Name: Beverly Strong

Date: 12/9/2024

Grade Level and/or Content Area of Teacher or Instructional Coach: Kindergarten Teacher with English/Language arts as her subject area

Signature of Teacher or Instructional Coach:

Date of interview:12/7/2024

1. What is your background, training, and experience as an educator? Brandi Scott  works as a kindergarten teacher at Abrassober Christian Academy. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in education at Indiana University Northwest in 2010.  Shelived in Indiana her entire life. Prior to getting her position at ACA in 2011 she was a lead teacher for an aftercare program at her local YWCA. She has training hours in conscious discipline. Her experience as an educator has been nothing but rewarding from helping students get services for learning delays to promoting students to the next grade.

1. What digital apps, digital programs and digital media do you use in your classroom? Brandi Scott uses Animoto to provide students with a 30-second video of what they learned in a lesson. She also uses ClassDojo for behavior management and to provide positive feedback online which delivered straight to parents cellphone

1.  How do you stay current with key research that supports technology’s role in improved student learning outcomes?She takes each student's strengths and weaknesses into consideration when planning activities. Also students' backgrounds and culture are included so students can build upon what they already know. She states this technique helps her tailor her instructions and assessments to fit every student. 

1.  When you learn that a digital tool or a pedagogical practice is not as effective as you originally thought, how do you adjust? She attends yearly conferences hosted for primary educators and does 3 hours of monthly professional development in sequence to kindergarten learning standards.

1. How do you engage in conversation about current research or findings from the learning sciences?She examined how the tool was being utilized in the classroom, potentially focusing on incorporating different activities to enhance engagement (having parent hour where parents come learn side by side with their scholar).This way parents see their child’s engagement in person.

1. How do you make educational research meaningful in your context?She engages with students on current research by providing pictures and short videos that resemble research findings, making information talked about is easier for young minds to comprehend 

1. What is your experience in online or blended learning environments? Her experiences with online learning environments has been positive. With society becoming more technology Savvy she appreciates the access to videos, interactive modules, and online discussions via web.

1. What strategies do you use to engage students in active learning in online or blended learning environments? She has her students engage with reading and help them to know roughly what they’re being taught (learning topic). She learned over her years of teacher that creating personalized learning experiences through varied learning content helps student be excited about learning

1. How do you manage technology use in the classroom and in the online or blended learning environment? She manages technology use by only engaging with technology for an hour a day, 20 minutes per activity lesson (school’s policies).

1. How do you engage students in setting clear ground rules and parameters for technology use? There are limits on what kinds of things (websites) they can look up and do on the Internet (school policies).

1. Reflecting upon your class, how does this specific group of students create a completely unique learning group and environment? There is a group of students (3 students) that come from the same family, caregivers are non-English speaking. These students are labeled by other teachers as disabled because they don’t catch on like English speaking students. She supports these students' unique learning by making learning personalized to them which involves planning standards-based instruction that’s differentiated and modified to meet their needs.

1. How would you recognize and describe diversity as an asset? You have to create assessment documents that represent each student's needs and cultural background. The first steps would be to avoid bias by focusing your attention on students who excel in every subject. 

1. How do you model cultural understanding for your students? Once a month  Ms.Scott engages in different cultures in the classroom through events ( Cinco de Mayo day, Indigenous peoples day, etc) and cultural sharing activities ( through discussions and daily journals).

1. What are the factors that affect your student’s learning? One factor that affects student development is not coming to school everyday. They’re missing information being taught, and have to play catch up, which is difficult when different things are being taught everyday.

1. How can technology enhance your student’s strengths and remove barriers? She believes that her students can experience different aspects of learning styles (Auditory, Kinesthetic, Visual, etc) when engaging through technology with videos, audio recordings, and interactive simulation.

Reflection

Technology Goals 

Describe how the teacher or instructional coach stays current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes. Describe how the information connects with any personal experience or content learned in this course (e.g., research, theory, a scholar’s work). Include one step for improving your professional teaching practice based on reflection and analysis of the interview.

 She actively engages in 3 hours of professional development monthly and attends yearly conferences. This connects with my personal experiences of teaching students with non-English speaking parents. I also had to find new techniques to support them ( providing bingular handouts, and plenty of visual aids with lessons). One step I will put in place is having students engage in Think-Pair-Share, which involves participation with peers.

Manage Technology Use 

Describe how the teacher or instructional coach manages use of technology and student learning strategies in digital platforms, virtual environments, or in the classroom. Describe how technology supports student learning outcomes. Include one step for improving your professional teaching practice based on reflection and analysis of the interview. 

Ms.scott manages technology by making sure that each technology method fits a purpose (English/Language arts subjects).Her students are only allowed to go on current websites per school policies. I believe technology helps students who are visual learners, they need visuals while learning new skills. One step I will practice is engaging in professional developmental courses monthly instead of yearly professional development sessions.

Cultural Competency

Describe how the teacher or instructional coach demonstrates cultural competency in his or her classroom. Describe how diversity is an asset. Include one step for improving your professional teaching practice based on reflection and analysis of the interview. Ms.Scott demonstrates a respect for students' culture by including student cultural backgrounds in mind when planning activities. I believe that diversity is reading books featuring characters from different ethnicities, religions, and abilities to introduce my children who are under 3 to diverse experiences. One step I can improve is to provide more feedback on students' progress to parents. Quarterly isn’t enough, I can create monthly progress reports to keep them informed and actively involved in their child's education