1.

Tell me about yourself, your professional and educational background

Mabuhay! My name is Mae Villacorta Apalit, and I am from the Philippines, I am

passionate and dedicated educator with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and I
have completed a Master's degree in Education, major in Educational Management. With 12
years of experience as a classroom teacher, 7 years in private school and 5 years in Public
schools. Currently teach to Grade 1 students handling various subjects like English,
Mathematics, Social Studies, Values and MAPEH. Additionally, I hold various roles within
the school, including ICT designate, sports officer, Reading coordinator and School Paper
advisers in English.

2. What are your three most important reasons for becoming a teacher
Becoming a teacher is a deeply personal and meaningful decision. Here are my three most
important reasons for choosing this profession:

1. Passion for Learning and Being in a Learning Environment: As a teacher, I am

motivated by the opportunity to continuously learn and grow, both personally and
professionally. I believe that fostering a love for learning in students is essential for their
future success.

2. Making a Positive Impact on Young People: Teaching provides a unique opportunity to

make a positive impact on the lives of young people. By imparting knowledge, skills, and
values, teachers can shape the future of their students and contribute to their personal and
academic growth. I am passionate about helping students reach their full potential and
supporting them in their journey towards becoming confident, well-rounded individuals.

3. Sharing Personal Stories and Experiences: Teaching allows me to share my personal

stories and experiences with students, creating a connection and fostering a sense of empathy
and understanding By sharing my own journey and lessons learned, I hope to inspire and
motivate students to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.

These reasons reflect my personal motivations for becoming a teacher. I am excited about the
opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students and contribute to the field of
education.

3. Why are you interested in teaching in the USA?

Teaching in the USA is a dream I've always had, and three personal reasons drive my
interest:
 1. USA offers a diverse learning environment with students from various cultural
backgrounds. Teaching in the USA would allow me to work with students from
different cultures and backgrounds, enriching my teaching experience and
broadening my horizons.

2. The USA has a strong focus on education and values the impact teachers can have
on students' lives. I am drawn to the opportunity to make a meaningful difference
in the lives of students, helping them grow academically, emotionally, and
socially.

3. The USA is renowned for its innovative approaches to education and continuous
professional development opportunities for teachers. Teaching in the USA would
provide me with the chance to enhance my teaching skills, learn from experienced
educators, and contribute to the advancement of education practices.

These personal reasons fuel my passion for teaching in the USA. I am excited about
the prospect of making a positive impact, embracing diversity, and growing
professionally in the American education system..

4.When you think about your students in what ways do you want most to influence their
lives?
When I think about my students, there are two ways in which I aspire to influence their lives:
1. Encouraging Growth Mindset: I want to inspire my students to develop a growth mindset,
where they believe in their ability to learn and improve. By fostering a positive and resilient
attitude towards challenges, I aim to empower them to overcome obstacles and embrace
continuous growth in all aspects of their lives.

2. Instilling a Love for Learning: I aspire to ignite a lifelong love for learning within my
students. By creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences, I want to cultivate their
curiosity, spark their passion for knowledge, and equip them with the tools to become
independent learners. I believe that a love for learning will not only benefit them academically
but also in their personal and professional endeavors.
These aspirations reflect my commitment to making a lasting impact on my students' lives. I
believe that by promoting a growth mindset and instilling a love for learning, I can empower
them to become confident, compassionate, and lifelong learners.

5. What four key components do you believe must be included in a lesson plan?
In my view, four key components should be included in a lesson plan:

1. Clear Learning Objectives: A lesson plan should clearly outline the learning objectives that students are
expected to achieve. Setting specific and measurable goals helps guide instruction and ensures that students
understand the purpose and focus of the lesson.

2. Engaging Instructional Strategies: By incorporating interactive activities, discussions, hands-on

experiments, and multimedia resources, I aim to cater to diverse learning styles and promote active student
engagement throughout the lesson.
 3. Ongoing Assessment and Feedback: Regular checks for understanding and formative assessments help
me gauge students' progress, identify areas of improvement, and provide timely feedback to support their
learning journey.

4. Differentiation and Adaptation: By providing appropriate support, modifications, and extension

activities, I aspire to ensure that all students can access and engage with the content at their own level.

These components reflect my approach to lesson planning. I believe that clear objectives, engaging
instructional strategies, ongoing assessment, and differentiation create a student-centered and inclusive
learning environment that supports meaningful learning and academic growth.

6. Lecture and direct instruction are less favored strategies in classrooms in the USA and should not be
over-used. Describe two core teaching strategies will you use for more interactive and engaging
teaching.
To create a more interactive and engaging learning environment, I will implement two core teaching
strategies:

1. I strongly believe in the power of collaborative learning. By incorporating group projects, discussions,
and cooperative learning activities, I aim to foster teamwork, critical thinking, and effective communication
skills.

2. I am a strong advocate for inquiry-based learning. By designing lessons that encourage curiosity,
exploration, and hands-on experiences, I aim to promote independent thinking, problem-solving skills, and a
deeper understanding of the subject matter.

These strategies align with my personal teaching philosophy and aspirations to create an interactive and
engaging classroom environment. By implementing collaborative learning and inquiry-based approaches, I
aim to empower students to become active participants in their learning process, fostering a love for learning
and equipping them with essential skills for success in the 21st century.

7. A student is disruptive during class and this is interfering with your ability to teach your lesson to the
other students. �Describe 1-3 Strategies you can use to manage a disruptive student who interferes
with your ability to teach the other students.
When faced with a disruptive student who interferes with my ability to teach other students, I employ the
following strategies:

1. I firmly believe in setting clear expectations for behavior in the classroom. At the beginning of the school
year, I establish a set of rules and consequences that apply to all students. By consistently reminding the
disruptive student of these expectations and consequences, I aim to encourage self-regulation and
responsibility for their actions.

2. I make it a priority to address the disruptive behavior privately and respectfully. By fostering a positive
teacher-student relationship, I hope to create a safe space for open communication and encourage the student
to reflect on their actions.
 3. Recognizing that every student is unique, I employ individualized strategies to manage disruptive
behavior. This may involve providing additional support, modifying assignments, or offering alternative
methods of engagement. By tailoring my approach to the specific needs of the student, I strive to promote
their success and minimize disruptions for the rest of the class.

These strategies reflect my approach to managing disruptive behavior. By establishing clear expectations,
addressing the issue privately and respectfully, and implementing individualized strategies, I aim to create a
positive and conducive learning environment for all students, while supporting the disruptive student in their
personal and academic growth.

8. What is your teaching philosophy?

I firmly believe that every learner is special and unique. Each student brings their own strengths, interests,
and experiences to the classroom.

As an educator, I strive to honor and celebrate the individuality of each student. I recognize that they have
different learning styles, abilities, and needs.

By embracing the uniqueness of every learner, I create a classroom environment that fosters inclusivity and
supports their personal and academic growth. I tailor my teaching approaches, instructional materials, and
assessments to accommodate diverse learning needs.

I also encourage students to express their ideas, share their perspectives, and collaborate with their peers. I
believe that by valuing and respecting their individuality, I can help them discover their full potential and
become confident, lifelong learners.

9. What are the 3 important things to know about your students

When it comes to understanding my students, there are three important things I strive to know:

1. I believe that recognizing and nurturing each student's unique strengths and interests is crucial for their
engagement and success. By getting to know their passions, talents, and areas of expertise, I can tailor my
teaching to their individual needs and provide opportunities for them to shine.

2. Every student has their preferred way of learning. Understanding their learning styles, whether they are
visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learners, allows me to adapt my instructional strategies and materials to cater
to their needs. This helps create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

3. Each student brings their background and experiences to the classroom. By learning about their cultural
heritage, family dynamics, and life experiences, I can foster a sense of belonging and create a supportive
classroom community. This knowledge also helps me make connections between their prior knowledge and
new concepts, enhancing their learning experience.

These three aspects of understanding my students form the foundation of my teaching approach. By valuing
their strengths and interests, accommodating their learning styles, and acknowledging their personal
backgrounds, I aim to create a learning environment that is personalized, inclusive, and conducive to their
growth and success.

10. What is your motivation to become a teacher?

My motivation to become a teacher stems from my deep passion for making a positive
impact on the lives of others. I believe that education has the power to transform lives and
shape the future.

Growing up, I had teachers who inspired and guided me, instilling a love for learning and
empowering me to reach my full potential. Their dedication and impact on my life ignited
a desire within me to pay it forward and become a source of inspiration for others.

As a teacher, I am driven by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my

students. I find immense joy in witnessing their growth, witnessing the moment when
they grasp a new concept or overcome a challenge. Being able to cultivate a love for
learning, foster critical thinking, and empower students to become lifelong learners is my
ultimate motivation.