Ever since I have known Mrs. Grey, she has been full of energy so I knew that this interview would be interesting. Mrs. Grey believed that the best lesson plans are the ones that get your students wanting to know more about the topic. She says by using computers and the internet students are able to do more research from their own homes about a subject. An example she gave me of a lesson plan talked about how students form groups almost all the time. She asked me if I knew what constructivism was? I said, "Yes, of course I do. That was going to be my next question." Mrs. Grey said that constructivism has allowed her to get the students more of a hands on approach to the material that they are studying. She says that in her science class, her students are asked to use the scientific method. The first thing she tells them to do is form groups and have a leader, recorder, investigator, and one responsible to the materials. She says that in this fashion everyone knows that they are expected to do a specific task. By using constructivism, Mrs. Grey believes that her students have been able to learn more and not rely on memorization. She says that in recent years, she has ran into her former students and was amazed at how much they actually remember from their classes. Mrs. Grey believes that students learn much better in groups because their peers are their second best teacher. She believes that as students" parents are a their best teachers. Mrs. Grey says that it is important to know that a students parents are willing to encourage and motivate to get their son/daughter to learn more about the subject.
Interview #3: Dr. Braendar, Principle of Sayen Elementary School.
Question: How would you describe your administrative style?.
When I asked this question to Dr. Braendar she smiled and answered, "hands-on." She says that by being involved with the students and teachers you become more of a friend instead of a boss.
