EDU 4010.

OL1 Field Observation Teacher Interview Protocol

Name: Megan Pulley
Date: 11/22/16
Teacher: Mrs. Nowell
Subject/Grade Level(s): Sixth Grade English Language Arts
Instructions: Please let the teacher know the interview will take up to 45 minutes. You can
use zoom, telephone, a local coffee shop, or their classroom to interview your teacher. You
do not have to submit the questions to the teacher, as you want the interview to be more
of a conversation. The purpose of these interviews is to allow you to connect what you
observe, to the teacher, to your text, and to your own practice as a teacher. After
conducting your interview, you will provide a summary (no more than one page) of each
teacher content area you conduct your observation for. You may find that a teacher is
unable to answer all questions. This is ok! This summary will include what you gleamed
from the interview, points you wish to include within your classroom, and any connections
you made to the course, text, or activities. This will be submitted at the end of the
semester at a date determined by your instructor.

1. Please tell me a little about yourself and why you became a

teacher?
Mrs. Nowell stated that she debated in college whether to go in to
education or journalism. She chose journalism and had a career in it
for 20+ years. After a mid-life crisis she decided to go back to school
to become a teacher. She started teaching while taking her courses
and received her degree over a 2-year period. She has now been
teaching for 7 years.

2. How do you prepare for standards-based instruction with your

class? (probing statements i.e. preparing to conduct caring and
organized class activities, prepared to promote learning to recall and
comprehend, or and/or preparing to promote learning to apply,
analyze, sensitize, or evaluate.
In preparation for the year, she goes through the 6th grade
curriculum and structures her planning to insure she covers
everything. She spaces units out throughout the year to get it all in
and to cover the standards. She prefers to teach certain things at
certain times of year.

3. How do you motivate your students to participate and learn?

(probe for how they lead students to attempt assigned task and
activities, how they lead students to direct their own behavior and/or
devote energy to tasks, or how students take visible initiative and/or
devote energy to tasks, and/or how they lead students to take visible
initiative and/or persist when task is difficult)
Mrs. Nowell said the main way she motivates is to make the children
feel comfortable so that they dont mind talking in the classroom,
which in turn encourages them to participate in learning activities.
She admits it is difficult to motivate a student who isnt motivated.
She believes a students home condition can affect this.

4. How do you include diverse students within your class

activities? (i.e. provide developmentally appropriate instruction for

EDU 4010.OL1 Field Observation Teacher Interview Protocol

the grade/subject, enable as many students to participate, contribute,
be appreciated, or steps to accommodate/include particular students)
She hasnt really had an issue with diversity. Most of the students
have been together since kindergarten. They treat each other as
brothers and sisters. New students are also accepted well.

5. How do you organize your class for interaction and learning?

(probe for how the teacher leads the class to comply with rules and
routines, how they lead the class to regular their own participation in
an activity, how they lead the class to support each other in learning)
She starts everyday with a warm-up, which includes journaling.
Students are grouped at times in a diversified group (lower/higher
level students together.)

6. What do you feel are the characteristics of effective teaching?

(probe for planning, collaborating, standards based assessments,
feedback, family engagement, student engagement?

Know your subject, lots of planning; have more planned to do than

what you think you need. Structure your time so that you arent
spending more time on one thing. She changes activities 4 times
within 90 minutes. Mrs. Nowell stated that 6 th graders dont think
they need structure but they do. She creates an environment where
its easy to interact. This helps the students feel comfortable to ask
questions.

7. How do the Common Core State Standards affect literary and

learning in your content area?
I skipped this question with Mrs. Nowell. Because she teachers
Language Arts, this was covered in question number 2.

8. In what ways do you teach reading comprehension in your

discipline/subject area?
Read a little bit and then stop and discuss vocabulary. Ask
questions. Discuss before moving on. A lot of common phrases that
you think a student would understand, they dont. Dont move ahead
too quickly.

9. In what ways do you motivate your students to read your

texts in your class?
By letting them know theres variety in their scheduled reading. She
really works hard to pick books they would enjoy. She reads the
book to the students to model good literacy. It takes research and
work to figure out what appeals to the students.

10.
In what ways do you incorporate writing in your class
with your students?
Journaling everyday. Book reports. She requires students to write
summaries on the content. They also have short answer writing
throughout the year.

EDU 4010.OL1 Field Observation Teacher Interview Protocol

11.
What professional development have you taken to assist
with literacy within your content area/discipline? From the PD
you have attended, which do you feel has been the most
beneficial to help you in your class?

Currently working on National Board Certification. This work has

helped her more than anything. She collaborates with other teachers
and gains understanding on what they are doing in 7th and 8th grades.

12.
How does your school leadership support you as a
teacher in your content area/discipline, or professionally as a
teacher? (support can be classified as the teacher defines it, but could
include workshops, observations, peer sessions, observing other
teachers, etc.)
Mrs. Nowell said their school leadership is extremely supportive.
They trust their faculty. They communicate the expectations and
without micromanaging they trust the teachers to do what they are
supposed to do.

13.
How do you collaborate with teachers within your
content/discipline area? Outside of your content/discipline area?
(collaboration can look like planning meetings, professional
development, professional learning communities, informal meetings)
Mrs. Nowell said they have a reading and writing PLC where they
meet and discuss needs. Teachers get together to discuss how
writing will be taught. Each teacher has to blend with what the
others are doing.

14.
How do you learn about a students prior learning
experiences within your content/discipline?
All teachers meet at the end/beginning of the year. They share notes
and struggles for particular students. Open communication each
year with former teachers.

15.
How do you track your students progress in your class?
Formative assessments? Summative Assessments? Other?
Quizzes, tests, book reports, Fast Forward program reports, reading
passages

16.
How do you support students who struggle with reading
and writing within your class?
Mrs. Nowell offers her services after school for tutoring. TA pulls
students and works more closely with them. She doesnt have a lot
of students who struggle. She believes again this has to do with
great support at home.

17.
Is there anything else you wish to share with me about
teaching or any advice?

Mrs. Nowell states that so much of your success is going to depend

on your classroom management. If you cant manage the classroom
you cant get anything else done. Stay up and on your toes all the

EDU 4010.OL1 Field Observation Teacher Interview Protocol

time. You must plan the class and not have down time. You must be
energetic.