Major Project #1
Teacher Interview Questions
1. Tell me about yourself as a teacher.
a. Why did you decide to enter teaching?
Butler University offered a scholarship and graduate assistantship for a Master’s in Education
(in Secondary Education) after she moved to Indianapolis.
b. How many years have you been teaching?
This is her 18th year teaching.
c. What grade levels and/or subject areas have you taught?
9-12 English and French
9-12 ESL
2. Tell me about your classroom and teaching strategies.
a. How is your classroom arranged to optimize learning?
One large table in the middle of the room where everyone sits together.
b. What are your strategies for effective classroom management?
-Maintain a positive classroom environment that is supportive, encouraging, and open-minded.
-Deal with discipline and attitude problems individually.
c. What types of lesson plans do you create? How do you incorporate state
standards in the curriculum?
Create lesson plans that cover the standards as well as cater to individual student needs and
learning styles. Also, reading strategies.
3. For you, what are the most exciting aspects of teaching and your work?
Creatively teaching material (using her unique talents to teach new materials to new students).
4. Who has given you the most support in learning to be an effective teacher?
Mentors, older teachers, several administrators, and fellow teachers.
5. How do you encourage involvement of parents and families in the school and your
classroom?
-Make calls home when students are doing well.
-Encourage parents to attend Parents-In-Touch and Open Houses.
-Serving free dinners.
6. How much time do you spend outside of the work day on preparation and grading?
2 – 3 hours/day
7. What do you think are the most difficult challenges for teachers?
Having to do the work of 2-3 teachers (because all of the IPS cuts).
Ivy Tech School of Education
EDUC 101
0612
Major Project #1
8. What do you see as the pros and cons of ISTEP? In what ways, if any, has ISTEP affected
your teaching?
Pros
Provides an equal measure of comparing students’ achievement level.
Cons
Too much emphasis on ISTEP and GQE in the classroom.
9. How have behavioral problems changed over time since you started teaching?
It depends a lot on the school where you teach. Behavioral problems have changed, but not
radically. In this school, students are actually more respectful than they were the first years
when she came.
10. What is the best way to prepare for the beginning of the school year?
-Have all the preliminary paperwork ready for students.
-Be well-rested (physically and mentally).
11. What would you do if you were not teaching?
-Write children books and movie scripts.
-Write travel books while touring the world.
-Take art classes.
12. How do you continue your professional development? What is required to maintain your
teaching license?
-Taking continuing education classes at universities.
-Professional Development classes.
13. How do you know you are successful?
When students return to visit and tell how much her class helped them.
14. What advice would you give to a future teacher?
Make sure you want to be a teacher before you enter the field.
Talk to and observe teachers in all types of schools before you declare your major as an
undergrad.
Join a young teachers/young education graduates association
Ivy Tech School of Education
EDUC 101
0612
Major Project #1
Informed Consent
I, _______________________________________________, agree to have,
(Interviewee - Name of teacher)
_________________________________________________ a student from Ivy Tech
(Interviewer - Name of Ivy Tech student)
Community College – Central Indiana enrolled in the course, EDUC 101: Introduction to Teaching, talk with me
about my experience and motivation as a teacher. I understand the information I provide during the interview will
only be used for a reflective/summary paper written by the student and for no other purpose. A copy of the
interview questions are attached to this form for your review. If you have questions or concerns, please contact
the professor, Dr. Arlene Coleman at 921-4630, acoleman76@ivytech.edu
_________________________
Signature of Teacher
______________________________
Date
_________________________
Grade level taught
______________________________
Name of School
_________________________
Date of Interview
______________________________
Time of interview
For student:
I, _____________________________, interviewed the above named teacher at the date
(Name of Ivy Tech Student)
and time indicated above.
______________________________
Signature of Student
Ivy Tech School of Education
______________________
Date
EDUC 101
0612
Major Project #1
Teacher Interview Project
Score Rubric
Submit this score rubric with your Teacher Interview Project.
Points are awarded based on thoroughness and attention to detail
Cover/Title Page
Possible
Points
3
INTASC Standard, Description and Rationale
3
Reflection/Summary Paper Content
Demonstrates critical expressions in each section as the questions are
addressed using all available resources - teacher responses, class
notes/discussions, textbook, and personal reflections.
Paper Outline
a. Introduction/Background Information (3)
b. Effective Teacher Traits (3)
c. Attributes I Can Identify With (3)
d. Differences in the Teacher and Me (3)
e. Teacher’s Philosophy and or Values (3)
f. New Information (3)
g. Deep Thoughts About Profession (3)
h. Summary/Conclusion (3)
24
Reference Page with a minimum of two citations from the textbook. The
citations can be a direct quote or a paraphrase of the textbook content.
3
Teacher Identification & Consent Form
2
12 Teacher Interview Questions with responses
4
Score Rubric Sheet
1
Total Points
40
Earned
Points
Comments:
Name_____________________________________________________
Ivy Tech School of Education
EDUC 101
____/40 points
0612
Major Project #1
Teacher Interview Paper
Content Outline
a. Introduction/Background Information
b. Effective Teacher Traits (What traits of an effective teacher do you think this teacher
possesses?)
c.
Attributes I Can Identify With (What, if any, attributes did this teacher have that you could
identify with?)
d. Differences in the Teacher and Me (In what way(s) was the teacher different from you?)
e. Teacher’s Philosophy and/or Values (What philosophy and/or values did this teacher have that
you would like to emulate? Why?)
f.
New Information (What, did you learn about teaching that was new to you or that reinforced
your beliefs about teaching as a profession?)
g. Deep Thoughts about the Profession (What made you think more deeply about teaching as a
profession?)
h. Summary/Conclusion
Ivy Tech School of Education
EDUC 101
0612
Major Project #1
Teacher Interview Paper Worksheet
b.
a. Introduction/B
ackground
Information
c.
Effective Teacher
Traits (What traits
(What, if any,
attributes did this
teacher have that
you could identify
with?)
of an effective
teacher do you
think this teacher
possesses?)
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
d. Differences in
Attributes I Can
Identify With
the Teacher and
Me (In what
way(s) was the
teacher different
from you?)
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
e. Teacher’s
Philosophy
and/or Values
f.
g. Deep Thoughts
New Information
(What, did you
learn about
teaching that was
new to you or that
reinforced your
beliefs about
teaching as a
profession?)
(What
philosophy
and/or values
did this teacher
have that you
would like to
emulate? Why?)
h. Summary
/Conclusion
about the
Profession (What
made you think
more deeply about
teaching as a
profession?)
1.
1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
3.
Ivy Tech School of Education
EDUC 101
0612
Major Project #1
Teacher Interview Project
Teacher Identification
Teacher’s Name ________________________________________________________________
School Name___________________________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________
City_____________________________________State______________Zip________________
Email_________________________________________________________________________
Grade/Subject__________________________________________________________________
Date Contact Made______________________________________________________________
Your Name____________________________________________________________________
Ivy Tech School of Education
EDUC 101
0612