Goodbye and Looking Forward

AZTF Teaching Fellow Jon Short

As an AZTF Ambassador, I’ve spent a lot of time time talking to candidates. I’ve answered thousands of phone calls and emails. When I look back at these conversations, I start to see a trend. People really want better for Arizona’s youth.  I’ve met people who have taught in Korea for 10 years, who are accomplished social workers, and who ran their own successful NGOs. I’ve met accomplished college students and esteemed, tenured professors. I’ve met ex-marines and current firefighters. I’ve met professional dancers, pianists, and boxers. I’m constantly amazed at how many people from all ages and industries want to make Arizona a better place through education.

As I get to know our new Fellow cohort (and get to welcome in more after our upcoming interviews), it makes me think about my 2008 Fellow cohort. Last weekend, I went to a concert with one Teaching Fellow from my year and went biking with another the next day. I still rely on many of my cohort members for lesson plan advice. My cohort has helped me become the best teacher and well-rounded person I can be.

Being part of Arizona Teaching Fellows (actually, it was called Phoenix Teaching Fellows when I joined) has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. AZTF gave the chance to show Arizona I can raise achievement levels and dispel the myth that Special Education students can’t succeed. I’m grateful to the program for that, which is why I support it any way I can. I’ve supported AZTF in lots of ways in the past, and I’m excited for the new ways I’ll get to help build tomorrow’s brilliant teachers and leaders.

Arizona Teaching Fellows Interview Event Tips

 

There are three more interview events left for the 2012 cohort for Arizona Teaching Fellows. As the lead interviewer for Arizona Teaching Fellows, I thought it would be helpful to share some Interview Event tips on our blog. Have questions?  Feel free to post a comment or email info@arizonateachingfellows.org.

 

 

Best wishes,

 

Carmen Orozco

Recruitment and Selection Associate  

Teaching Sample

 

Pointers: First, relax. Read over the section in your Interview Event Guide. If that doesn't give you any ideas, think about what you're interested in, or passionate about. What can you make interesting to a group of 10-12 people? Do you like comic books? Teach your "students" how to make an illustrated timeline of a historical event. Are you interested in the environment? Teach the water cycle.

 

Keep in mind:

1. You do not have to teach a lesson from the subject area you have been assigned if you enter the Teaching Fellows program. Maybe you want to ultimately teach math as an AZTF Fellow, but for your interview you know you can teach homonyms in 5 minutes.
2. Your fellow interviewees will be supporting you - you're all going through the same experience!
3. Make it fun. If you're enjoying what you're teaching, chances are your "students" will as well.  But, make sure it's not all fun and games.  We want to see candidates demonstrate they can actually teach a concept.
4. Bring any and all materials you will need for your lesson (handouts, candy, posters, etc.).
5. Practice! In the mirror, for friends, family, etc.

 

Writing Sample

 

Pointers: The prompt will be based on a true-to-life teaching scenario.  Since it's based on a real scenario, it's best not to start with "this would never happen to me, but..."  

 

Keep in mind:

1. Spelling and grammar do count, but the content of your answer carries more weight.
2. You will have 20 minutes for this section. Do take the time to order your thoughts before you start, but don't waste half your time coming up with an involved outline. Only your final product will be reviewed.

Discussion Group

 

Pointers: The prompt will be based on a very realistic teaching scenario.  The prompt will be read aloud while you also have it in front of you. Use this time to truly think about what points you want to make.

 

Keep in mind:

1. Participate, participate, participate.
2. You will have 18 minutes for this section.
3. The selectors (interviewers) will not participate in the discussion group. You and your fellow interviewees are responsible for the outcome of the conversation.

Personal Interview

 

Pointers: This is your chance to dig into the day as a whole, be able to share anything else you want to add to your writing sample or discussion group, demonstrate your passion for teaching and education, talk about your past experiences, and really make a lasting impression on your selector (interviewer). Use it!

 

Keep in mind:

1. Your selector will be taking a lot of notes - don't let it discourage you if they are not making a lot of eye contact!
2. You have 25 minutes. Make the most of it!
3. Your selector is a current teacher, school staff member, or administrator. Think of what questions you want to ask them about teaching in Arizona.

Waiting

2010 Arizona Teaching Fellow

Kelsey Ahlmark 

Yuma, Arizona

This week I rented the 2010 film, “Waiting for Superman.” Chances are if you are reading this blog you have seen the movie. If you haven’t seen the film, it follows five young students as they take their chances on a lottery in order to gain acceptance into a charter school.

Four of the five students featured in the film are facing tremendous odds: They come from parents who are uneducated themselves and live in impoverished neighborhoods with high crime rates. Despite their surroundings, these students have big goals that center on obtaining a strong education in subjects like math and science. However, by the time these students reach high school the likelihood of them even graduating has dropped tremendously and without a high school diploma (approximately 1.2 million every year) these students will be 8 times more likely to be in prison, 50% less likely to vote, and are ineligible for 90% of jobs.  These aren’t just statistics: these are actual students in schools just like the one I teach at.

These numbers are frightening and outright outrageous, but there is hope. Hope lies in the most important aspect of public education: Effective teachers. Countless studies show that the biggest factor for change is when the teacher is effective at teaching. So, what can I as an educator dedicated to not failing my students do to create a culture of success? I follow three simple rules in my classroom that I work towards meeting everyday:

I set high academic goals and standards - This is my number one commandment for teaching. By putting into place high academic goals and standards I am instilling confidence in my students that they can overcome challenges because they are capable of doing hard things.

I use best practices - Best practices are your bread and butter. Without them, you are blindly choosing activities and practices that are based on chance and not what is proven to help raise achievement.

Lastly, I start everyday with a blank slate for every student - I have students who have done or said something that has caused me to become upset, but my passion for education allows for me to walk in the next day without remembering what happened the day before. This attitude is what allows students to trust me and it builds an appropriate mentor relationship between us.  Maintaining their trust is critical because they are not just "waiting for Superman".  My students are waiting for me.