Essay Question #1: The first portion of the portfolio, candidates will write on two essay questions? Like the “good to great companies,” Anser has created a “consistent system with clear constraints” but gives teachers freedom and responsibility within the school design of Expeditionary Learning. Anser teachers are expected to utilize consistent teaching practices such as Reader’s/Writer’s Workshop and Cognitive Guided Math Instruction, to name a few. Like these companies, we hire self-disciplined, passionate individuals who take the lead in managing themselves. How do you see yourself fitting into such a system?
As I wrote in one of my application essays, Brene Brown has stated that “What we know matters but who we are matters more.” To me, this statement perfectly describes my stance on the notion of institutional fit. I imagine that these two components - what I know and who I am – are what have brought me to this stage in the interview process. From what I’ve been able to learn and understand about Anser thus far and what I know and understand about myself leads me to believe that we are a great fit.
“A consistent system with clear constraints” alongside teacher autonomy sounds exactly right to me. The need for both equity and responsiveness should be a given in education. Equity, the idea that every student deserves access to an excellent education is built upon clear and common expectations and shared values. And yet there are times in which a novel or innovative approach is necessary as well. This type of responsiveness requires that teachers know their students and have developed meaningful relationships with them.
As teachers, we expect a lot from our students. Each day they enter our classroom we expect them to leave better than when they arrived. We believe that their potential to learn is nearly limitless, and expect them to maximize it. We do not expect it to be easy, but we expect it to get done day in and day out. Do we expect the same for ourselves?
We ought to.
Students need us to excel in what we do. Research indicates that teacher effectiveness has an impact on student achievement. Great teachers add months of knowledge to a student compared to those who are taught by a mediocre one. This understanding motivates me to continuously strive to improve my teaching. There is a lot at stake.