Chapter+12+Activity


 * Review the questions presented in the following activity. Prepare and post your answers within this Wiki page. To receive credit, type your name at the beginning of your post. **

You have been preparing for teaching interviews. That call came from one of your desired districts so you want to be well-prepared for this meeting. You have a friend who works within this and has served on several interview committees. She advised you to prepare the answers to the following standard questions and to create a list of at least 5 well-written questions to ask the interview team.


 * 1) How do you describe **the profession** of teaching? (Be specific)
 * 2) How have you **adequately prepared** for this profession and what evidence of this preparation can you show our interview team?
 * 3) What **materials** have you prepared to share with our team that gives us an idea of you and as a teacher?
 * 4) Tell us how teachers demonstrate more **accountability** for students, parents and the school from past years in history.
 * 5) As a new 6th grade teacher you feel overwhelmed by the mass of paperwork, technology requirements, handling student, parent, peer and office communication and the reality that 6 of your 28 students are two or more years behind grade level in reading and math. **Who can you ask for help** (without looking incompetent) about each of these issues and what type of help do you ask for from these colleagues?

-Mallory Branch 1. The profession of teaching involves specializing in a body of knowledge, passing many tests to acquire licensing to teach, as well as maintaining their knowledge base by attending training throughout their career. The teacher as a profession is characterized by teaching students to read, write, do math, and various other things, as well as communicating with parents about how their child is doing in the classroom. 2.I would bring my official transcript, highlighting classes I have taken and the grades made in them which are relevant to my profession. I would also bring my test scores and my license to teach as well. 3. I would bring my portfolio outlining past experience, relative activities that I have been a part of, as well as assignments that I have completed throughout my educational career that are relevant to the position. 4. I think that teachers are required to communicate more openly with parents, and many schools have a website that they can post grades on, that way the parent can keep track of their child's grades as well. 5. I would ask for advice from a fellow teacher I trusted, who would know pratical ways to help me. I would also go to the principal and tell them the situation, outline a couple of plans I have to help the situation and ask them if they had any other recommendations for me. Mallory Branch -Rachel Chambers 1. The profession of teaching is a profession for those who have a specialized body of knowledge, a rigorous and extended course of study that leads to licensure, training that allows individuals to make complex decisions often without the consultation of others, and a set of ethical standards of conduct. 2. I would have prepared sufficiently by taking a rigorous course study and taking all the required courses to get a degree in teaching, and I would have test scores and a licensure to prove it. 3. Provide a portfolio of where and what I've done as a career and any other actions that give examples of personal ideals and morals, such as volunteer hours or activities done for the community or church, etc. Show some simple lesson plans, and activities to go along with the lesson plans to keep students interested and involved. 4. Accountability in previous years meant accountability in life in general. How the teachers dressed, how they acted in and out of the classroom, and their effectiveness. Now the accountability lies within the classroom as it should be. Teachers are, and always have been, accountable to the students, their communities, parents, and schools. 5. Anyone. The proof of a good school system is the staff; teachers, counselors, administrators, and nurses working as a team. If ever overwhelmed or not sure how to handle a situation, i would feel confident in going to other teachers or staff members to ask for help or advice, especially as a new teacher. -Rachel Chambers

-Kristin Mapel 1.The profession of teaching is only for those individuals who are willing to put forth the extra work and time it takes to gain a specialized body of knowledge, have had a rigorous and extended course of study to lead to licensure. Hold a strong set of ethical standards of conduct and have the ability to make complex decisions often without the consultation of others. Being a teacher means doing the work it takes to reach enough certification to actually teach, but then setting your standards and meeting them every single year with every single student, no matter the situation, cost or extra time it will take. You must be dedicated 110% to your profession. 2.I feel that I am adequately prepared for a teaching career because I have successfully completed the teacher education program at Oklahoma State University. Through this program I have gained enough knowledge, hands on experience and materials to create my professional portfolio. In this portfolio I have attained lesson plans, test scores after tutoring, examples of students work, pictures of my classroom organization/set up skills, my different involvement with different teachers and students as well as what my time there has meant to them letters. I believe that through my last five years of schooling, all of the organization and hard work I have put into my portfolio, and my many hours of preparation and studying I have done to obtain my certificate I have also prepared myself for a teaching degree as well as prepared myself for a teaching position. 3.I've prepared a portfolio that contains the following: A record of field placements and observation experiences, philosophy of education, professional goals and reflections, credentials and test scores, lesson plans that include lots of hands on activities group and individual that I believe are very out of the box and a new style for kids to learn from, letters of recommendation from the teacher and principals I have worked with in the past as well as mothers and fathers of some of my students. I also have power points of all of these things so they are in electronic version, a little easier to view and to review. 4.First teachers are accountable and always have been. As professionals we are accountable to members of the community we serve, our school districts, our educational administrators, our colleagues in our schools and most importantly we are accountable to out students. It’s been argue that teachers aren’t accountable for their students fully; critics argue that when students test grades are down nothing is done in regards to the teacher. It has always been this way; during early history it was even worse though. Teachers weren’t only responsible for the children to learn to read, write and do math but they were supposed to single handedly teach children age 5 through 18 to be well behaved and disciplined all at once. Sure the workload might not be as much for teachers today when you consider we never have that big of an age group of children but we still have all of the same responsibilities for the students we do have. 5.If I were put into that situation my first move would be to my school staff for help. There are all sorts of support staff such as counselors, secretaries, fellow teachers, administrators, school nurse and the list just keeps going. These people are right there with me they know first hand what it is like and will be my number one choice. But I also have a good support system at home from my family and loved ones. I know they will always be there for me when times get tough. Kristin Mapel

-Jessica Slanker 1.) The profession of teaching involves many different qualifications and responsibilities. A teacher is responsible for fostering learning and development (socially, physically, and intellectually) in upcoming generations. It’s a time consuming profession and involves a lot of preparation and work after the matter (grading, providing students with feedback, parent-teacher interaction, teacher-teacher collaboration). It is also a constantly changing profession (from the individuals in your classroom to those policies given to you from district to state level). As a teacher, you work with children, parents, and colleagues from all different backgrounds and therefore you must possess the patience, courtesy, and understanding to do so.

2.) I have prepared for this profession through learning my subject area (through my completion of my B.A. in English) and through educational training and professional development courses during my time spent studying for my Masters in Secondary Education. I have spent time tutoring high school and college students as well as spent time as a classroom volunteer with pre-schoolers with special needs, where I carried out lesson plans with each individual student.

3.) I have prepared sample lesson plans and assignments . I have also brought letters of recommendation from teachers I have worked with highlighting my strengths in teaching.

4.) Teachers can show more accountability through communication with parents as well as communication with students through student-teacher or parent-teacher conferences. For school accountability, regular communication with staff and colleagues in and out of your department can show accountability.

5.) As a new teacher, I would establish relationships early on with other teachers, specifically ones in my department as well as the special needs teacher, specifically teachers with a lot of experience and teachers who have worked with my students. I would ask them for advice on how they have handled similar situations.

-Jessica Slanker

-Sarah Bond

1. I would describe the profession of teaching as a crucial profession because if there were not teachers, then there would not be anyone to train and teach the upcoming generation of children. The profession itself is time consuming and can be hard, therefore it is important that a person who desires to teach must love people, be patient, and be able to communicate clearly and in a fun way.

2. I have shadowed many teachers, so I have several ideas for lessons and hands-on learning activities. I can show you a layout of my teaching style with some ideas of how to incorporate fun, along with active learning.

3. I have prepared a PowerPoint to show you all of the different places I have shadowed and helped teach. The PowerPoint gives great insight on my teaching ability and love for children. I have also brought a couple of games that I invented so that students can play games, but learn at the same time.

4. Teachers have been able to show accountability by having more parent-teacher conferences so that the student can be discussed more in depth. Also, student-teacher conferences are a great way for the student to feel comfortable around their teacher and express any concerns he or she may have about the class. This also allows the teacher to get a better understanding of the student's personality so that learning styles can be incorporated to match the child.

5. If I were to enter a school setting and felt overwhelmed in many aspects of the job, I would find one or two other teachers that I can become close to, and ask them for advice on the problems I am having. It would also be good to find a teacher who has worked at the school for many years because that person has a lot of experience on how to handle all different types of situations. I would also talk to the school counselor to see what kind of advice he or she might have. Many times counselors can think of helpful and easy solutions that you might have not been able to think of on your own.

-Sarah Bond

- Kristin Stanberry


 * 1) The occupation of teaching is certainly a professional occupation. Teachers are primarily responsible for effectively and skillfully passing on crucial information to the upcoming generation to enable them to function in their own professions and within society as they mature into adults. Teachers foster not only intellectual development, but physical, social, psychological, and emotional development. They work with people across multiple generations and backgrounds (students, parents, grandparents, other faculty members, etc.) to fulfill their role.
 * 2) I have prepared for this profession through my college classes, observation hours and shadowing, student teaching, and through my own experience working at daycares and tutoring centers over the last four years. I have documentation of my experiences in all of these places including my college transcript and certification, and I can show you the professional portfolio I have put together as evidence of my professional development.
 * 3) I have prepared some sample lesson plans, hands-on learning ideas, and letters of recommendation which all describe me as a professional and my teaching style when working with large groups of students and in small group settings in the classroom.
 * 4) Teachers can shown more accountability to students and parents primarily through communication. This may be in the form of frequent parent-teacher conferences, report cards and progress reports, classroom websites, or other forms of easy and frequent communication. Teachers can also create an atmosphere that is welcoming and encouraging to parent involvement and communication. Teachers can show accountability to their school through involvement in staff meetings and professional development. Teams of teachers on the same grade level can have regular meeting times to discuss curriculum or teaching/lesson ideas. They must also communicate frequently to their supporting staff and superiors to make the entire school function together smoothly.
 * 5) As a new teacher, the first place I would turn to would be my colleagues. I would find another teacher with several years of experience, preferably within that school and grade level, and ask him or her for advice on the specific areas I found challenging. I would also rely on my supporting staff for ideas and materials to best keep up and help my students most effectively.

- Kristin Stanberry

-Kalleigh Chrz


 * 1) The role of being a teacher is a profession that all children are in need of. Along with teaching there are many of responsibilities, not only about the core subjects but life in general. As a teacher students spend more time weekly with you at school than they do their parents in their homes so therefore students will also need a positive role model to look up to and learn from. Teaching not only involves just the student but also involves parents, grandparents, siblings, and other family members to communicate and share information with.
 * 2) I have prepared for this profession by receiving my high school diploma, attending college, observing classrooms, job shadowing in different schools, substitute teaching and helping with school activities throughout my last 4 years of college.
 * 3) I have prepared many of different lessons in various subjects. I have prepared lessons from being hands on to straight lecturing to change up the pace of my classroom. Also I have prepared group projects along with simple on your own assignments for the students to get a different perspective and different ideas from each other when working in groups.
 * 4) Teachers can show more accountability by checking in with parents on a regular basis. Many of times it is good to send completed work home with the student for the parent to sign so that the teacher is aware that the parent is being involved in what is going on at school. Also parent teacher conferences have helped with the communication and getting to know the parents on a better level. Take home assignments may be put in a folder and signed so that the parent knows that the child has completed his or her homework that is due for the next day. It is very important to make the parents feel that they are being involved in their children's activities although they are not at school with them. It is the teachers responsibility to make the parent feel like they are welcomed into the classroom when having questions or concerns about their child. The parents should feel that the classroom is not only for their children to come in and learn on a daily basis but for the parents to learn about how their children are succeeding in school and school activities.
 * 5) As a new teacher having questions I would first turn to other teachers in the school system. Preferably the teachers that have had the students so they know what is best for that group of students. I would also turn to a counselor because they seem to know how to put important information into a context that will make you feel as if you are doing a good job although you are still having some difficulties. They are positive and keep a good attitude. I also would turn to my administrators if I was still having some difficulties after trying different methods.

-Kalleigh Chrz

-Anna Levine

1. The profession of teaching a very important profession. Teaching is important because without teachers, crucial information could not be passed on from generation to generation and this would cause confusion. Teachers not only help with developing children and young adults intellectually, but they also serve as role models to students. Teachers can be like parents, in that they help their students understand what is right and wrong in our daily lives. Teachers not only work with young children, but also college students and even older generations. I believe that teachers help mold students into better people and help them grow intellectually.

2. I have prepared for this profession by graduating high school and receiving my diploma, attending college and taking elementary education classes that are very beneficial to my future career, observing classrooms, volunteering at schools with events such as “Pumpkin Pals” and Read Across America. I also have experience with children outside of the classroom from volunteering at the Infant Crisis Center in Oklahoma City, working at an after school program, and babysitting.

3. I have prepared lesson plans, hands on learning ideas, such as fun crafts that help educate the students while having fun, and letters of recommendation from a teacher that shares my strengths as a teacher.

4. Teachers can show more accountability to students and parents through communicating with them and let them know how their child is doing. This can either be through frequent parent teacher conferences, progress reports, report cards, online through the school website, and even letters to the parents letting them know their child’s strengths and what they could work on with their child to help them. Not only could the teacher hold parent/teacher conferences, but parents/teacher/ student conferences so that the student can be there with their parent. Teachers can also have days such as “Bring their Dad or mom to school day.” This could allow their parents to see what their children do every day and this would be fun for not only the parent but the student too.

5. As a new teacher, the first place I would turn to is my colleagues. I would also meet with a teacher who has spent several years teaching, and talk to them about my teaching methods and ask them advice on what they feel is a good method of teaching and what method they use. I could also talk with the school principal and ask them for advice.

-Anna Levine

- Jake Niles


 * 1) The profession of teaching deals not only with presenting students with curriculum but encouraging growth socially, emotionally and as well as physically. To be an effective teacher you need to be infinitely prepared and confident enough to be able to handle whatever situation can arise from day to day. Being a teacher means being patient, empathetic and caring. It also means develops a sense of community within the classroom that will create a comfortable environment in which to learn.
 * 2) I have adequately prepared for this profession by receiving all the required education to receive my licensure. I have also worked with children in numerous capacities from camp counselor to teaching assistant in a kindergarten classroom. The evidence that I can show you to my preparation for teaching are my test results for all tests required to receive my certification.
 * 3) I don’t have any material to give you an idea as to who I am or what kind of teacher I can be but I am willing to be as candid as I can in this interview to hopefully impart that I am the kind of person you would want to have as a member of your educational team.
 * 4) Teachers demonstrate accountability by opening lines of communication with their students as well as parents. A student needs to know that they can approach their teacher with any questions or concerns without any reproach. Teachers also need to be in continual communication with their students to express to them what they are doing to further the student’s education and what the student needs to do to hold up their end of the bargain. Teachers should hold parent teacher conferences but also make sure that there are open lines of communication should the parents have questions or concerns about anything dealing with their student. Finally a teacher should be in constant communication with their fellow teachers as well as administration.
 * 5) As a new teacher experiencing problems in any of these areas the first person I would approach is an administrator or a long standing member of the staff. Hopefully this person would be able to assist in many of these areas or if not with their knowledge of the staff they would be able to steer me in the right direction in receiving the help I would need. Finally the help I would hope to receive would be ideas and procedures that have helped them with similar issues in the past as well as resources that I could use to increase my confidence and abilities in these areas.

- Jake Niles

Anna Mason 1.) Teaching is about delivering the promise of a future to students. As a teacher you are partially responsible for the future of your students. Without proper education in your classroom, how is a student supposed to move on? To me, teaching English in a high school setting is about letting students know there is more to life than getting a grade. There is joy and freedom in writing and I want my future students to understand that. 2.) I come from a family of teachers. My father was a fourth grade science teacher for many years, then a principle, and now a superintendent of schools. I would wait on him to take me home so I spent many hours in the school after hours observing what teachers did outside the class. My mom early childhood certified and I have spent time in her classroom. Enough time to know I could never teach little kids, they drive me crazy after a couple of hours. Educators have always been a huge part of my life and despite my protest I would never be a teacher, all I can think about now is how my classroom will be and what methods I will use to teach. I taught art in an after school program for a semester in an inner city school and that was a pretty big eye opener. I love to read about what teachers are doing that works, and what doesn’t work. 3.) I have written several lesson plans covering topics like the Canterbury Tales, Of Mice and Men and a lesson over the Anti-Hero in literature based around comic books. 4.) State standards as well as national standards have started to weigh on teachers more and more. Teachers are being forced to be accountable for students who fail or do poorly on standardized testing, which isn’t fair in my opinion. Testing is not a reliable or accurate way to measure learning in a huge body of students. There are also the series of Praxis’s test designed to gauge a teacher’s aptitude.

5.) My first resource would be my dad. He’s been through everything there is to go through being a new teacher. I value his expertise as a teacher and as a member of the administration. He is also a licensed presenter for Love and Logic. I would also ask my old teachers from high school. I have great relationships with several of my teachers including one of my old English teachers and I know they would have valuable insight. I would also identify a colleague who would be willing to help me. I would identify a teacher who has been doing the job for a long time and someone who was in the same area as me.

-Judy Schillo 1) The profession of teaching should include a proficiency in the subject that is being taught, whether it is elementary math or secondary American History, in order to pass this knowledge onto the children that are being taught. However, this profession shouldn't simply encompass a vast knowledge of the subject but should also include instilling a desire and a passion for the subject in students. This profession should also serve to help students grow in multiple areas (intellectually, emotionally, etc.) and should strive to better students, their families, and the community. 2) I have prepared for the profession of teaching by not only working toward a B.S. degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Studies but also through my efforts toward getting a specialized B.A. degree in American History. I have also prepared for this by having some outside experience working with middle school aged children where I taught them in various subjects. 3)To demonstrate my ability as a teacher, I will have prepared assignments and lesson plans that I would use in my classroom in the future as well as letters of recommendation from past professors and any teachers that I may shadow in the future. 4)Teachers demonstrate more accountability for students, parents, and the school from past years in history mainly due to the amount of certification testing that has to be undertaken before they are allowed to teach, testing that includes the Praxis exams and the OGET, OSAT, and OPTE exams in Oklahoma. Teachers are also more accountable because they have to strive to communicate often with their students and the parents of their students. 5) To deal with these issues, I would ask my fellow teachers who have experience in my area for advice or even help if they are willing to give it to get me back on my feet. -Judy Schillo

-Tiffanie Gray 1) The professional teacher not only knows the subject area well enough to teach it, but has also been trained in clasroom management, child development, and learning styles. A professional follows a code of ethics and is responsible for being a role model for their students and colleagues. A professional teacher is held accountable by their students, administrators and community. 2) I have prepared for the profession of teaching by completing the required course work satisfactorily, gaining experience from my observation classes, and tutoring students. 3) I will have a portfolio on hand that includes lesson plans taught, examples of students work before and after I worked with them, and logs of the hours I have spent in the classroom. I will have evaluations from prior teachers, administrators, and clinical experience facilitators. 4) Although teachers have always been accountable due to the fact that even their personal lives were dictated by the community, today the accountability is more measureable. There are tests that students have to pass or the teacher can lose her job. The teacher is accountable to the administrators as well as their colleagues. Where it used to be one teacher in a building by themselves with a group of kids, there are now multiple teachers around, even in the same classroom. The presence of the teacher's colleagues holds them accountable for their use of disciplinary action as well as how effective their teaching practices are. 5) The best source of help would be your mentor teacher or other experienced teachers. For help with specific students, their prior year teacher would be a great source of help. You can ask what worked with those students. For students that are behind, enlisting the help of a specialized area teacher might help you come up with a plan to help them get caught up. -Tiffanie Gray

-Kaci Botts 1. To me, the profession of teaching is guiding students and showing them that learning can be fun. As a teacher you have to be able to teach your children what they need to know, discuss your students' activities in the classroom with their parents and go in to a meeting with your principal all in a professional manner, and sometimes all within the same day. Teachers' have to be able to "keep the peace" in their classroom and deal with any discipline problems as they arise. Most of the time, you are in your classroom by yourself with no one there to help. Yes, there will be teachers next to you and your principal will be down the hall, but you are in charge of what goes on in your classroom and the way that things are conducted. So not only is the profession about making things fun and interesting in your classroom, it’s about being able to work by yourself and be self-accountable. 2. I feel that I am adequately prepared for a teaching career because I have successfully completed the teacher education program at Oklahoma State University. This program has taught me how to write lesson plans, maintain order in my classroom, and given me plenty of observation time in a classroom. During this time I have also put together a portfolio. This has examples of work I have done in my methods classes and also during my student teaching. These include: lesson plans, examples of students work, and pre-/post-test scores to show improvement. All of these elements combined show what type of preparation I have done to obtain my certificate and prepare myself for a teaching degree. 3. I brought with me a couple different examples. I have a lesson plan I used during my student teaching and also a couple of the projects that go with them. I am a very hands-on teacher; all of my plans have an art, dramatic play, storytelling, or creative writing component. I believe, especially with young children, that it's hard to concentrate on someone just talking to you. I like to be active, so I have a lot of CD's with motion songs to work on hand-eye coordination. I have with me examples of different things I have had my student teaching class do in each different subject area. 4. In the past, teachers were accountable for their students no matter what. They were constantly getting evaluated and judge by how well their classroom was maintained and how their students performed. Now, the teachers still have some of that accountability, but the students have their share of it to. The teacher has to be able to show that they are teaching effectively and addressing all of the students’ needs. The students have to show that they are making an effort to learn what is being taught to them, usually in the case of homework and things like that. The responsibility still lies with the teacher, but more people are responsible as well. 5. When you first get a classroom it can be very intimidating. You really need to have a go-to person for questions you have. Usually your principal will assign you a mentor teacher for this. If you have a more specific question or problem it would be more appropriate to ask someone else. The secretary of the school will be good at explaining the easiest way to do the paperwork. A secretary knows all the secrets and shortcuts to the program that you use and is the most valuable asset you could have as a teacher. Technology questions are best answered by the technology education teacher. Nowadays, every school will have someone in that department. They can answer questions about email, your Smartboard or anything in between. Handling channels of communication will be the hardest thing to get used to. I think the best person to ask those types of questions would be the school counselor. They will be able to tell you the best way to approach different topics. For the students who are behind the other ones, definitely talk to the Special Education teacher. If they are on an IEP, they will be able to tell you what you can do to help them. If they aren't on one, they will still be able to give you some tips on what to do. - Kaci Botts

-Kristin Finnicum -Kristin Finnicum
 * 1) The profession of teaching is very important to the function of our society. Without education, no one would be able to effectively function in the real world. And those professions that require years of specialized education would be much more difficult, if not impossible. I also see teaching as a fun profession. There is so much that is interesting about the world we live in, and it is our jobs as teachers to spark that curiosity in our students and show them that school can be fun.
 * 2) I have prepared for this profession through four years of classes preparing me to be a teacher which included classes about developmental psychology, classroom management, educational technology as well as observations of other teachers, shadowing and student teaching. I have also gained experience working with kids outside the classroom in summer camp and church settings. Documentation that proves that I am prepared for teaching includes my degree, letters of recommendation from past coworkers and lesson plans that I have written up.
 * 3) Again, I have lesson plans that I have created, letters of recommendation that describe my teaching style in detail, as well as a few interactive learning activities I plan to use in class.
 * 4) I think the best way to demonstrate accountability is to maintain open communication between teacher, student and parent as much as possible. I think it is best if a child's parent is aware of how their child is doing in school, but the lines of communication between teacher and student are equally, if not more important because that way the student would feel comfortable letting the teacher know if they do not understand a certain lesson.
 * 5) I first plan to get to know my coworkers and hopefully begin to use the beg, borrow, steal method by swapping ideas and tips with them. But, to be honest, if I was in the situation described above the first person I would go to is my mother. She was a teacher, so I feel that I could go to her for advice without looking incompetent in front of my coworkers. I also keep in contact with many of my teachers from grade school, so I would probably ask some of them for advice as well.

-**Tracy Roberts Hoover** -Tracy Roberts Hoover
 * 1) The teaching profession is a field in which qualified individuals have undergone rigorous preparation and have the skills necessary to be able to enlighten other individuals about a topic of specialization. Professionals in this field also contain a high standard of ethics that guide them through their decision making skills in the classroom.
 * 2) I believe that I am qualified to teach by my numerous educational courses and professional development. I earned my BS in biochemistry and molecular biology and also my *MS in Teaching, Learning and Leadership with an emphasis on secondary science education. I have attended a national conference for science education, served as a judge for a science fair hosted at the state level, and have attended two science education professional development working laboratories. By having my teaching license, I also have passed three Praxis exams and am recognized by the state of Oklahoma as being eligible to teach secondary school aged children. * I am currently working on my MS, and the conference I am attending is in November in which I am a presenter for a paper I am working on with my advisor.
 * 3) I have brought with me a hardcopy and an electronic copy of my teaching portfolio which contains my Philosophy of Teaching, lecture samples, laboratory samples, curriculum samples, letters of recommendation from other teaching professionals, teaching evaluations, and also a video of myself giving a lecture to students during my student teaching internship.
 * 4) Teacher show accountability to their community moreso than in previous years by completing the Praxis examinations which prove a teacher’s level of knowledge for the subject being taught. Teachers are also held accountable to their superiors within the school system that set a high level of standards for all teachers to achieve. Additionally, on a personal level teachers reach out to students and parents by ways of specialized tutoring, conferences, often attending school board meetings, and volunteering their time for extracurricular activities.
 * 5) New teachers are often times overwhelmed during their first or few years, it is therefore pivotal to develop a support system both within and outside of the school. The biggest support system for a new teacher is fellow teachers and colleagues acquired during their collegiate years. These two groups have either already gone through what you are experiencing and can offer advice or are currently going through similar experiences and you may be able to come up with solutions together. There are also people within the school that can assist a new teacher, such as the school secretary with paperwork or the school computer specialist with technology requirements. When having students who require special or adaptive ways of learning it is good to contact a teacher in the special education unit or the student’s previous teachers for tips or advice on how they were able to work with the child in the past. It is also wise for teachers to join online teacher associations that have teachers of all levels from across the country that can offer their advice. I personally encourage science teachers to join the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

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 * Jessica Robinson**

1. I describe the profession of teaching in a few ways. Teaching is a job in which a person is responsible for the betterment of children regarding their continued education; being a role model for students; supporting students' academic endeavors through encouragement and guidance; being a ward of students' and childrens' rights; and of being a cultivator of self-esteem, self-confidend, and self-respect in students, to list a few.

2.[This is the future me answering] I have received a Bachelor's degree in education from OSU where I maintained a GPA of 2.5 or better. I've passed all three of my certification tests, plus I have taken additional OSAT tests so that I am certified in more than one subject area. I have participated in the OSU-TPS Urban Participation program which has helped prepare me for challenges faced by at-risk schools. I have completed 45 hours of field observation and I have a clean record as determined by the background check performed by the Federal United States Government.

3. I've prepared a portfolio that contains the following:
 * 1) A record of field placements and observation experiences
 * 2) Philosophy of education
 * 3) Professional goals and reflections
 * 4) Credentials and test scores

4. It seems these days teachers are being held responsible for their students' performance on the state-wide tests. Also, principals of schools spend time observing the teachers as they work in their classrooms. Chapter 12 in the book "The American Teacher: Foundations of Education" (Parkerson & Parkerson, 2008) mentions the Praxis teacher evaluation as a means of assessment.

5. I would talk to the principal for help determining "the support staff that might provide assistance" for my needs (Parkerson, 2008, p.299). I would ask the school secretary for help with attendance records, contact with parents, and with special equipment I may need in the classroom. I would ask fellow teachers for help to "locate teaching resources in the school...strategies...helpful information regarding parents" and other tips (Parkerson, 2008, p.300). 1339291294133929129413392912941339291294133929129413392912941339291294133929129413392912941339291294133929129413392912941339291294

1) Teaching is inspiring the thirst for knowledge. Teaching is teaching others how to learn. Teaching is helping others realize their potential. Teaching is a profession that comes with great accountability, as it holds the power to influence the next generation, which in turn will influence the next. Teaching is a profession of compassion, as it requires self-sacrifice. The profession of teaching comes with the responsibility to pursue continuing education, as the field of science and education is continually progressing. 2) I have earned a degree in Secondary Education/Biological Science through Oklahoma State University College of Education, graduating in the top ten percent of my class. I have successfully passed the OGET, OSAT, and OPTE for Biological Science and have been certified to teach middle school math. In the field of science, I have had four years of experience working in a genetics based research lab. I have spent time as a volunteer tutoring in an alternative school for youth who are in difficult situations or are having trouble meeting the requirements to obtain a high school diploma. 3) I have a prepared portfolio containing all my academic records including my transcript and test scores. I have also included grant proposals I have submitted and been awarded for scientific research. I have provided documentation of volunteer work I have done with youth at my church, along with documentation of the work I have done with youth in challenging situations. 4) Teaching is a professional occupation. Teachers are held to higher standards of academic achievement, with required continual education. Teachers are accountable for communication with parents. This can be achieved through parent-teacher conferences, report cards, and classroom websites. Teachers are also accountable for the understanding of school policies, procedures, and ethics. 5) I would turn to a seasoned teacher with a good reputation for advice. I would look for a teacher who teaches similar subject matter and youth of similar age. I would seek the instruction of the school superintendent and principal. If having difficulty with students, I would ask the school’s student councilor for guidance.

Jessica Stromski