Sorry for the delay in my reply, it was truly not intentional. I have been out and about
1. What grade do you teach?
For the past 4 years, I have taught 9th and 11th grade English literature and composition.
2. Why did you decide to teach?
I have wanted to teach since I was in elementary school. Back then I wanted to teach spelling and language. I wanted to teach because it was the only profession I saw EVERYDAY in myriad forms, good and bad. This is the one profession that impacts us, be it good or bad, as a society. I teach because I value education, learning, and children.
3. When did you start teaching?
Professionally, September 1998. Personally, I taught my brother 2+2 when I was 6 and he was 2.
4. Where do you currently teach?
I am preparing to start teaching in Charlotte, NC. Kay if you want to know the exact school hit me up via PM.
5. What is your educational background?
I graduated with a BA in Psychology and English with a minor in Education and Women's Studies from Wittenberg University and have taken graduate coursework from
THE
Ohio State University.
6. What is your philosophy of Education?
I believe that EDUCATION is the most valuable commodity in our world. However, not everyone takes full advantage of the opportunities that learning offers. Education happens not just in the classroom.
7. What was the most rewarding experience for you?
Wow, there have been so many but a recent one was a student of mine who is not into reading AT ALL. Well one day another student of mine returned to me my copy of THE COLDEST WINTER EVER and Stacey remarked that is a thick book. So I told her yeah you know 406 pages but it is a good book. She was not feeling me. She told me she has never read a book. So knowing what I knew about her I told her this book was so much like her, not really but I knew that it would peak her interest thoroughly. I challenged her to read the first 2 chapters that night and if she did not like it she could skip homework for 2 nights. Well the next day I saw her walking down the hall READING that book you hear me? She was on page 70 something. Well she read itevery chance she got, including while she was in my class supposed to be taking notes. LOL, so instead of confiscating food, I was confiscating the word. She finished it and then her mom read it, they had a discussion about it. After Stacey read it, 6 other students borrowed it including one of my young men sudents who also read it with his mom. Needless to say my book is not in perfect condition anymore. It is now filled with kool aid stains, grease stains, and the back cover is gone bye bye. But that book touched some lives and started 12 of my students on the road to reading Black authors. So much that i had to publish a list of Ms. CT4 recommends.
I am going to miss those kids.
8. What was the least rewarding experience?
When this boy vandalized my bag.
9. What is your "teaching style"?
LOL, jokes, stories, movies, discussion, group work. . .reading books. I talk to my kids. I am dramatic and will act something out in a minute. I use personal examples. I really try to make a connection with them on some level.
10. Have you ever experienced teacher burnout?
YES and when I get to the point where I feel myself wearing thin, I take a mental health day.
11. What is your opinion on mainstreaming and special education in general?
It is a tough call. Some kids benefit from being mainstreamed and other kids work best with a one on one special ed aide or instructor.
12. How do you feel about teacher pay?
It needs to be HIGHER by at least $15,000. Yes we get 10 weeks off but think about it. Lesson planning, curriculum meetings, parent conferences, courses to keep us in sync with current teaching methods, paper grading, etc. etc. etc. Also ALL student loans should be paid, wiped out, etc.
13. Opinion on year round schools?
I am all for it. There are certain schools in Columbus that moved to that to improve test performance.
14. Opinion on Alternative Schools?
Since not everyone learns the same way, we do need alternatives for those students.
15. What are your styles of classroom management?
-- Truthfully, I handle it as much as possible in my classroom. My students know from jump how I am and they know when they have pushed me too far. I try to be as fair as possible. I call home and talk with other teachers who have my problem child.
16. Any feelings on corporal punishment?
Can we bring it back? For real, I am not joking. Some kids need a good azz whipping.
17. Opinions on health screening done in schools?
Not sure I understand this question but yes you can screen them.
18. Have you had any HIV/AIDS, abused, neglected, homeless students- how did you handle the subject/issue?
In terms of AIDS and homeless not that I know of. However I have had gay students. Well just one for sure but he had so many other issues, like being a major liar that I never took him too seriously. He was an attention seeker basically.
19. Any advice for a beginning teacher?
MAke mistakes but learn from them.
Get a mentor teacher.
Keep in touch with parents.
Utilize all resources.
Be human.
Don't forget who you are there for.
20. What type of questions did the interviewer ask during the interview process for your teaching job?
*Lessons that I have done in the past that were successful/unsuccessful
*Classroom management style
*Favorite teaching moment
*How would you ________?
21. Did they ask for examples of lesson plans, portfolio, or reference letters?
No to portfolio although I had it but yes to lesson plans and references. The more references the better.
Interview Questions for Teachers
My answers... *smile*
Trying to tell me how to run my classroom. 
. After she handled it, she then would dare me to cry. I guarantee you this, she never had that problem out of me again -I got dealt with EXPEDITIOUSLY!!!
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