What is the posted daily schedule for different subjects or periods?
- The schedule is on a poster in their classroom. The teacher also writes the daily objective
and work on the whiteboard in front of the class.
Is instruction done in small groups, centers, whole groups, individual?
- There are whole groups as well as small groups.
How would you describe your cooperating teacher’s teaching style?
- He has a very interactive, kinesthetic teaching style. He also does little small motivation
songs. So auditory as well.
Does the teacher incorporate the sensory modalities? If so give examples.
- Sometimes when there were a series of questions to be answered, Mr. Heckler would give
the student answering the question a stuffed toy. Then, when another student is picked to
answer the next question, the stuffed toy would be tossed to them. This had the children
involved and engaged, encouraging them to participate and to want to throw the stuffed
toy.
Do the students seem engaged in the lessons that are being presented?
- Because of the teacher’s teaching style, it seems like the students are very engaged and
excited to learn.
Are there any students isolated from the rest of the class for any reason? Why?
- There were not any students isolated from the rest of the class.
Is instructional time managed efficiently?
- Yes, the teacher was attentive of the time. They even set alarms on their clock for certain
students who had to leave the classroom.
How does the cooperating teacher handle transitions from one subject or period to another?
- The teacher sings a short song to get the student’s attention and he makes sure everything
is cleaned up and put away before starting the next subject.
What were the teacher’s attempts at “attention-getting” commands?
- The teacher did short motivational songs.
What specific behavior issues does the teacher have to deal with? How does the teacher deal with
these behavior issues?
- Sometimes the kids would get a little too excited and hyper, but Mr. Heckler does a really
good job at getting their attention with songs or just asking them to quiet down. For the
most part, the kids were well-behaved.
Are there any policies or procedures in place that help or hinder instructional time?
- There is a set schedule for when the kids have to go to recess, lunch, and specials. Mr.
Heckler has to have time management with the subjects to make sure they can efficiently
get stuff done in a timely manner before having to leave for a set schedule.
Identify the school’s mission statement, motto, and mascot.
- The mission statement was, “Team: Timely, Effort, Attitude, Model.” The motto was,
“Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Kids.” And the school mascot was a bronco.
Does the school use inclusion, or a pull-out program for special education students?
- Certain kids that need extra help get pulled out of class multiple times a day for
resources, they have IEPS.
COOPERATING TEACHER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
What was the primary reason you became a teacher?
- To help around and to make a difference.
What are the main challenges you face as a teacher?
- Having to juggle everything in the classroom and time management.
What is the best part of being a teacher?
- Actually teaching the kids and them learning, and the relationships formed between
students as well as faculty.
How do you determine where students sit in class?
- Students with behavior problems will be separated from each other. Students who speak
Spanish and might be struggling with English will be sat next to a bilingual student.
Basically, there are a lot of different factors.
Beyond standardized testing, what assessments do you use regularly?
- MAPS, which is reading, math, and science. SBAC testing. They also use the website
IReady reading and Aims Web fluency tests.
What requirements are placed on you for reporting progress to parents?
- Progress reports, and report cards. Progress can also be viewed and discussed through
Class Dojo, Parent Portal and through Infinite Campus.
How often do you interact with a student’s parents in person, and what type of discussions do
you typically have?
- As needed, and Class Dojo visits happen 2-3 times a week. Parents can contact me
whenever if needed. There is a parent-teacher conference once a year where we discuss
the student’s behavior and grades and progress.
How much grading do you complete on a daily/weekly basis?
- There is a mandatory 1 grade per week, per subject.
What procedures or strategies do you use to maximize instructional time?
- Timing and schedule are regimented. The objective is always made clear.
How often are you evaluated, and what measurement tools id used by the administration for
determining your teaching performance?
- It’s called NEPF, which instructional standards. There are probationary results if you get
low scores, and you need to be evaluated and observe other teachers to improve. There is
a 1-2-3 score rating system.
What consequences are there if your evaluation is not favorable?
- It depends on the administrator. But they get the help and support if they need it.
What types of support do you receive instructionally, financially, or professionally from the
school, parent organization, or school district to enhance instruction?
- The school does fundraisers. At the beginning of the school year, everyone will get
together and make a list of what they need to school to buy. Parents can donate things as
well. All of the pencil boxes provided this year were supplied by the school!
What surprised you most about teaching as a profession?
- In the beginning, the lesson plans were tricky because you never knew if they will work
or not.
ASSIGNMENT 6 - OBSERVING A STUDENT:
- The student seems unfocused during lessons. The student fidgeted a lot with his stuff and
had trouble focusing on the lesson. He would open his folder and start organizing his
papers instead of doing the reading and writing he was instructed to do. He also had
trouble finding page numbers in their English textbooks, I had to help him find the page.
He also talked to me whenever he got the chance to show me his new shoes or his
necklace or just whatever. The student would also push his desk away from everyone
else, he sat in the back left corner of the last row, near the sink. He also kicked his legs
around a lot. The student seemed better at focusing on the lesson involving the
Chromebook and headphones. Still, after a while, he would start dancing and singing to
himself.
