TL 606: Field Work Assignment

Mustafa Omar

National University

Professor Joy Harris

October 17, 2019

Field Experience: Mrs. Harrington Observation 1

Teacher Interview ITL606

School: ​Helix Charter High School​ City or Town​: La Mesa

Teacher’s Name:​ Melanie Harrington​ Date: ​October 15 2019

[ ✘] General Education [ ] Special Education Designation / Grade Level(s)

10th/11th

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs indicates that we all have 5 levels of needs that must be met:
Physiological, Safety, Love / Belonging, Esteem and Self-Actualization. In your
professional opinion:

1. How important it is for students to have their basic needs met in order to be successful in
School? Why do you think so?

It is important they have their basic needs met. Without the basic needs met and the
teacher can not build trust and relationships. But I hope that these basic needs are met at
home, otherwise, it is more difficult for a teacher to help their students.

2. Which needs are most important to have satisfied so students can thrive in school? Why?

The need to belong and know that there's someone there for them. The reason is that
students need to know that someone believes in them. It enables them to feel like they have
an ally in the classroom. Due to this, they are more likely to try harder.

3. Who is responsible for ensuring that students have their needs met? Why do you think
so?

The teacher is responsible to meet the needs of the students such as having a positive and
trusting relationship in the class. They are also responsible for meeting the needs of the
student while they are at school. But the teacher can not control or meet the needs of
students outside of class. So it is also the responsibility of parents and other people in the
life of the child.

4. What is one thing a teacher might do for a student who has physiological or safety
needs? Why would this be useful?

What Mr. Harrington does in her class is makes all of her students fill out a card that has
information about the student. The student can put what their needs are such as if they
have anxiety, whom to call when they need help and if they are going through something at
home or school. This was useful because it allows her to get to know her students better and
Field Experience: Mrs. Harrington Observation 2

provide for their needs as soon as possible. She also keeps food in the classroom for hungry
students.

5. Ensuring Safety needs are met and making sure students are ready to learn involves
classroom management. What are three things you do to manage your classroom?

1) Restricted the use of phones in the classroom

2) Constant reminder of expectations and rules
3) Incorporating positive reinforcement of behavior (Following the pogressive
discipline policy)

6. Do these fit for students who have a Behavior Intervention Plan? How do you assess
progress? What do you do for students from a different culture?

Yes, it does fit for students with behavior Intervention Plans. It gives them structure their
plan entails. The progress is assessed with the number of discipline issues. She tends to
incorporate different viewpoints and allows students to discuss why current rules and
policy is made before implementing it. She allows them to voice out their opinions on the
policies so that they know that she cares about their opinions and to show that their voices
are heard.

7. Ask one of these 2 questions:

When you know that a student has a specific need that most of the other students do not have,
what do you do to address that need?

She first meets with the student on a one on one level and figures out what their needs are
and how she can help. She then makes sure to implement the needs of that student. For
example, she had a student that could not sit in his seat for more than 15 mins at a time.
She would let him stand up and go for a walk around the building or the room for five
mins. This allows the student to have a break without missing too much information. When
he comes back, she reviews the topic they went over so to make sure he does not miss any
important information. This allows them to fit in the classroom without distracting other
students from learning.
Field Experience: Mrs. Harrington Observation 3

Summary
Mrs. Harrington believed that the most important needs that teachers need to meet are Belonging

and self-actualization. She felt that as teachers we should try to meet as many needs of the

student as possible but she emphasized that a teacher can not meet all the needs of a student by

themselves. She believes that a teacher can only control the environment and expectations of

their class. For example, a teacher can provide a safe and secure classroom while also provide for

physiological needs. A teacher can have food and water in their classroom when students need it.

In the case of Mr. Harrington, she makes her students write their needs and worries on a card to

inform her of what she needs to meet for her student. These cards make sure that Mrs.

Harrington never forgets what her student needs are and how to meet them. She also believes

that classroom management is important for all teachers to know. She follows the progressive

discipline policy when dealing with behavior issues in her classroom. She makes sure to have a

private conversation when dealing with behavior issues in her class. She felt that students tend to

act out more when confronted in front of other students. She allows a discussion in her classroom

so her students know why a rule or a policy is made. She also set clear and high expectations for

all her students.

Reflection
In the interview, Mrs. Harrington gave me a lot of useful advice which I will always remember.

I now understand more about the importance of building a safe and welcoming environment for

students. I additionally understand the importance of meeting the needs of students because by
Field Experience: Mrs. Harrington Observation 4

meeting the needs of students, it enables them to learn. Even though I know that I can not always

provide every need of a student, I can make sure that they build their self-confidence and

abilities to know that they can be successful in whatever they attempt. After my experience

observing Mrs. Harrrigton's class, I found that the simplest jester and acknowledgment of a

student's ability can go a long way to building self confidence. I also like the idea of knowing

what my student worries are while they are in my class. Creating small cards with what my

student is facing will empower me to be a better instructor. Once advice that stuck with me after

the observation was Mr. Harrignton informing me to never highlighting a student with an IEP but

rather have a private conversation with them. This action while seeing Mrs. Harrington

implement showed that it was effective when dealing with IEP student and behavior issues. I

look forward to becoming an educator and applying what I have learned from this observation

and interview in my own classroom.