The document is an education philosophy paper that discusses the author's views on teaching and learning. Some key points: 1) The author believes teaching is a calling that requires shaping young minds and serving as a role model. Teachers should bring out students' curiosity and teach critical thinking. 2) The classroom should be structured to create a productive learning environment. Rules are established jointly with students. Engaging teaching methods like group work and discussions are emphasized over lectures. 3) 21st century skills like technology use, problem solving and communication should be taught. Students should be actively involved in the learning process through projects, questions and peer interaction. 4) A professional learning community involves parents, community groups, government

1. THE BIG INTERVIEW 1
The Big Interview
Denise W. Hall
Course EDU 650: Teaching, Learning and Leading in the 21st
Century
Dr. Jackie Kyger, Ed.D
February 17, 2014

2. THE BIG INTERVIEW 2
My link to the Presentation: http://screencast.com/t/yeZSoeJUlnL
Education Philosophy
Working four-teen years in the California Public School system taught me how an
intercity School district is managed through experiences; as an instructional aide, campus
security, Track coach and my most learning experience was Reading Teacher. My Reading
Program would come from my research and the negative experience I had when I was learning to
read in the Philadelphia public schools. Was bound and determined not to have my students
struggle and get angry in their classes the way I was taught in school. As a teacher I realized this
profession is the highest level of a vocation.
Teaching has to be a calling to have a servant’s attitude. A teacher is put in charge of
young minds to shape and mold to develop thinking individuals. Educators are being role
models for students to become life-long learners because they are our future. Students should
see me as a listener and motivator for them. My role is to direct, encourage an assist with their
learning process. We as teachers should teach students to have critical thinking skills, problem
solving skills, and creativity. We are to bring out students curiosity and imagination. As an
Educator, even when I am not in a classroom I am a teacher. I listen, share related experience
and comfort and communicate that we are here to continue learning.
Classroom Management Plan
The Classroom management involves teacher decisions and actions to create an
environment conducive to learning. My responsibility is to assist students in their learning and
the only way I believe learning is most productive is when the classroom environment is
structured. There are also classroom rules that are part of the school and combined rules the
students help write to put on the wall and each student will sign a copy and turn in to me.
The operation of my class is about educating students, their goals, desires and dreams and
setting out a program within my course curriculum to motivate and encourage engaging learning
activities in the classroom. Slide four express the type of class I plan on having and had in the
past. The oval desk will have students working together in team projects. The trapezoidal table
will also have students doing team projects and research and the ideal plan would have a small

3. THE BIG INTERVIEW 3
library of books in the classroom. The style of teaching I use is to lecture very little and ask
more engaging questions with the students usually having discussion and conversion of the
subject.
The Model of Teaching I Believe I Would Implement
The model of teaching I would use has allot to do with an interview I had with a
particular professor I admire. I would address 21
st
Century Skills in the classroom using
technology in the in the instruction using PowerPoint Presentations, email communication with
students, excel in presenting grafts and charts when explaining statistics and DVD’s of related
lectures pertaining to the course to support teaching and learning. The students would have use
of software this would be plentiful with use of webcams and microphones. Critical thinking
skills has to be addressed in the classroom. Students will have problem solving projects and
within their projects and research they need to find solutions to move on to the next level in the
course. Communicating effectively has to be a priority with verbal and written skills that the
students must learn.
Why I would make this Recommendation
I would make these recommendations from the prior slide from observing the professor’s
style of teaching at the university. Also this is what worked for me when I taught in the past.
Using only limited time in lecturing and having classroom interaction with the students and their
peers. The continual fashion with engaging questions concerning the lesson as well as having
real-life examples that include the topic of the conversation.
The Role I Believe Students Play in the Learning Process
1. The reliance on active rather than passive learning,
2. An emphasis on deep learning and understanding,
3. Increased responsibility and accountability on the part of the student,
4. An increased sense of autonomy in the learner
5. An interdependence between teacher and learner,
6. Mutual respect within the learner teacher relationship,
7. A reflexive approach to the teaching and learning process on the part of both teacher and
learner.

4. THE BIG INTERVIEW 4
My Thoughts on What Building an Inclusive Professional Learning Community Means
A professional learning community means as it has been stated in the past, “it takes a
village to train-up a child.” This means parents should be involved, no matter what age,
community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, churches as in their Youth Groups,
libraries, state and federal government regulations and laws, this is important because all schools
should be equal in the quality of education. One school in one neighborhood should not be more
or less capable of teaching our children. A group of people sharing and critically interrogating
their practice on an ongoing, reflective, collaborative, inclusive, learning-oriented, growth-
promoting way to use individuals in and outside the grounds of the educational environment. All
the organizations I mentioned above as well as businesses and organizations need to give and
serve within our community. The learning community has to come from a total collective of
people who want to improve their community, and the first way to do this is get involve with
educating the children as well as adults.
What a Person Would See In My Classroom During the School Day Would be Similar to
the Photo in the PowerPoint Depending on Grade Level
My teaching and relationship to my students would be interactive and engaging.
Conversations of topics in the lesson as well as asking higher-learning questions, none that will
give me a yes or no answer. Depending on the lesson students may be on computers doing
research or in groups to figure out a solution to a class project. I may be sitting with one student
or a number of students discussing a lesson or strategy. When lecturing in front of my students I
only spend ten percent of my daily teaching time using this activity.

5. THE BIG INTERVIEW 5
Reference
Retrieve from http://www.aishe.org/readings/2005-1/oneill-mcmahon-Tues_19th_Oct_SCL.html
Retrieve from http://schoolcontributions.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/file/view/PROFESSIONAL
%20LEARNING%20COMMUNITIES%20A%20REVIEW%20OF.pdf