Standard 4: Content Knowledge

Artifact: Teacher Interview

 The relationship between the student and instructor completely changes one’s learning experience in the classroom. Its that relationship that encourages students to go to school every, it motivates students to keep going, and it inspires students to pursue any interest in their mind. A positive and engaging classroom environment all the starts with the way a teacher interacts with their students. For this artifiact I interviewed a middle school teacher at the Biddeford Middle School that specializes in life sciences, specifically biology. When she first entered the school she was tasked with creating, with her PLC, a whole new science curriculum for the school. As a new teacher she was thrusted into a great task that she is still very passionate about. Although she can’t focus all her time on teaching science, she tries to make sure that all students are accommodated for and get the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. In the classroom she is able to joke around with her students, she understands the times at which they need breaks, she understands the tools that keep her students engaged, and knows each student individually. It was very clear in the interview that no matter what she does, the minds of the students came first and she builds the lesson based off of the student’s behaviors and needs. She ensures that the classroom is a safe place where students learn together and bond. This interviews connects to Teaching Standard four, Content Knowledge, as it exemplifies the creation of a collaborative classroom that encourages all types of learning and growth. Collaboration between student and teacher allows the teacher to get to know the student on a personal level. It is from here that a student can grow into their own and fell comfortable contributing to the class whether individually or in group settings.

   This interview brought me back to the days I was in middle school , to when I was discovering myself as a student. In middle school I had great teachers that interacted well with my classmates, talking with us as if we were friends or colleagues and not as purely students. The teachers that communicated with us in this ways are the ones I stayed connected with past middle school and empowered me during my academic career. Those that didn’t discouraged me from participating and made it miserable. During the interview, I was truly able to see this relationship between the student and teacher from a different perspective. I was allowed to see the effort that teachers put into really getting to know their students and the effort putting into making their students succeed. Through the interview I also got to see the joy it brought to the teacher; the effort was put in because the teacher truly enjoys seeing each student grow and improve. Seeing the relationship both perspective changes my whole viewpoint on the social-emotional piece of teaching. As I teacher, I need to ensure that I do everything in my power to support the students and create environment that supports all students. I need to make sure all my students feel comfortable, feel empowered, and motivated. This is the true reward of teaching: to see the growth in each student and to see them grow into their own.

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