TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF

Hi, good morning , I’m Roselle Gay M. Torres from the Philippines. My co teachers and students used to call me
Ma’am Roselle. I’ve been teaching for 6 consecutive years as elementary teacher in public school in our district. I
handled grades 2-6 students and currently an adviser of Grade 3 and been exposed with learners under inclusive
education. I have taught subjects like English, Science, Social Studies, Mathematics. I am an optimistic person, who
has an enthusiastic perspective in life. I love teaching and I am very passionate about it, it delighted me to see my
learners develop and grow better individuals. During summer vacation and leisure time I gathered young learners in
my neighbourhood and do tutorial services especially the young ones who struggled to their studies.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH STRUGGLING STUDENTS?

Most struggling learners have difficulty in reading, hence they’re not even familiar with alphabet. So I had this
learner who is Grade 3 but based on the assessment, his reading level was on Grade 1. So what I did is I include him
on my Reading Program named PROJECT EVOLVE . Enhancing Vocabulary of Learners through Visual Empowerment )
where visual materials and strict reading habit is established. I also have this student who is good at reading but
poor in comprehension skills, so what I did every other day I give him printed materials containing short stories with
follow up questions. In that way, he was exposed in answering questions .

HOW DO YOU HANDLE DIFFICULT STUDENTS OR DEFIANT IN YOUR CLASS?

Starting from the first day of our class, I must see to it that all my students are aware of the rules and regulations
inside the classroom. But in such cases that there are few students are misbehaving distracting and causing troubles.
First, I will keep myself calm, then I will get the attention of that misbehaving student in a hidden way as such not
disrupting the class. Like still talking to the class, discussing then go near him/her and tap his shoulder. Then after
class, I will talk to him privately and will do and follow the classroom rules and regulations. Aside from that I will also
communicate with his/her parents to address the problem.

WHAT KIND OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT?

What I used inside my classroom is Pro-active Approach. Rules and regulations are established on Day 1, letting my
students know what I expect of them, protocols inside that class what must not and must do, and by giving
consequences and rewards. By this approach, it will create a classroom environment that allows students to be just
themselves, to take the risks and understand how to take responsibilities for their actions and feelings so that they
will become a well-mannered individual.

WHAT ARE THE INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES THAT YOU MAY USE IN TEACHING?

Instructional Strategies inside the classroom are very useful to teaching specially that students have different
learning styles and multiple intelligences. They can be visual, auditory reading and writing or kinesthetic. As for me ,
I used 3 instructional strategies. One, is Differentiated Instruction, I made used of different activities that cater the
learning styles and level of a learner. Another is Modifying/Unpacking The Curriculum . by simplifying the lessons
that will be suited to my learners particularly the struggling learners. Last is the Collaborative Learning where
learners learn to work as a team and as a responsible member he/she must contribute equally in order to
accomplish the task given to them.

HOW DO YOU INVOLVE YOUR PARENTS?

As a teacher, I always considered parents as my partner in the development of my learners. I established a constant
communication with them and work hand in hand. If there are any problems regardless to their child , I talk with
them but still in a positive way. With that, parents and I will have close monitoring with regards to the performance
of the students.
HOW WOULD YOU DIFFERENTIATE INSTRUCTION FOR A DIVERSE STUDENTS?

Going back to the learning styles that I have mentioned I accommodate my students with various activities in a way
that learning is easy for them. I also make used of inquiry-based approach and project-based learning to engage
students to real life situations like making decisions, think critically, evaluate and analyze. I also use different forms
of assessments to address the needs of my students.

HOW READY AND PREAPRED ARE YOU TO WORK IN THE US?

Judging from my experiences before this interview, I really worked hard for this opportunity. I invested my time and
effort to be with you today. I did researches, and I am very willing to work and experience the culture there. I was
eager and ready to work there because teaching has been my passion and it always resides in me wherever I go. Ever
since I started my application in the US, my principal, my colleagues, and my family always support me all the way.

SHARE YOUR GREAT EXPERIENCES AS A TEACHER IN THE RECENT YEARS

I have many great experiences as a teacher since I started teaching but the most memorable one is when I was
awarded in my district to be a zero-non-reader class. It was such a big achievement in my teaching career since I
cater 31 students of which most of them are struggling learners. In addition, with that, I have two learners who are
physically disabled wherein one has only one eye and the other has difficulty in walking because of the deformation
of the bones. I did everything that I can, I give them reading materials, I read with them one by one all day and all
these efforts are worthy. And that is something great experience of mine as a teacher.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF STUDENTS DON’T UNDERSTAND YOUR LESSON?

If students are no longer listening to you or have difficulty in comprehending as to what you are discussing as a
teacher, I quickly change my strategy. And if that strategy doesn’t fit again I again used another until I will find the
best strategy that will surely suited to my lesson. And in any case there are still few who don’t understand that will
be the time that I will do a remediation to them.

WHAT ASSESSMENT METHOD DO YOU USE OR HAVE USED?

I usually used formative and summative to test their retention, performance test when they do role playing since
some students love to act and of course in group activities the use of rubrics is needed.

IF I AM GOING TO VISIT YOUR CLASS, WHAT ACTIVITY OR SITUATION I COULD SEE IN YOUR CLASS?

For sure you will enter my room where most of my students interact with me during discussions or students are
actively engaging to activities given to them.

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSPHY IN TEACHING AS A TEACHER?

Every learner has his/her strengths, and we should focus on bringing out the best in them thus as a teacher I must
create a classroom environment where students feel safe and happy while learning. I always make sure that my
classroom environment is conducive to learning.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH COMMON CORE STANDARDS?

Common Core Standards are a clear set of shared goals, standards and guidelines in helping teachers ensure that
students must have all the 21st necessary skills and core content needed to develop globally competent citizens.
WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGHTS AS A TEACHER?

My strength as a teacher is that I am a versatile person, I have this adaptive behaviour where I can easily adjust to
changes in my workplace or any environment, working with new colleagues and even country.

WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES AS A TEACHER?

Even though I am an optimistic person as a whole I was really an introvert and quiet. Sometimes I’m slow to action
because I always consider everything before I decide or start something new. I am very detailed set my goals well
before coming up to a strategy. But I am so happy because as time pass I was able to overcome my shyness and
engage more to group discussions with my colleagues, I actively participate and most of all I was able to manage my
time wisely.

HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE ICT IN YOUR CLASSROOM?

ICT nowadays in our classroom is vital but none of these ICT can replace a teacher. I integrate ICT as my additional
resources to foster my student’s engagement especially to my auditory and visual learners. I mostly used it to have
more engaging teaching learning process.

WHAT IS IEP? (INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN?

As a graduate of Special Education I am very much familiar with IEP and I have already experienced doing an IEP
meeting as a teacher, together with the principal, parents, with other professionals. This particular plan is to assure
that there is a delivery of appropriate educational accommodations necessary for the child with disability to be
successful.

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DRIVE OR DO YOU HAVE A DRIVERS LICENSE?

I do have a driver’s license, since my house is few kilometre from my school I usually ride with my Mio/ single motor
to go to school though I still don’t know how to drive a car I’d be more that willing to learn how to drive it.

IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

What is the student-teacher ratio back there?

Is there any professional organization that I can join in case I will be hired?