Katia Hamamouche

February 24, 2015

Jennifer Sawa
Westfield Intermediate School
Required questions:
1. I: What do you like most about your class?
T: I love having a library in my room and a special reading spot for the
students. I like having this small group table for students to work around
together. My favorite part is having my own space that the students keep their
germs out of! I also like having my own things on some shelves because it helps
the students get to know me and what I like and my personality.
2. I: What do you like least about your classroom set up?
T: I do not like the way my desks are arranged. I just have so many students that
I have to have them set up like this. Its difficult to get to the middle of the desks
to help a student. I would rather have them in groups. I also wish I had more
than one computer.
3. I: What are your favorite activities to do?
T: I like doing read aloud, so the students can point out their own ideas and
sometimes ideas that I didnt even think of. I like doing anything that allows the
students to move around and games. I like using videos and doing activities that
help with non-cognitive skills.
4. I: Where is the most troublesome spot in the class?
T: The back of the classroom, of course, and the middle of the rows.

5. I: How would you describe your classroom climate? Do you do anything to

foster that?
T: My students know that I have high expectations and that there will be
consequences for their actions. I want my classroom to feel fair and consistent. I
like giving my students jobs because then they feel like they have ownership of
the classroom too.
6. I: What things does your classroom have that makes it interesting and fun?
T: I read Stephen Coveys The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and I
have been incorporating it into my classroom. I also give the Smarty pants
award to a student who has been working well all week. I dont know why but
all my students love my silly chair that is in the shape of a high heal. They love
when I sit in it during read-aloud. As a class we set goals and then have a
celebration when we reach that goal.
7. I: How do you want to make your class feel to the students and how do you go
about doing that?
T: This is a learning environment with high expectations. But I want them to
feel like they can fail as long as they learn from it. I want them to feel
comfortable asking questions:
8. I: What physical set-ups do you like the best when you teach? Group
structures?
T: I like a balance and a little bit of all. We work as a whole class, we do turn
and talks, as well as lectures and small group activities.

9. I: How do you connect management and discipline and its prevention o your
classroom climate and physical layout?
T: I use token tickets where I use a hole punch to mark the ticket when the
student forgets something in their locker or their homework at home. They get 5
marks before they are punished; however, a note is sent home to the parents if
they have to mark their ticket. I also have behavior goals set.
10. I: If I were to set up a classroomwhat are your top five things I MUST do and
five things I must have?
T: Things you have to do before you have your own classroom: read a lot of
booksThe First Days of School and Leader in Me. Make sure you have a signal
to get your students quiet; one that you can hold up and your students know that it
is time to stop talking and listen. Make your own blog and follow other teachers
blogs. Things you must have: You have to have a library full of books that they
students can check out to read during their free time. A reading corner is another
must have. Its nice have book baskets in their cubbies to store their books.
Friday folders are a must. You can put notes and worksheets that will be sent
home to the parents. Mailboxes make it easy to return papers.

Group questions:
1. I: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
T: I had a wonderful second grade teacher who made me fall in love with
learning. She inspired me to pursue teaching.

2. I: With the experience that you have had, if you were just entering college
would you still pursue the same career?
T: No. Teaching has changed a lot recently and it is heading in a bad
direction. There is a lack of support for teachers and unrealistic demands.
Im looking for an out right now. I dont think it will be bad for new teachers,
but for those of us who have been around for a while, it has just changed so
much.
3. I: What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher?
T: When you are teaching and you get through to a kid. I just enjoy being
with the children in general.
4. I: How do you prepare your students for statewide tests?
T: I teach the standards, but I let my students know that they are more than a
score. I have my students practice the format and teach them direction
following.
5. I: How long does it take you to lesson plan for each day?
T: Ive been teaching for 15 years and I only teach language arts, so I already
have a foundation of my lesson plans. If I use my prep time well it probably
only takes my two to three more hours after that.