Teacher Interview Project

Steven Clark
Ivy Tech EDUC 101

INTASC Standard #4
Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central, concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the
discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these
aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the
content.

Description
For this assignment I interviewed two teachers Adam Harpring and Kristy Richards. To
get their responses to what makes a successful long lasting teacher.

Rationale
To identify the similarities and differences of the two teachers, and what makes a long
term successful teacher.

Introduction/ Background
Teaching History

Adam:

Kristy:

Has taught for six years

Second year as a fifth grade
teacher
Lead fifth grade teacher
Taught sixth grade for one year
Focus on math and science in
college

Has taught for eighteen years

Fourth year as third grade
teacher
Lead third grade teacher
Has taught all grades except
second and kindergarten,
including art, music and Phys.
Ed.

Background
Why Teaching as a Career

Adam:

Kristy:

Inspired by his third grade

teacher
First male teacher (third grade)
really impacted his learning
Has always liked school

Wanted to be a nurse until first

semester of college
Began teaching after
encouragement of her mother
(also a teacher)
Has always loved children

Traits of an Effective Teacher

Most Effective Traits

Adam:

Kristy:

Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility

Has to be a good planner
Has to be a genuine person
Must have empathy
Must be prepared always

Dedication
Hard working
Caring (putting the kids first)
Heart has to be in it always
Cannot expect a lot of money

Traits of an Effective Teacher

Single Most Effective Trait

Adam:

Kristy:

Must be prepared always

Caring (putting the kids first)

Philosophies, Values and Beliefs of

These Teachers
Adam:

Personal Philosophy

Reach every kid at every level

(give the appropriate level of
teaching for each child)
Never give up on any child

Kristy:
You have to let every child know
that you care for them

Philosophies, Values and Beliefs of

These Teachers
How Philosophies Have Changed

Adam:

Kristy:

Philosophies have not changed

much (still has the fire to teach)
Some days the fire is a little
dimmer
Cannot be as creative

Things have gotten more rigid

over the years
Creativity has been taken away

The Most Important Quality of a Good

Teacher
Single Most Effective Quality

Adam:

Kristy:

Having an understanding of each

of your students

The kids knowing that you care

for them

What are the Most Difficult Challenges for

Teachers
Biggest Challenge

Adam:

Kristy:

Reaching every child at every

level

The lack of being able to be as

creative with lesson plans as in
past years

Who Has Given You The Most Support

Biggest Source of Support

Adam:

Kristy:

Student teaching Supervisor

from college (still communicates
through email)

Fellow teacher at same grade

level (talk daily about
everything)

Final Remarks
After interviewing these teachers I have the opinion that both are remarkable educators. They carry
passion each and every day in the best interest for each individual child. Letting every child know
that they are cared for is at the forefront of both teachers philosophy every day. The prevailing
thought during these interviews is that they are now teaching to the standardized tests and that
their creativity has been hindered because of this. Each teacher would like to see a little less state
testing in the future and be able to teach a more creative lesson plan than what is currently in place.
Adam and Kristy both have an extraordinary ability to let all of the children in their classes know that
they are cared for and that they want them to succeed. This has been evident by the way the
children act and react to both teachers throughout the day.
I consider it an honor to be able to have observed these two teachers. Both have encouraged me to
stay in contact and use them for any future support that may be needed. This will be invaluable to
not only myself but the children that I will teach in the future. It is teachers like Adam and Kristy
that inspire children to continue in this profession to ensure that future generations get the same
quality education that we have been given.

References
Harpring, Adam (2014)
Richards, Kristy (2014)