1. Describe the classroom conditions that best facilitate student learning, including strategies you would use to assure maximum learning for all students.
The classroom conditions that best facilitate student learning are those that foster a positive learning environment, accompanied by clearly communicated rules, procedures, and high expectations. This generally takes the form of attendance, active participation, effort, a good attitude, and a sincere attempt by all (student and teacher alike) to exceed expectations. Strategies I would use to assure maximum learning for all students would include thoughtful lesson plans that include incremental skill progressions & modifications based on my knowledge of the mental & physical abilities of my student population, including all intake styles (visual, auditory & kinesthetic), processing styles (purpose/meaning, analysis, concrete & intuitive), special needs, and the presence or lack of resources at home.
2. Describe ways in which you are prepared to address diversity in your instruction.
Good teachers demonstrate enthusiasm for all student’s ability levels. By differentiating learning I will be able to meet the broad range of readiness, interests, abilities, talents, and skills in my classroom. In order to achieve this I plan on presenting content in a variety of ways, and using different assessment practices to meet students needs.
3. Describe your technology skills. Provide an example of how you utilize technology in your current position.
It is so fun to integrate technology into the classroom! I have a wide range of technology skill sets I have been able to use in my position as special education paraprofessional. The use of SmartBoards to link relevant songs to calendar work in the morning, or drag and drop images for a modified lesson on plant parts has been instrumental in addressing student learning styles. I believe it’s no different in my classroom, teaching to music, videos, or hands on activities on the iPad or allowing a class instant access to research materials and Microsoft Word or one of my new favorites, Google Slides, is changing the way we look at learning.
4. What is your vision for education?
The goal is to have a 21st century classroom where teachers digitally empower diverse learners to connect, communicate and collaborate by creating a rich environment indulging technology in the classroom to help them evolve. The main aim is to help the students learn in a more impactful manner by integrating words with visuals and other means of technology to help them grasp more. 21st century education does not involve only learning the traditional way, but also to integrate technology to help make the world a smaller place, to make the interaction go beyond the classroom and classmate to virtual trips and multi-region and multi-nation interactivity to commence projects and work. My vision is to better prepare students for not only higher education, but for higher level thinking they can apply to our ever changing world. They will decide what their education looks like in the future because they are the future.
5. What are the best ways to motivate students/employees?
Motivating students is one of the greatest challenges instructors face. However, there are many ways to motivate students (e.g., music, class discussions, quotes of the day, words of the day). I believe that becoming a role model is a big way to spike student interests, by personalizing your material and showing your passion for the content it can spark an interest for the students. It is also imperative to express my confidence in their unique abilities & acknowledge their genius within, providing several opportunities for success, consistently & fairly enforcing classroom rules & procedures, and never wavering in my expectations of their academic performance. In order to KEEP students motivated, it’s necessary that I develop & maintain a relationship with them and their parents wherein they understand that I care about them as individuals and their success / happiness in life. Employees need to feel motivated in order to give this kind of support, this can be done by giving them verbal praise, be friendly, compliment fellow teachers on projects or their student's accomplishments, and let them know once in a while that they are making a difference. Sometimes all it takes is positive reaffirmation!
6. Describe your collaboration style.
Successful collaborative teaching integrates the strengths of multiple viewpoints in a synthetic endeavor that no single member of the project could have completed independently. It also provides an expanded number of teaching styles that may connect with more student learning preferences. In a collaborative setting I do like to help the group stay on task, and get the most out of our collaborative efforts by narrowing down what we need to accomplish while making sure each person and idea is respected.
7. Are mission and values important to an organization? If so, please explain why.
Absolutely! An organization's mission statement is a reflection of its core values. Collectively, these statements serve as the beacon for decision-making as it pertains to all teaching endeavors. The bottom line is that it is all about the children.