Teacher Survey

For my teacher interview, I asked my Ceramics teacher, Mrs. Naif, 10 questions about education. 


1. "How should teachers be evaluated?" A: "I think teachers should be evaluated through a variety of ways-observations, student evaluations, etc. Just simply focusing on test scores is not an adequate assessment of long-term learning taking place within a classroom". 


2. "Do you think education at La Sierra High School is good?" A: "I think the education offered at LSHS is strong, but could be improved. If teachers were given more flexibility to teach creatively (rather than feeling forced to "teach to the test"), students would likely make more cognitive connections".


3. "Should school be longer?" A: "I think the school day we currently have in place is fine; however, it would be interesting to see if "block scheduling" would be a success as it is in some other schools".


4. "Should parents be involved more in students' education?" A: "Parents should definitely be more involved in the child's education-this is seriously lacking right now!".


5. "What would you like to see changed in education methods?" A: "I'ld like to hear about more creative control given back to teachers (autonomy) so that variety can be re-introduced to students rather than daily, mundane note-taking or book work".


6. "Should discipline be enforced more?" A: "I think the current display of discipline is more than enough right now-in fact, I'ld like to see more teachers focus more on making connections/building rapport with their students rather than only focusing on "who was late" and "chewing gum", etc. These issues seem frivolous once a teacher attempts to understand some of the issues our troubled students are facing at home, which might explain misbehavior, etc.) As a teacher of at-risk youth, I am continually inspired by this quote: "I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, COMPASSION. These three are your greatest treasures."  - By Lao Tzu".


7. "Is state testing necessary?" A: "I believe state testing is necessary-up to a point. It should not be the "end-all, be-all" in education. There are other ways to assess student achievement". 


8. "Do you agree with graduation requirements?" A: "Yes, I think the current graduation requirements in place at LSHS are adequate".


9. "Should failing students receive more help or concern?" A: "Of course students who are failing be more of a concern. I would like to see them get the help they need during the 2nd period "tutorial time"; however, it is currently too difficult to monitor/track the success of this program as there are way too many obstacles".


10. "If you were to list in order of importance: Student, Teacher, and Parent, how would you do it and why?" A: "1. Student: the essence of education. 2. Teacher: the facilitator of a quality education. 3. Parent: the supporter of a child's education".