Comments by David Kuschner

Year: 1997-1998
Intern: Mrs. Roxanne Your
Placement: Kindergarten, Summit Elementary School, Forest Hills School District Mentor Teacher: Mrs. Katie Geiger
University Resource Person: David Kuschner

Final Evaluation

Roxanne had a very successful internship experience. She assumed a professional approach to the experience from the very beginning and that approach continued throughout the entire year. Roxanne learned the routines of the classroom very quickly and became a valuable asset in the classroom almost immediately. Her mentor teacher was absent for a few days early in the fall and Roxanne assumed full responsibility for the classroom in her absence. Feedback from the teacher and the building principal indicated that Roxanne carded out the responsibilities of teacher smoothly and effectively.

Roxanne's greatest strengths are her ability to relate to children, both individually and in groups, her planning and organization skills, and her ability to work as a member of a team. Roxanne built effective relationships with the children in the classroom, relating well with them individually and during the course of the activities. The children clearly saw her as a teacher in the classroom. In addition, Roxanne worked very well with a special needs child in the classroom and collaborated effectively with the other specialists in the building who were involved with this child. Roxanne also has the ability to lead small and whole group lessons/activities very well. She gives clear instructions and paces activities well. Roxanne also developed her group management skills during the year. She knew when to be firm in responding to problem behavior and I can honestly say that I did not observe any significant child behavior problems during my more than fifteen visits to her classroom.

Roxanne became very skillful in planning and carrying out activities. She was consistently prepared both in terms of materials and sequencing and pacing of activities. I have the sense that Roxanne is an organized person in general and this characteristic was evident in her teaching. In the same way that I never witnessed a significant child behavior problem, I never saw Roxanne unprepared.

Finally, Roxanne works very well as a member of a team. As mentioned above, she collaborated well with the specialists in the building but even more significant was the working relationship she developed with her mentor teacher. They divided up responsibilities when appropriate and whenever the mentor teacher was "in charge," Roxanne was always there to assist her. Roxanne took the initiative in the classroom to "do what needed to be done." She didn't simply wait around for instructions.

I think Roxanne is well prepared to assume responsibility for a classroom of her own, and although her internship placement was in a kindergarten classroom, I am confident that she would be successful in a primary classroom as well.