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Kelly Paul

Michelle Reiff

EDUC&202

11 – 17 – 2022

Teachers Observation and Interview

Milton Stateline Adventist School – Mrs. Honner, Grade 1-2

Walking into Milton Stateline school for my teachers interview and observation is an

immediate positive experience. The receptionist greets me warmly, checks me in and guides me

to Mrs. Honner’s class which I am to observe. The class is set up in such a way that there is a

reading corner and multiple group tables for small group activities, besides the regular individual

desks facing towards the teacher’s desk. The classroom is decorated in an “under the sea” theme,

and bright-colored sea creatures hang on the walls. Because of my creative side, I’m always

attracted to the décor. An inspirational mirror with encouraging words and phrases such as “I am

strong” hung to the side of the classroom. This mirror impresses me because I can see that the

classroom is built around a good culture, strong values, and instilled positive self-esteem.

Inside the first and second-grade combined class, students are well-mannered and eager to learn,

this reflects the intentional effort put in by an effective teacher. Although there are occasional

disruptions the teacher addresses the question or disruption and then guides the children’s

attention back to the lesson.

During the specific time slot that I am observed, the class is busy doing a reading

comprehension (Reading room) activity on their tablet devices. The students are clearly excited

about using the devices and headphones, this lesson period is eye-opening for me because I

personally have not seen tablet devices incorporated in lessons before.

The online reading program is set up so the teacher can keep track of each student and how they

were doing in their reading and comprehension. This Reading Room activity separates students

by capabilities, the program allows students to complete a reading section and answer questions.

If they completed it correctly, they are able to move on to the next level, if not, they choose

from many different short stories on the same level. One aspect of this differentiated instruction

that I love is that students have the option to record themselves reading out loud, this recording is

saved so that the teacher could also access it and determine their reading ability and progress.

Mrs. Honner makes sure to explain the activity clearly and shows an example to the whole class,

after doing this Mrs. Honner goes around to each student and makes sure that they understand

how to complete the assignment and what is expected of them. The teacher and student

interactions I observe or genuine, I see the interest and empathy Mrs. Honner has for each of her

students, I see that Mrs. Honner makes effort to be invested and engaged with her students.

After the first lesson, the second-grade class does presentation about Bats for the

kindergarten class down the hall. I observe how the children though rambunctious and excited,

walk together in an organized line to the kindergarten class, following Mrs. Honner carefully.

The students do a wonderful job presenting with the aid of a slideshow that Mrs. Honner has

carefully prepared. This presentation is clearly practiced and although the students are reading

the information off of a script, the presentation is fun, engaging, and age appropriate.

A few important aspects that I have learned from observing this class are to be flexible and

genuine, this I believe are vital for the success of the classroom. Mrs. Honner is careful to

balances being professional and relatable as a teacher to the students’, I observe how well the

students responds to the firm, but gentle way Mrs. Honner interacts with them, and how the

culture of acceptance and inclusivity is noticeably present.

Teachers Interview

After the class period, I had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Honner in the library. This time

spent with Mrs. Honner has been extremely helpful and insightful to me, as I was able to ask

relevant questions and get an idea of what the day-to-day life of a teacher is like. The following

questions are some of the many questions she answered for me.

1. What is your philosophy of education?

My philosophy of education is that every child has unique gifts, and talents, and it is my job as a

teacher to find out those qualities. Also, I want to make children feel good about what they are

accomplishing and to feel accepted and loved. As a teacher I what to reach the whole child,

mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual, I try to create a classroom that can foster each

of these, and touch on them at least sometime during each day.

2. What do you think is the most effective method of teaching?

Hands-on / Cooperative learning allows children to be more engaged while using multiple

senses.

3. What values do you try and foster in your classroom/students? How do you do this?

Some of the many values that I try and instill in my students are, integrity, gratitude, respect,

hard work, and doing your best! One way that I foster these values is through a curriculum

entitled “The encouraging classroom” it uses trade books, videos, class discussions, anchor

charts, activities, and a home connection. The home connection asks parents to reinforce what

we have talked about in class and includes an activity that the parent and child can do together.

These values take a LOT of practice and must be repeated and cultivated over and over again.

Some values are easier to grasp for some students than others. I like to keep open communication
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with every child as they each have their own unique/specific struggles. If a child doesn’t do so

well today, I’m encouraged that tomorrow is a brand-new day to try again.

4. What are ways you differentiate instruction?

One way I differentiate instruction is by doing whole group, small group, and individual

teaching.

5. What about your philosophy would you like to pass on to a new teacher?

For a new teacher – do not be too hard on yourself. Try your best, be prepared, be

enthusiastic, smile and be flexible! There may be times when you may think you have a

wonderful lesson planned and that your students will love it, and then they end up not, don’t be

discouraged, be adaptable! Admit when you have made a mistake, sometimes students put

teachers on pedestals implying that they are perfect, but we are not.  Avoid getting into a rut,

doing the same thing day after day, and try and keep things fresh, new, and exciting. Apologize

if/when you accuse a student of doing something they didn’t, remember, you are human, and we

do make mistakes It’s ok to cry in front of your class! You have feelings too! They need to see

them when you have been hurt or you are sad. Life happens to us teachers also. Remember, at

the end of a bad day- put it aside- and begin again tomorrow with a fresh start.

6. What do you like most about teaching?

The joy of seeing a child understand and learn a topic or concept, and that each day is a new

opportunity to make a difference in my students’ lives.

7. How do you motivate your students to become active listeners/learners in your

classroom?

To encourage active listening, I make eye contact with my students, move my body, and change

my voice inflection. Sometimes I use a clapping game to get my student’s attention. As a

classroom, we have different rules that I try and encourage such as inside and outside voices, not

talking when someone else is talking, and raising hands to ask questions. The classroom also has

a good behavior chart where the students could earn points for doing a fun class activity.

In conclusion, observing this classroom has helped me get a glimpse of how a classroom

setting should be managed, and how effective teachers interact with their students. This

experience has revealed to me the ups and downs that teachers and students face. Observing and

interviewing Mrs. Honner and the 1st and 2nd-grade class has made me all the more enthusiastic

and excited about pursuing an education degree.