on keeping parents informed about their children's progress, and they sensitively help parents understand their children's problems. These teachers understand that the lack of a strong partnership between teachers and families may undo many of their best efforts. A great teacher is one a student remembers and cherishes forever. Teachers have long-lasting impact on the lives of their students, and the greatest teachers inspire students toward greatness. A great teacher is very engaging and holds the attention of students in all discussions. A great teacher establishes clear objectives for each lesson and works to meet those specific objectives during each class. A great teacher also has good classroom management skills and can ensure good student behavior, effective study and work habits, and an overall sense of respect in the classroom.

Teacher Interview

When asked about and advisee for future teacher, she provided some wonderful incites. She told me to ask myself this question and I should be honest, and be open with myself. Are you really committed to teaching? Do you love serving other people? Are you passionate about the opportunity to work with learners to find their own skills and find their own passions? Can you contribute? Do you want to really take on the challenge of teaching? She said I must be willing to let others help me. She said I will encounter times when I may think that doing things on your own shows strength and determination. Dranita said that I must make Sunday my day of rest away from schoolwork. Resist the temptation to give in and do this or that for the next school week. My personal experience is that if you focus on the principles of faith, testimony and service on Sunday, the Lord will magnify you during the week to accomplish what is necessary. Being the great teacher you want to be is a place to which you will never completely arrive. Youll always feel you can do better, can reach out more to a challenging student, can improve a lesson, or need more time to prepare. None of that changes over the lifetime of a teacher. But I promise that if you do all you can reasonably do and attend to matters of perspective, balance, and faith your career as a teacher will be richly rewarding and simply spectacular.