I had the opportunity to have a phone interview with Ms. R, a third grade teacher at Falcon Hill Elementary. I asked her various questions in regards to her teaching theories and about teaching in general. I learned a lot from her responses and I hope that you will too. So, without further ado, I invite you to an interview with Ms. R!

• Answer: Children learn by doing.  I believe that students are global learners as well, and that they need to see the big picture to stay focused.  I also think that students are very active and their physical development is just as important as their cognitive development. Therefore, they learn by relating subjects to physical activities.

• Answer: Well, I do not know if you consider this a style, but students need to be praised.  Now, I believe that you can be firm and praise at the same time.  Sometimes students need tough love.  I also think that I have the collaborative classroom management style.  I am not completely authoritarian and I am not completely laissez-faire.  I let my kids talk to each other because that helps the ESL students develop language sense.  The more they speak, the more practice they receive speaking English, so I enjoy group work.

• Answer: Well, the first thing I want to say is that planning involves organization.  Even though at Falcon Hill we plan our lessons as a third grade team, it is still imperative that each teacher is organized so that the team stays on track.  I plan my lessons weeks in advance because sometimes materials you need our only at your disposable during certain days and times.  So, sometimes you have to plan around when you can get those supplies from the district.  A lot of our science is done using district materials, so we need to work it into our schedule.  Another piece of advice I want to give about planning lessons is that most of the time you plan and plan and plan, but do not be surprised if you have to improvise or switch something around during the day.  Teachers should also get a reward for improv comedy because we have to wing stuff everyday.  This is due to interruptions you will have, and other things like when it rains have lots of hands-on, engaging activities to do.

• Answer: The curriculum is very standards based.  Especially in grades 3, and 5, because the AIMS test is implemented in these grades.  This makes it hard for the teacher because there are not good materials available yet to teach these rigorous standards.  My personal feeling on the matter is, if the district or whoever, wants us to teach to the standards, the least they can do is give us proper materials to work with. Also, it is very frustrating for me, an older teacher now; because I had to change the way I like to teach to fit the standards.  Back when I first got my teaching degree, the teacher had complete control on what I wanted to cover and what I felt was important to teach.  That is definitely not the case anymore.  We have to teach certain material in a certain amount of time, which can be an arduous task.  On the positive end though, in third grade specifically, I do like a lot of the units given.  For instance, the bat unit is a lot of fun for the students as well for me.  I also like the computer, technology unit.

• Answer: Some of my students have preconceived notions on what they are capable of doing.  Two students in particular, have a low self-esteem.  They honestly feel like they cannot learn.  They have a hard time believing in themselves.  I have tried very hard this year to change their way of thinking because both of them are very bright, and so far it has been quite successful.  Slowly but surely they are making that change. Another barrier for both the teacher and the student is the lack of time.  The school days are not long enough and the year is not long enough. There is so much to be covered in such a little amount of time.  The last limitation I can think of deals with parents.  Now, this mostly applies to this school (Falcon Hill).  Parents are too involved.  Their expectations for their students are so high that students feel a lot of pressure to do well in school.  I have parent volunteers come in weekly, but sometimes I wish they would just stay home, because they focus so much on their child that it disrupts learning.  Do not misunderstand me, I think parents should get involved, but if they are overly involved it is not necessarily a positive thing.

• Answer: Well, I feel like I have discouraged you from teaching.  Please do not feel that way.  Teaching is the most worthwhile job.  It takes practice.  Learn as much as you can in college, because you will be better prepared.  However, be careful.  A lot of student teachers and first year teachers believe that they learned everything they will ever need to know about teaching in college.  Heidi, this is not the case.  Trust me, you will see.  Do not be afraid to talk to other teachers and develop a good relationship with the principal at your school.  Team teaching is wonderful because so many different perspectives are given.  Share ideas and you will not be so stressed out.