Psychology Self-Interview Paper by Coco Graham

7/16/03

1. What qualifications do you have that make you feel that you will be successful in your field? Why do you want to be a teacher?

I have experience teaching both children and adults. In looking back at my work experience, my most rewarding jobs were teaching swim lessons and being a computer trainer. I loved working with children and adults who didn’t know how to swim or were afraid of the water. Being able to share my love of swimming with them and helping them overcome their fear and become successful swimmers was very rewarding. Taking adults who were intimidated by computers and helping them to become computer-savvy and see computers as their ally and use it as the great tool it can be was also very rewarding. I also enjoyed the creative process with this job, creating the training manuals and deciding how to train them on PowerPoint and other programs was interesting and fun. I want to be a teacher because I really enjoy helping others improve themselves, or helping them view something in a different light, broadening their horizons. I want to assist children to feel good about themselves and to empower them, giving them the knowledge that it is they who will decide what they want to do with their life. Give them the belief that they can do what they want to if they persevere and work hard.

2. What is your philosophy of teaching?

I believe teaching is really about helping the children explore themselves. It is about modeling a good attitude and behavior, working hard and being dedicated and honest. If the students see this they can work towards doing it themselves. Teaching is also about reflecting on what has happened, realizing what works and what does not and adapting to create the ideal learning environment for the children. I believe a safe, comfortable learning atmosphere helps children open up and feel okay about taking chances. Children need to know that making mistakes is okay, that mistakes are a growth opportunity, not something to be embarrassed about, but something to move forward from. I want to children to strive to be the best that they can be because they want to.

3. Describe what we would see in your classroom during reading, math, etc. if we were to walk in.

You would see children working, raising hands to question and respond to the activity. I would be roving among the children, if it were math. With reading, I may be working with one group in particular while other groups read on their own, or we could be doing a group shared reading session. The children are engaged in the subject, excited about what they are learning, and actively participating.

4. How would you handle an angry parent?

I would show my concern over their anger, and not take it personally. I would ask them what had happened. I would be sure to make eye contact and show them that I was entirely focused on them and interested in helping them to resolve the problem. Once the problem is stated, I would ask the parent for possible solutions and work with them, leading them to what seems to be the appropriate one. Depending upon the situation, I would discuss it with the principal, if necessary. I would work with the parent until the situation was resolved.

5. How would you handle an unruly or disruptive student?

Depending upon what the student is doing, I would do the following: either make eye contact and say the student’s name or walk over to the student, and my proximity may stop his/her behavior. If they continue to disrupt the class, I would have them choose an item out of the ‘penalty jar’ (that the class and I have previously created), and have them perform the penalty. Thus, disruptions have consequences.

6. If I were to walk into your classroom, describe what I may see.

Children actively engaged in the subject we are working on. They may be working in groups or we could be doing an entire class session. There will be a lot of activity on the students’ part. I do not believe in lecturing a lot. I believe children learn more when they are working hands-on with the subject.

7. I see this "D" on your transcript, what can you tell me about it?

I did not have the best strategic plan for taking classes upon entering college. I wanted to get my requirements over with and in doing so took all of my science courses as quickly as I could. I was not very strong in science, though I received an A in biology in high school. For some reason, and I don’t remember why, I was intimidated at the thought of taking high school chemistry. It wasn’t required, so I never took it. The “D” in my science courses is a result of not studying enough with the subjects. I did try hard with physics and biology as I really enjoyed these classes. I remember the very compelling instructors, but I did not test well in either subject.

8. How do you motivate students?

I believe finding out what interests the students is the key to motivating them. There has to be some way to relate their interests into the subjects. Also, showing them how knowledge of a subject will improve their reality can renew their focus.

9. What is the role of the teacher in the classroom?

The teacher should inspire children to want to learn. They should be good role models in attitude and behaviors. They should make the child feel compelled to take chances and learn from any mistakes. They should stress striving for completion, not perfection.

10. What was your favorite course in college? Why?

My favorite course was a communication class called “Images of Work”. It dealt with a range of work-related communities, focusing mainly on the United States, but we also looked at the illegal immigration community. We learned about different labor union movements, studied the coal mines of the east, the slaughterhouses of Chicago, black inner-city life in Chicago, and women “Holding the Line” in the great Arizona mine strike of 1983. This course opened up my eyes to several different work conditions and environments. I learned a lot about the working people of our country, and learned to appreciate others and their life experiences and perspectives that much more.

11. What are your long term career goals?

I would like to teach at the elementary level for a long time. I envision working with various grades. I would like to start teaching at the third grade level and do so for a number of years. Next I would like to teach the second or fourth grade level. And later, I would like to teach at the fifth and the first grade level.

1. What rules have you established for your classroom?

My main rule will be treating themselves and others with respect. I will establish other rules with my students, creating buy-in from the start. I will add any rules I deem appropriate that the students haven’t thought of, but with the student’s agreement. We will then discuss the penalties for breaking the rules, and I will help the students come up with the penalties (cleaning the desks, 30 sit ups, extra homework, loss of time at recess, etc.) When a student breaks a rule, there will be a ‘Penalty Jar’ that they will have to pick a piece of paper out of – the piece of paper will tell them which penalty they have to perform.

2. Of what use are behavioral learning objectives in the teaching/learning process?

Telling students what the expected behavior is, and coming up with the consequences of good and bad behavior with the students empowers them by making them a crucial part of the reward and discipline process. Emphasizing that they have a choice and it is their decision that determines the consequences is important. Thus all their actions have known consequences, either good or bad, dependent upon their choice.

3. What has been your most positive teaching experience? Negative?

I have two favorite teaching experiences. The first was a young boy who was deathly afraid of the water. He had a terrible near-drowning experience. After some private lessons, he was swimming comfortably in the water, enjoying himself immensely. The second was helping a technologically-intimidated women become computer literate and seeing her really appreciate her computer.

4. What would be the ideal philosophy of school for you?

This would be a school that requested input from the teachers, administration, parents and students whenever an important decision that would affect the school was being made. This school would take the input and groups of committees, each committee having representatives from all of the different groups, would discuss and negotiate the decision. A fair and equal compromise would be made based on the input and what the best decision would be for everyone involved. This school would appreciate diversity. The community would support the school and be closely linked to it. Everyone would treat each other with respect and good will and there would be a strong sense of belonging.

5. How would you handle a student who is a consistent behavioral problem in your class?

I would speak individually with the student, finding out what need the student was really trying to meet by acting out. Was it a need for attention, power, revenge or inadequacy? I would tell the child that they have a choice, they can improve their behavior and reap the rewards, or they can continue disrupting the class and incur the consequences. If the behavior continues to be a problem, I would discuss this with the principal and parents to try to come up with a solution.

6. What areas do you feel you need improvement? (Be careful answering this one!)

I need to work on saying no to people who ask for my help. (Not the students, but adults.) I enjoy helping others and at times take on too much. I believe you get more out of things when you put more into them, thus it is better to focus in a few key arenas and not spread oneself too thinly. I need to work on managing my time better.

7. Do you have any theories or teaching methods that have been especially meaningful to you? (hint: don't answer "no")

Maxine Greene’s reflective practitioner thought is one that I agree with. It is crucial to reflect along with the child, and have them reflect on their own, to get them thinking about what they are doing and helping them to become critical thinkers. Reflection allows us to step back and look at what needs the child has and how best to meet them. I really enjoy the “Brain Gym” book and am excited about doing some of the activities with the students. I am looking forward to teaching reading using a variety of methods and am interested in using the “Reading Recovery Program” and the “Four-Block Literacy Program” to create a balanced reading program.

8. What do you want to accomplish as a teacher?

I want to help children continue to learn how to read, becoming confident, independent readers. I want to instill a love of learning in children, reading to learn, excited about math and science and other subjects. I want children to fall in love with the discovery that is life, and become the best person that they can be, always looking to improve and learn more.

9. How do you go about deciding what it is that should be taught in your class?

I believe the basics of math, reading and writing need to be taught. I also believe public speaking is important. Beyond that, I will look to the interests of the children in the class and what I can use to motivate them to want to learn more.

10. In your opinion, what is the most important role of public education in today's society?

The most important role of public education is to give free, equal education to all children regardless of the child’s ability. Understandably, children learn differently and within a grade level are at different learning stages. We as teachers need to understand their weaknesses and strengths and work towards making learning attainable and exciting for all children. The schools should provide children with the base knowledge and skills they need to become productive members of society.

11. What should schools do for students?

Schools should provide a safe, comfortable haven with skilled teachers and adequate and beneficial supplies whereby children can learn and flourish.

12. What personality traits do you see as most valuable as a practicing or aspiring educator?

I am a dedicated, thoughtful person. I enjoy learning and enjoy helping others learn. I thrill to see the “Eureka!” moment when teaching a child something new. I care for children and want to protect and help them. I am a realist in that I know I cannot protect them, but I can help them learn the skills necessary for survival and success in our society. I am a risk-taker, and will encourage children to take chances, using their background of knowledge to draw from and move forward.

13. Define a superior teacher.

A superior teacher is one that can quickly ascertain what a child’s needs are and is able to meet those needs and empower the child to be an active part in their own learning process. A superior teacher knows what is happening in all areas of the classroom and knows exactly how to bring a child back to task and further, motivate and engage them with the subject. A superior teacher cares for the children and reflects on how to enrich the classroom and student’s lives that much more. A superior teacher is continually learning and striving to be a better person.

14. What do you think is the most important contribution you can make to students? To education?

My most important contribution will be creating confident, happy individuals that are sensitive to other’s values and ideas, and respectful of other’s ideas as well as their own. If I can make one student rethink their conditioning if they are from a racist home environment, I will have helped that student become a better person. If in my actions as a teacher, I can inspire a teacher that has lost interest in the teaching profession; I will have contributed to the education of that teacher and their students. Some day, I may write a book about my experiences as a teacher, helping others with their own discovery of the teaching profession.

15. How do you provide for individual differences within your classroom?

All children learn in different ways, have different strengths and weaknesses and ability levels. This is granted. I will work with each child, learning their needs and strengths. I will reflect on this information and adapt my teaching methods to meet those various needs and strengths, focusing on stretching that child’s boundaries and building their confidence in what they can do. I will celebrate diversity and make each child appreciate their uniqueness.

16. What do you think should and can be done to improve communication between teachers and students? Teachers and parents? Teachers and administrators?

These groups need to get together to discuss any issues pertinent to the school and students. Parents should be invited to discuss with the teacher any of their concerns. Administrators need to invite the teachers and parents to discuss issues and they all need to come together to work on a compromise when a debated issue needs to be settled. Perhaps notes from teachers to parents, expressing what improvements their child has made in class would help ‘break the ice’ and begin a relationship between the two groups. Perhaps a ‘family homework assignment’ where a parent is expected to help the child might help pull a disinterested parent into the teaching process. A sense of community needs to be built between the teachers, parents and administrators. Nothing can be solved if these groups are working against one another. In that case, we all fail.

17. How well do you accept criticism? Failure? Defeat? What is your response?

I try not to take any criticism too personally as hopefully it is a criticism of an action of mine and not one disparaging my character. If it is a criticism against my character, first I consider the source of criticism. If it’s a valid criticism from a person I respect, I appreciate the critical analysis and move to work on improving my character flaw. If it is a criticism of an act I made, I work to resolve the problem. I have failed and been defeated many times in my life, and I try to learn from my failures and defeats. I ask myself what I could have done to prepare myself more. I look at these as growth opportunities and try to improve myself, learning from the experience.

18. What, to you, are the great and wonderful rewards of teaching?

There are many great rewards to teaching. One of them is helping a child grow confident, until they are approaching new challenges with vigor. Opening a child’s eyes to a different way of seeing something, stretching their horizons and thoughts on a matter. Witnessing children go from learning to read to reading to learn, and watching them fall in love with reading.

19. Why is teaching important? Here is where you can be, if not grandiose, at least a bit grand.

If there were no teachers, what an empty life this would be. There would be no one pushing you to try harder, showing you new, exciting things, helping you into that state of pleasurable frustration when you’re just on the brink of learning. Teaching is an honorable profession because you are helping others explore themselves and the world around them, expanding their knowledge and giving them tools to succeed. Teachers enrich their world and the reality around them - every profession should be as wonderful.

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