1. Teacher Interview Project
Syeda H. Qasmi
Ivy Tech Community College

2. INTASC Standard, Description, Rationale
Standard# 3: Learning Environments The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation. Name of Artifact: Teacher Interview Project Date: February, 7, 2014 Course: EDUC 101 Brief Description: I interviewed two practicing K-12 teachers for this assignment. Through this assignment I was able to learn different strategies of teaching, and how and in what means they view teaching. After this session I had a clear idea about making my decision more firm and in choosing teaching as a career. Rationale: To document my understanding of Standard# 3 Learning Environments, in which I have interviewed some teachers to learn their different styles of teaching, their reason for joining field of Education, and their believes about TEACHING.

3. Teachers Interviewed:
Ms. Neelum Safdar
Ms. Heba Elshakmek

4. Introduction/ Background of Ms. Safdar:
Ms. Neelum Safdar currently teaches Chemistry. She has taught for more than ten years. Mrs. Safdar taught from 7th – 11th grade. According to Mrs. Safdar, “I teach because I love teaching, and there is a certain satisfaction in seeing a child’s face light up when they understand something”.

5. Q. What are the traits of an effective teacher?
In the words of Ms. Safdar:
Understanding of the needs of each child
Able to adjust teaching for every grade

6. Q. What is the single most important quality of a good teacher?
Being able to manage the classroom so that teaching can occur.

7. Q. What are the values, beliefs or philosophy about teaching profession, according to Ms. Safdar. Have they changed over the years, how?
According to Ms. Safdar, “Teaching is an honorable and necessary profession, I don’t think society values it much as compared to other professions. Before I was involved I thought the same way, but now I see how it can change the lives of children.

8. Classroom and Teaching Strategies; Ms. Safdar:
Open, I welcome interaction, and questions.
Set rules and follow through
I use the state standards as a guideline. I like to challenge and enrich the lessons with extra information, if the level of class is capable of (varies with each class because each class has a different level of understanding).

9. Q. What are the most exciting aspects of teaching, and work?
In the words of Neelum Safdar, “I like to see children reach for the best they can do”. Ms. Neelum says that she enjoys when different view points are presented by each child.

10. Q. How do you encourage involvement of parents and families in the school and your classroom?
By ing, and arranging parent teacher conferences, and keeping them involved in each activity that is being done by the students.

11. Q. What are most difficult challenges for teachers?
Keeping the children who are not interested in certain subject, make it interesting for them.

12. Q. What is the point of view of Ms
Q. What is the point of view of Ms. Safdar regarding ISTEP, its pros and cons?
The pros are the accountability, but for many children it does test their true capability.

13. Q. How does Ms. Safdar knows that she is successful?
Success for me is measured by helping a struggling child to improve.

14. Advice for future teachers, by Ms. Neelum Safdar:
When ones get into teaching, don’t forget to remain a student of learning, whether it is from professional development, higher education degree, or even your own students.

15. Introduction/ Background of Ms. Heba:
In words of Ms. Heba, “I have been teaching for more than seven years, I teach Math from 6th – 12th grade. I love teaching and helping students to learn. Making math fun and easy for my students is one of my goals”.

16. Traits of an Effective Teacher:
In Ms. Elshakmek’s view:
Classroom management
Motivation
Engaging students in different activities
Positive attitude

17. Single Most Important Quality of a Good Teacher:
In words of Ms. Heba, “I believe trust is the most important factor in teaching. Students need to trust their teachers and believe that he/ she is their to help them. Therefore the most important quality of a good teacher is to build trust amongst it’s students”.

18. Values, Beliefs or Philosophy About the Teaching Profession
Values, Beliefs or Philosophy About the Teaching Profession? Have they changed over the years? How?
According to Ms. Heba, “Teaching is a very noble job, and I still believe it so, because teacher is one who creates a child, and makes him/ her able to stand in the society”.

19. Classroom and Teaching Strategies by Ms. Heba
Arrangement of Classroom
Team work, discussion, reward their achievements
Strategies for Effective Classroom Management
Rules, and reviewing them everyday
Lesson Plans, and State Standards in Curriculum
All lessons plans are according to state standards, I usually highlight every standard in my lesson plan.

20. Support in Learning to be an Effective Teacher
In words of Ms. Heba, “My father, despite the fact he is not a teacher, but he supported me to be at this level of teaching and in every hardship that came in life regarding teaching my father was always there to support me”.

21. Involvement of Parents:
Ms. Heba uses the following strategies to keep parents involved: s
Phone calls
Personal meetings
Engrade Software, to keep them aware of kids’ grades

22. Difficult Challenges for Teachers:
Teaching different levels of kids (mental level) in one class is one of the most difficult challenge.

23. Pros and Cons of ISTEP, Affect of ISTEP on Teaching
According to Ms. Heba, “ISTEP tests the capability of the child”.

24. Self Evaluation:
In words of Ms. Heba, “I compare my performance with my students progress and try to improve my teaching skills accordingly”.

25. Time spent other than work hours for preparation for class:
According to Ms. Heba, “A lot!”

26. Advice for Future Teachers by Ms. Heba Elshakmek:
Teaching is fun! My advice to future teachers is to be a good teacher by listening to your students and know their needs, give them respect and trust so you can get it back!

27. Conclusion:
After interviewing both the teachers, I came to the point that every teacher has a different strategy of teaching. As there is a famous saying, NO TWO FINGERS ARE THE SAME. But that doesn’t at all mean that one method of teaching is accepted while and the other is discarded

28. Continued…
Anything that works for the students is the right method of teaching, provided it is ethically correct. The important point that I understood after this interview is that to get the best outcome of teaching is classroom management, respect students, and last but not the least gain trust of students. After all, the students are the backbone for any society.

29. References
Elshamek H. (2014, February 7). Personal interview. Safdar N. (2014, February 7). Personal interview.