Revised 2010

Dole Center for Teacher Education

Southwestern College
Graduate Questions Aligned with Dispositions
Learner Name: Pam Gottsponer

Date: April 10, 2016

Please write in the space provided.

1. When the teacher is faced with a situation where he/she must find a creative
solution, how does he/she respond to the need?
Pam has a very analytical mind. Whenever she is faced with problematic situations, she
carefully works through the issues involved, weighs her options, consults with others if
necessary, and then determines the best course. I have seen Pam work very hard to arrive
at the best response, taking into account the effect of the response on those involved.
2. When the teachers life or an event does not go according to plan, how does
s/he adapt?
Pam will first work to determine the root cause of why things didnt go as planned, and
then make alternative decisions based on what she has seen and learned. Pam can
certainly think outside the box; she is flexible and organized, and always ready to adapt
to changing circumstances. Pam understands that in real life, these things happen.
3. Define high quality work and then rate the teacher.
Pam is a clinical laboratory professional and surveyor. High quality work in this context
means performing thorough, objective, accurate and comprehensive laboratory surveys;
providing constructive analyses of the laboratorys operation and deficiencies, and
suggesting relevant resources to address these deficiencies. Her surveys are of the
highest quality, with frequent, positive, laboratory feedback and praise. Her inter-rater
reliability is among the highest in the organization.
4. What actions has the teacher taken recently to help others?
Pams approach to surveying (inspecting) laboratories goes well beyond performing the
basic survey to uncover operational and organizational deficiencies. During the
summation conferences she discusses each deficiency, explaining what they mean, and
counseling constructive approaches to remedy these. She also suggests helpful websites
for accessing relevant resource material, speaking with technical advisors, and learning
about educational opportunities to help these laboratories develop a culture of quality
and view their survey as a learning experience regardless of outcome.
5. If the teacher meets someone new who is not like her/him, what does the
teacher do?
By its very nature, Pams work means extensive travel, and working with new people for
each inspection assignment. Pam is constantly working with people at every level of
education from High School diploma to professional degrees. She works with people of
all races, religions, nationalities and beliefs. Pam has traveled internationally.
Uniformly, her work has garnered positive feedback in terms of her professionalism, and

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winning personality. She is at ease regardless of whom she works with, and treats
everyone as an individual.
6. When someone disagrees with the teacher how does s/he resolve the
disagreement?
Pam has excellent listening skills, and respects all opinions. In a work environment,
Pam willingly discusses all issues of disagreement in an effort to find common
understanding. On a personal level, Pam respects others opinions, but if she feels
strongly about her own beliefs, she will calmly agree to disagree. Good relations are
thus maintained.
7. When someone offers the teacher feedback on something just completed,
what is the response? What does s/he do when feedback is negative but
positive feedback was expected?
Pam welcomes all feedback. In fact, she considers feedback a vital part of her ongoing
learning experience. Whether positive or negative, Pam feels that she can use the
information to improve her performance. Negative feedback only results in Pam wanting
to know more about the reasons and perceptions behind it, so she can use it to improve.
Pam actively solicits feedback for these very reasons. Pam does not dote on positive
feedback, but welcomes it as encouragement.
8. Explain a situation when the teacher made the right, honest, and ethical
decision.
When Pam surveys laboratories, she has to decide how serious the deficiencies are; to
what degree they impact the quality of patient care. She has to decide the level and
number of citations to give, whether to bring these laboratories to STAT committee (a
more severe type of accounting that can cost the laboratory added expenses and time) or
even designate the lab as a Risk of Harm facility that might have to be considered for
shut down. The latter can result is permanent closure and loss of jobs. Pam makes each
decision based on an honest assessment of the quality of work performed and patient care
given. I have known Pam for many years and I have seen her decisions made at all
levels based on what is right, and ethical.
9. Other than working on a masters degree, what steps are being taken by the
teacher to improve?
Pam is always involved in continuing professional education. From monthly technical
updates, to ongoing online learning, to taking competency assessments and validation
surveys. Pam also attends symposiums and participates in webinars regularly. She does
not regard learning as an activity separate from her work; it is an integral part of her
work. I have attended workshops with Pam where we had discussions continue about
the content of these even hours after the workshops were over.
Interviewers: Irwin Z Rothenberg
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