WSUKNOTt Alt. Cert. Survey

If you have questions concerning this survey please contact

Dr. Judith Hayes

at 316- 978-6580 or e-mail judith.hayes@wichita.edu

College of Education

Wichita State University

Survey of Teaching Practices of Alternative Certification Teachers

WSU Transition to Teaching Program

Over the past several years, WSU staff members have attempted to determine what characteristics, if any, may be unique to individuals who become involved in teaching through WSU’s Alternative Teacher Certification program. This survey asks you, as an individual who has taken coursework and is employed as a result of participating in the WSU Alternative Teacher Certification program, to share background information as well as prior work and/or personal experiences that led to your decision to become a teacher. Information you provide will be treated in strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone without your expressed written permission. Your information will be combined with input from others who have taken part in the alternative certification program to determine if there are any common background experiences and decisions that led many of you to become teachers. In addition, we are also interested in current work related factors that may influence your continued involvement in teaching. Your input will help provide valuable information for screening, admitting and retaining future candidates into the Alternative Certification program. Please take a few minutes to complete the questions below. Your help in gathering this information will be greatly appreciated.

The questions asked should take no more than a few minutes of your time. We would like to have your responses no later than May 1, 2010.

We sincerely thank you for your help.

Dr. Judith Hayes, Director

WSU Transition to Teaching

Dr. Randy Ellsworth, Director

Center for Research & Evaluation Services

My WSU ID

My current position is best described as:

Classroom Teacher Instructional Support Staff School Level Administrator District Level Administrator

Other:

In each of the questions below, please select the best responses from the list provided. If none of the options describe your choice, please use the "Does Not Apply" box for your answer.

1. Looking back, BEFORE becoming a teacher, how SIGNIFICANT were the following reason(s) regarding your decision to pursue a career in teaching?

2. Prior to becoming a teacher, how BENEFICIAL were the following personal life experiences in helping you assume your duties as a teacher?

3. Prior to becoming a teacher, how BENEFICIAL were the following previous work-related or professional experiences in assuming your duties as a teacher?

4. Now that you are involved in teaching, how Satisfying has your involvement been in relation to the following items?

5. Now that you have started teaching, how HELPFUL have you found the support provided from those listed below in carrying out your duties as a teacher?

6. Looking to the future, where do you see yourself in 5 years (Please select the best response of those listed)?

7. Please use the space below to make any additional comments related to the questions above:

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	Extremely Significant	Mostly Significant	Somewhat Significant	Seldom Significant	Not At All Significant	Does Not Apply
a. I had always wanted to be a teacher.
b. I saw it as a career with good job security.
c. Teaching offered better pay/benefits.
d. The teaching day and calendar year were a good fit with my family.
e. I love my content and want students to receive accurate information and become excited.
f. I knew that I liked working with children and want to make a difference in their lives.
g. I saw it as a temporary change of careers to provide an income until other employment options became available.
h. I wanted to make a difference for society.
i. I had a hard time learning in school and knew I could help others.
j. One or more family members are, or have been, involved in teaching.
k. Other:

	Extremely Beneficial	Mostly Beneficial	Somewhat Beneficial	Seldom Beneficial	Not At All Beneficial	Does Not Apply
a. Working or volunteering as a tutor.
b. Being involved in youth activities through my church or through other organizations (scouting, Big Brothers/Sisters, etc.).
c. Volunteering in a school.
d. Being a parent.
e. Helping younger brothers or sisters / extended family with homework.
f. Being a successful student
g. Other:

	Extremely Beneficial	Mostly Beneficial	Somewhat Beneficial	Seldom Beneficial	Not At All Beneficial	Does Not Apply
a. Working in training/ teaching capacities in my prior job(s).
b. Working as a paraprofessional.
c. Designing curriculum or training materials for my prior work / jobs.
d. Utilizing skills in management and multi-tasking.
e. Utilizing strong communication skills and team-building exercises in my previous job(s).
f. Utilizing relevant, authentic content expertise gained in my previous job(s) to engage and motivate student learning.
g. Other:

	Extremely Satisfying	Mostly Satisfying	Somewhat Satisfying	Seldom Satisfying	Not At All Satisfying
a. Interacting with students from different cultural, ethnic or socio-economic backgrounds.
b. Designing learning experiences based on individual students’ learning styles and abilities.
c. Designing learning experiences based on individual students’ special education needs.
d. Engaging students in instruction in a way that motivates them to learn.
e. Developing and maintaining a record management system that informs me and my students about what they have accomplished and/or need to accomplish to master course requirements.
f. Setting and enforcing classroom management standards with students in an attempt to foster a positive learning environment.
g Meeting with a student’s family to discuss his or her social interactions and/or instructional program.
h. Interacting with peers in professional learning communities to enhance my content knowledge and pedagogical skills.
i. Interacting with school administrators as necessary to carry out my assigned duties.
j. Designing instruction that encourages students to think critically and develop real life problem solving skills.
k. Other:

	Extremely Helpful	Mostly Helpful	Somewhat Helpful	Seldom Helpful	Not At All Helpful	Does Not Apply
a. My school administrator
b. My in-school assigned mentor
c. Other school district personnel
d. My University Alternative Certification program supervisor/liaison/coordinator
e My University Faculty / Instructors
f. My District assigned Peer Consultant / Coach
g. My Alternative Certification program peers
h. Other:


a. Still teaching at the same school
b. Still teaching but at a different public urban school.
c. Still teaching but at a different public suburban school
d. Still teaching but at a different public rural school
e. Still teaching but in a private or parochial school
f. Not teaching but still in the field of education (e.g., school counselor, school psychologist, librarian, support staff, etc.)
g. Not teaching but working as a school administrator or /supervisor
h. Back in a job in my prior career
i. In another career altogether
j. Retired
k. I am unsure of my future plans
l. Other: