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Running head: Activity 3.2 – Teacher Interview

Activity 3.2 – Teacher Interview

Tatianna Ortega

Instructor Carlberg
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Activity 3.2 – Teacher Interview

Teacher Interview

School ________Everest Academy________________________________

Teacher’s Name ____Denise Sewell__________________ Date 04/18/17

[ ] General Education [X] Special Education Designation / Grade Level(s) _6th & 7th_

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs indicates that we all have 5 levels of need that must be
met: Physiological, Safety, Love / Belonging, Esteem and Self-Actualization. In your
professional opinion:

1. How important it is for students to have their basic needs met in order to be successful in
School? Why do you think so?

I believe it is extremely important for students to have their basic needs met. They need sleep
and breakfast before they arrive, but those things are out of my control. If they come to school
hungry or tired I can’t help them learn. I can give them a snack and let the rest, but these needs
being met at home are out of my control. We are limited as teachers as what we can do, but
there is so much we don’t parents accountable to.

2. Which needs are most important to have satisfied so students can thrive in school? Why?

Students need to feel safe. They need to feel like they can come to school and not feel ridiculed
when asking questions. They need to feel comfortable and be able to feel like they can ask for
help. That no matter how long it takes for a student to learn a topic that the teacher is willing to
help until they master it. Students can’t learn if they don’t feel safe.

3. Who is responsible for ensuring that students have their needs met? Why do you think so?

Having student’s needs met should rely on the parents before and after school, and once here
that should be met by the teacher(s). More and more though it is falling on the teachers to meet
the needs of their students because parents are busy and don’t have the time.

4. What is one thing a teacher might do for a student who has physiological or safety
needs? Why would this be useful?

Once you have figured out who needs what, you learn what to do to help them. It is asking how
there day was, or how they are doing. You must show a genuine interest in the, they will know if
you are fake in any way. A teacher must have empathy for them and others and be able to to
have discernment.
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Activity 3.2 – Teacher Interview

Briefly prepare a paragraph which summarizes the answers that were provided by the teacher
and submit with your reflection.

Reflect on the teacher’s responses. What do you think of what the teacher had to say? As a
future teacher, what things will you do – or – not do, as a result of this information? Why? (No
more than 400 words)

I observed Mrs. Sewell and how she taught her class before we talked. When we

discussed the questions it became very clear that she wants all her students to feel one

hundred percent safe at school, whether it being in class, walking outside, or from peers. We

also talked about how more and more the basic needs of students are falling on the teachers

and less on the parent(s). I can honestly say that what she believes each child’s basic need is,

is reflected in her teaching style, with her interactions with the class as a whole and with each

individual student. She is absolutely real and honest with her students and yet has a firm

mothering side for each one of them.

I believe that what Mrs. Sewell thinks about basic needs and safety, are correct in the

school system today. Parents are becoming busier with their jobs, personal lives, and

everything else going on around them. We are seeing less parents volunteering at schools, and

even dropping off or picking their child up is decreasing. The one point that Mrs. Sewell touched

upon was the lack of breakfast some students receive at home. She mentioned that a student

won’t learn when they are hungry. I absolutely agree with that. As a teacher I always have

snacks in my class. If a student missed breakfast, came to school hungry or even is hungry later

on in the day, I will always have something to help their tummies and brains out. If a child is

constantly paying attention to their empty stomach, they are not going to be able to learn or

even want to. A little snack can go a long way during instructional time and also to their

emotional well-being. I will also make a point to talk to each one of my students at some point in
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Activity 3.2 – Teacher Interview

the morning individually, so that they know I genuinely care and am interested in them and their

life. I will remember my talk with Mrs. Sewell as I finish out this last month as a first year teacher

and hope that I can help to meet most if not all of my student’s basic needs.