RESULTS of

Summer Institute for Future Teachers (SIFT) Alumni Survey

 

As a member of the SIFT alumni, you are among the 181 students since 1997 who have expressed their deep dedication to becoming a teacher in Connecticut by giving up a July to study and live the life of a future teacher.  We would like to find out where you are now: Are you still on track to become a teacher? What are your current educational plans?  We would also like you to know about some upcoming events and projects in which you might consider participating.

 

Please take a few minutes to update us on your current studies and activities using this short survey.  We would also very much appreciate your rating of the SIFT program. Please return this survey in the self-addressed, stamped envelope by January 15, 2001.

 

Thank you in advance for your participation in this survey.  Best wishes to you and yours for continuing success and a very happy and healthy holiday season.

 

David Stoloff, Professor and Chair, Education Department, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT 06226. Phone: 860-465-5501, email:stoloffd@easternct.edu

 

Survey of SIFT Alumni

                                                                                    Please circle..

1) I participated in the SIFT program in July        1997       1998          1999        2000 .

     12 (6%) returned survey - address unknown                                                               TOTAL             

                                                                                                                       

                                    respondents by year         8               12              14             23         57    

                                total participants by year        43              42                57                    47        189

                percentage of respondents by year       19%           29%             25%          49%      30%

 

Two of the respondents were in a group of 8 students who attended both in July 1997 and July 1998.  They are included in the 1997 statistics only.

                                               

2) At the time, I was going into my   sophomore       junior       senior year at _____________.

                        Of the respondents  -   3 (5%)         23 (40%)     31 (54%)

                                                                                                                            High School

 

5 were from East Hartford;  3 each from  Enrico Fermi, Middletown, East Haven; 3 provided no response; 2 each from  Bloomfield High, Bulkeley, Glastonbury, Kolbe Cathedral, Lewis S. Mills High School,

Montville, New Milford High School, Windham High School, Naugatuck;  and 1 each from West Haven,

Ansonia High, Branford, Bristol Central High, Bunnell, Central Magnet High, Cheshire, Farmington, Frank

Scott Bunnell, FT Maloney High, Hall High School, Hartford Public School, Howell Cheney Tech,

Plainville, Rockville High School, South Windsor, Thomaston, Tolland, Wamogo, Watkinson, Westbrook

High School, Windsor  - 36 of the state's high schools.

 

3) I am currently studying at ___________________________ .

Of the 26 that responded, 9 are studying at ECSU; 3 at UCONN; 2 at Plymouth State College; and 1 each at Brown University,  College of St. Rose, Howard University, Keene State, Lesley University, Messiah College, Quinnipiac,  Sacred Heart, SCSU, Seton Hall University, US Army, and WCSU.

 

My major is _______________ .

5 indicated Psychology; 3 each for Education and English Education; 2 each for Special Education,

Business/Communications, elementary education, math; 1 each for Art Ed, Biology, Communications,

History, human pathology pre-med, Sociology, Physical Education.

 

I expect to graduate in _____________. 

Of the respondents, 7 in 2002, 8 in 2003, 14 in 2004.

 

After graduation, I plan to ________________________

12 plan to teach, 7 plan to go to graduate school, 3 plan to work in medicine or a hospital, and 1 wants to go

into the Marine Corps, another become an English professor.                                   

 

                                    Please circle

4) I am working             part-time         full-time    as a ________________________________.

 

5 are working full-time as a soldier in the US Army, at a college cafeteria, a day care assistant, a

bookkeeper, in valet parking;  35 work part-time -  16 in sales or as a cashier, 11 as a day care or teaching

assistant, and 1 each as a computer technician, Diet Aide at hospital, research assistant, sports

informationist, and underwriter.

 

5) I am still considering becoming a teacher.  51 (89%) YES  6 (11%) NO, if not, why not?

Psychology interests more, medical profession interest, Marine Corps

 

How well did SIFT prepare you for the skills from the Connecticut Common Core of Teaching?

5=very well prepared           4=prepared            3=neither prepared               2=mostly                                1= didn't                                                                                 nor didn't prepare              didn't prepare                        prepare

 

My experiences in SIFT prepared me to

                                                                                    prepared                   didn't prepare

 

1. understand how students learn and develop.              5     4.24         3          2          1

 

2. understand how students differ in                               5  4.6  4          3          2          1

their approaches to learning.

                                                                                   

3. be proficient in reading, writing,                                  5          4    3.4 3          2          1

and mathematics

 

4. understand the central concepts and skills,                   5    4.1 4         3          2          1

tools of inquiry and structures of the

           discipline(s) I will teach.

 

5. know how to design and deliver instruction.                 5  4.6   4          3          2          1

 

6. recognize the need to vary my                                    5  4.6   4          3          2          1

instructional methods.

 

7. select and/or create learning tasks that make               5   4.5  4          3          2          1

subject matter meaningful to students

 

8. establish and maintain appropriate standards             5   4.5  4          3          2          1

of  behavior and create a positive learning

environment that shows a commitment  to students and their successes.

 

9. create instructional opportunities that support             5     4.24         3          2          1

students’ academic, social and personal development.

 

10. use effective verbal, nonverbal and media                5     4.24         3          2          1

communications techniques, which foster individual and collaborative inquiry.

 

11. employ a variety of instructional strategies               5     4.24         3          2          1

that enable students to think critically, solve problems and demonstrate skills.

 

12. use various assessment techniques to evaluate         5     4.24         3          2          1

student learning and modify instruction as appropriate.

 

13. conduct myself as a professional in                          5          4 3.9    3          2          1

accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility for Teachers

(Section 10-145D-400a of the Connecticut Certification Regulations).

 

14. share responsibility for student achievement             5    4.3 4          3          2          1

            and well being.

 

15. continually engage in self-evaluation of                    5   4.4  4          3          2          1

the effects of my choices and actions on students and the school community.

 

16. seek out opportunities to grow professionally.           5   4.4  4          3          2          1

 

17. serve as a leader in the school community.               5    4.2 4          3          2          1

 

18. demonstrate a commitment to students                     5 4.6    4          3          2          1

and a passion for improving my  profession.

 

 

Thank you very much for completing this survey.  Please return it in the enclosed envelope by January 15, 2001.  We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events.  Happy holidays.

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Opportunities for SIFT Alumni

 

 

1)     The Winter Institute for Future Teachers will take place at ECSU on Saturday, January 20, 2001, from 9 am - 5:30 pm.  Would you be interested in presenting at our fourth annual workshop of future teachers?  Please let us know if you might be interested in

joining Professors Terrell and Aiken in a round table discussion on the teaching profession;

participating in a discussion on "How to transition to college: What I

learned at SIFT that helped me to succeed in college;"

teaching something you have learned; present a lesson plan;  

leading an icebreaker activity; or

suggesting other presentations or activities.

 

2)     Might you be interested in becoming a SIFT Ambassador for your local high school during the Spring Semester 2001?  We are looking for pairs of SIFT Alumni who might recruit future SIFT students in their high schools.  SIFT Ambassadors will work with their high school YES Club counselors, ECSU faculty members, and teacher education students in the preparation of YES Club curriculum and online resources for teaching. 

SIFT Alumni currently in Teacher Education programs are particularly encouraged to apply for a salaried 10-hour/week position. 

 

3)     Might you be interested in participating in a Summer Webpage development Institute for Future Teachers (SWIFT) Program from June 20 - July 3 at ECSU?  This residential program will develop essential skills in webpage design and in making use of the Internet for instructional purposes.  Students will earn 1.5 university credits and reside on campus at ECSU during the weekdays.

SIFT Alumni currently in Teacher Education programs are particularly encouraged to apply for a salaried instructional position in this institute. 

 

 

For further details on these projects, please contact Dr. David Stoloff at 860-465-5501 or via email at stoloffd@easternct.edu .   Thank you.  Happy and healthy holidays and best wishes for a peaceful and fulfilling New Year.