What three things do you most want to know about your students?

What do you need to know in order to begin your lesson planning for a class?

I would like to know what type of class the students are coming from. How was their last class structured and what did they learn? By knowing the curriculum, I would hope that the students would be taking the next step in their learning rather than a big leap. I would also like to know what the other teachers within my grade are doing and compare lesson plans. Mainly, I would like to have examples and these may only get easier as my teaching experience goes on. I would also like to know who my students other and how much I will have and any accommodations. This will help in making the classroom suitable for all students.

What do you want to know about the school/district community you will serve?

I wish to know the administration within a community and how they treat their teachers. It is fairly and is it a healthy environment to be in? Administration is important to me and to know how much freedom I have with teaching style. Also that the administration is making changes that further improve the school system and not those that will hinder it. That it is a school system that is devoted to doing what is best for the students and the teachers to ensure a great learning environment. I also wish to know what community events the district does to ensure a connection between teachers and parents. All of these things are important when it comes to ensuring that a student’s education is being supported.

How would you promote an inclusive environment in your classroom?

I would ensure an inclusive environment by getting to know each of the students. I would introduce myself as the teacher to the class but also have individual moments with them to learn a little bit about who they are. I would also create activities in which the students would get to know each other. Whether it be by creating a giant circle or taking the first couple of days to introduce each other. Building bonds in a classroom not only makes the students not feel alone but also safer. Having someone in the class one can talk to allows for friendships and bonds to be built. I would also talk about myself as well and my background.

Describe what you would do in your classroom to meet the needs of culturally and racially diverse student populations.

In order to meet the needs culturally and racially, I would make sure that it is know that everyone is valued the same. Hopefully this will be something that they will be taught in years prior. But I also want them to know it by heart. Not that someone would say that they are equal but that they would experience by the way in which I interact with the students. A culturally and racially rich environment is such a beautiful thing because students can learn off one another. They can also not create false biases which may impact the way in which they interact with others. That is way making everyone feel included is so important.

Describe your classroom environment - how does it look, sound, feel?

The classroom environment which I would create would be one that is very calming. I hope to have decorations around the classroom that would a feel of nature. That the students don’t just feel like they are in a stuffy room but rather one that feels fresh and that the students want to be in. I want the classroom to feel like a second home and one where they can focus. I would likely have a scent diffuser to make the classroom smell nice. I hope to keep it organized and have spots for supplies so that students may easily access them. I hope to my the classroom my own but also the student’s own as well.

How would you incorporate technology into the position for which you are applying?

Technology would definitely be a big part of my classroom. From ensuring that students are staying on task to making sure the information is presenting clearly and concisely. I find it often that there is limitations in a classroom due to technology. Teacher may not know how to properly operate a hosting site and be able to convey that to the students. Having a teacher that is technology orientated in the age we are living right now is important. Not only in a classroom but for the students to know for their future. I would hope that classroom feels clean technical wise and not overwhelming.

List and describe two teaching strategies you plan to use in your classroom.

One strategy I plan to use would be collaboration. Collaboration can have so many benefits as it can help students to learn from one another and also not be afraid to throw out ideas. By having the opportunity for students to build relationships with one another, it could be beneficial to the comfortably they have when working in groups. I remember it being harder to work with classmates who I didn’t know. Another teaching strategy would be critical thinking. I would try to test the knowledge of the kids to encourage them to think about other perspectives. To not just focus on the base questions but expand beyond that. Having critical thinking skills can go a long way.

How would you address the wide range of skills of your students?

The way in which I will address the range of skills of my students will be by knowing their accommodations and needs. By understanding where each student is at, I can better equip them to be in the environment that is suited for them. For example, pairing someone who may a bit more about a subject with someone who knows less. It may help to create a balance and also for the person who knows less to learn. I would also want to make sure that the students in my classroom are getting all the support that they need. That can be through assistant teachers or having more time. Students skills will range a lot so it will also be a learning experience.

Please explain how your past personal and professional experiences make you a quality candidate for the position for which you are applying.

I believe the experience that I have with the kids and youth ministry and my clinical, have helped in building my character and confidence in teaching. By taking those first small steps, it opens the door to learning from others and seeing where I need to grow. In both the kids and youth ministries, I have been able to experiment with different styles of teaching. I have also had the ability to have that accountability from others so they may see how I can do better. Through my clinical experience, I have been able to see what a classroom looks like and what is required within one. My work experience through my jobs has also equipped me in working with customers and other people. There is much more I have to learn but where I have been so far has definitely helped in my learning as a future educator.

Describe the skills or attributes you believe are necessary to be an outstanding educator.

The skills to be an outstanding educator is going to vary from person to person. Some teachers may be better at certain things than others. I believe that teachers can definitely learn after another in the process. For an educator, I believe that building relationship with a student is foundational. If you don’t even know the students, how are you to support, encourage, and help them? A second skill would be discipline in the sense that the classroom has boundaries. In order for a learning environment to work, there has to be rules that the students should follow. Another thing is recognizing the role that you as a teacher has and the responsibility of taking care of the kids. It takes a lot of work and who you are to them, may influence how they are to be in the future.