ASSIGNMENT 5 (Cooperating Teacher Interview): Complete the questions below by interviewing your

cooperating teacher during a convenient time. Include any school documents that your cooperating
teacher will allow you to photocopy for your packet.

Interview Question 1: What was the primary reason you became a teacher? >>>

The primary reason I became a teacher was to help students succeed academically. I remember my
teachers from elementary school and I admired the way that they helped me and others learn. I enjoy
teaching and helping others. It is so rewarding when children are making progress in their academic
learning.

Interview Question 2: What are the main challenges you face as a teacher? >>>

The main challenges that I face as a teacher are having enough time for planning, covering all the
curriculum in a timely manner, and managing my time with mastery of standards.

Interview Question 3: What is the best part of being a teacher? >>>

The best part of being a teacher is seeing students learn and be excited about what they are learning
about. I love the enthusiasm of teaching and the joy that it brings to so many lives.

Interview Question 4: How do you determine where students sit in class? >>>

I use the Kagan structure. This structure leads to active discourse and engagement in a small group
seating environment. All students are actively learning and accountable. I analyze data to strategically
place students in heterogeneous seating arrangements.

Interview Question 5: How do you determine the members of any flexible groups? >>>

After Tier 1 instruction, I determine which students need additional support with the current materials
being learned. I monitor students throughout the lesson to determine who will need this additional
support. This could be partners working together or small group work with the teacher.

Interview Question 6: Beyond standardized testing, what assessments do you use regularly? >>>

Assessments that are used regularly are: formative and summative assessments in all content areas,
aimswebPlus progress monitoring, CORE phonics survey,and the PASS phonological screener.

Interview Question 7: What requirements are placed on you for reporting progress to parents? >>>

Progress reports go home about every 6 weeks. The report identifies any areas that the students are
struggling with. If parents want to discuss their child's academic areas, I schedule a time to meet either
 via phone or in person.

Interview Question 8: How often do you interact with a student’s parents in person, and what type of
discussions do you typically have? >>>

We have parent/teacher/student conferences in October and we review all data of the student and
discuss their progress. But on a daily basis, I interact with parents at dismissal and on Class DoJo.
The discussions I have pertain to academic progress (well below to above average), behaviors, and
classroom activities.

Interview Question 9: How much grading do you complete on a daily/weekly basis? >>>

I spend about 5 hours a week grading. As a grade level, we determine what will be essential for our
grade books each week.

Interview Question 10: How long does it take to prepare lessons for the day/week? >>>

It takes me about 10-15 hours a week to prepare lessons. It all depends on if it is new content or if I
have already taught the lessons from prior years.

Interview Question 11: What procedures or strategies do you use to maximize instructional time? >>>

I set purposeful and consistent routines, being prepared with all materials (digital and paper), engaging
tasks that are meaningful and relevant to the lesson.

Interview Question 12: What positive reinforcement programs have you had success with, and what
behavioral consequences seem most effective with this age group? >>>

The positive reinforcement program I use is CHAMPS. I like to use positive incentives to keep
behavioral consequences to a minimum. But sometimes with repeat behaviors, I seek assistance from
my administrators or counselor, as needed.

Interview Question 13: How are specialist teachers involved in the instructional planning process? >>>

Our learning strategists are supportive with instructional planning and ongoing assessments to guide
my instruction.

Interview Question 14: How often are you evaluated, and what measurement tool is used by the
administration for determining your teaching performance? >>>

I am evaluated once a year. The measurement tools are SLG, self assessment tool, pre/post
observation conference, and the NEPF professional and instructional standards and indicators.

Interview Question 15: What consequences are there if your evaluation is not favorable? >>>
 Additional support from administration and learning strategist would assist with instructional and/or
professional standards to become proficient.

Interview Question 16: What types of support do you receive instructionally, financially, or professionally
from the school, parent organization or school district to enhance instruction? >>>

I attend professional development days throughout the school year on instruction and planning. I
attend continued education PD courses that can help me further my knowledge of increasing student
growth. Financially, my school helps as much as they can to provide instructional materials for
classroom use.

Interview Question 17: What surprised you most about teaching as a profession? >>

I guess what surprises me is all the extra hours outside of contract time that I spend planning and
thinking about upcoming lessons and events. I love what I do and the time that I spend outside my
work day is valuable to my profession and my students.

Interview Question 18: What collaboration and planning do you do with your grade-level team or
subject-department? >>>

We have one scheduled PLC (50 minutes) weekly for planning. But, we are always discussing
planning throughout the week (before and after school).