Interview Reflection

After talking with one of my cooperating teachers about her input on reading and

assessment I was surprised to learn that she had a whole new outlook than I did. I interviewed

Beth Husband, a resource room teacher at Lancaster Elementary for grades K-5. She has been

the resource teacher for 10 of the 11 years she has taught. Mrs. Husband has also been in a 5th

grade classroom, a 4th grade classroom, and a 2nd grade classroom while their original teachers

were on Maternity leave.

Since Mrs. Husband is the only school’s resource teacher she spends time helping

students in all subjects but most students solely work on reading, phonics, and comprehension.

The school uses 2 reading programs, the first being Leveled Literacy Intervention and the second

which are mainly for those students who struggle the most, Rigby. Mrs. Husband explained how

it is difficult to decide what each student needs because although she likes the reading program

LLI, the principal would rather her focus mainly on phonics.

Assessment is an important key to see how much students improve after being pulled out

of the general education classroom and given more one on one instruction. Tests are often given

a few times throughout the year by the state to test each individuals reading level, however, Mrs.

Husband discussed the importance of anecdotal notes and observation. She believes that these

forms of assessment are the best forms of assessments to use for those students who are not

benefiting in the general education classroom. The school requires running records and bench

marks which are kept in each student’s file. At the end of a time period Mrs. Husband uses the

assessments she has gathered and writes new goals for each student, and uses the information to

make graphs charting each student’s individual achievement.

 After this interview was completed I had gained a new insight on reading assessment. I

learned that it is difficult to balance your reading philosophy with what the school wants you to

teach. Written tests given by the state will always exist in my opinion, however, I was shocked

to learn how important Mrs. Husband believed both anecdotal notes and observations were.

Spending time in this classroom will help me focus on becoming a better observer. I hope to

learn from Mrs. Husband in this aspect so when I have my own class I will be able to

individually help each student achieve.

I have always understood that each student learns differently but after interviewing Mrs.

Husband I truly believe that each student will have different goals. Although Mrs. Husband

teaches in a resource room I think that it will be beneficial to my students and me to write goals

with each of my students at the beginning of the year and focus on their individual needs. So

much time is spent on reading during the day that I think using the assessments that have worked

with Mrs. Husband will help benefit me as a teacher. It is important that I always remember that

each student is an individual and that anecdotal notes and observation are assessments that can

be used to show improvement for each student.