Hey a few weeks ago I posted a mesage about my current job situation and feeling the need to get out of my current job (grade one teacher Catholic Primary School). Well since then i have applied for several jobs and have 2 interviews (Mon and Wed next week). I need all your help with suggestions of what to do or say in the interviews/ questions I should ask. The only interviews I have had before have been when I was a graduate straight out of Uni 3 years ago. The schools are both in good areas and i'm really keen to get a job there. Any suggestions would be great.
p.s there is another girl at my current school who also has interviews at this school for the same job.
Anyway, thanks in anticipation for any help or suggestions you can give me.
I would check to see if the schools you are interviewing at have websites. You can learn a lot about the schools' objectives and classrooms from those, and you can make a positive reference to the school because you have researched them. If you have experience with technology, I would highlight how you have used it. I would think about how I would organize a classroom, and what my discipline policy would be. I would also think about how I would differentiate instruction for various levels in my classroom.
I put teaching interview questions into a search engine and have copied and pasted some for u. Hope these help good luck for your interview.
Here goes:
Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Do you consider yourself a risk taker? (Give an example to back up your answer.)
Are you a positive and energetic person? (Give an example to back up your answer.)
If a student said she thought you were the worst teacher she ever had, what would you say?
If I were your principal and we were setting goals for next year, what would they be?
How would you rank these in importance and why? Planning, discipline, methods, evaluation.
If a student came to you and said, "None of the other students like me," what would you tell him/her?
How do you give your students recognition? Do you think a student can have too much recognition?
How do you encourage students to learn? Can a student be forced to learn?
How do you handle a child who seems gifted, but is a discipline problem?
How do you feel about computers in the classroom?
What specialised programs are you passionate about?
How do you establish authority/discipline? What do you do when a discipline problem arises?
What do you like most/dislike most about teaching?
How do you feel about noise in the classroom? How do you handle noise in the classroom?
How would you handle making a difficult phone call to a parent?
How do you handle difficult work colleagues?
What are your greatest strengths?
What is one of your weaknesses?
Out of school hours what do you do sporting wise?
How regularly do you attend church?
What can you bring to our school that another applicant will not?
What opportunities would you take to present students with extra help?
Describe how you would get parents involved in the learning process?
How do you communicate to a parent how a student is performing?
You disagree with the principal's method of dealing with a situation – what would you do?
A student confides in you and provides information to indicate they are victim to abuse – what would you do?
A parent is furious with you after a parent/teacher interview – what would you do?
Bring tons of resumes and your portfolio. Be prepared if asked to show one highlight or share one thing that makes you special-they do not want to see the entire portfolio.
Send a thank you email or letter to the school that interviewed you.
Prepare a short statement about yourself to start the interview with. Ex. where u went to school, majors, hobbies, if you are the oldest or youngest child. This just gives them a bit about you.
Make a list of key phrases that are positive statements about specific strengths you have. Even if you are NOT asked that
question, be sure to weave those phrases into your replies to other questions.
Lastly, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ill keep my fingers crossed for you. I hope these tips help ya out! :-)
Hi Liv, I am a principal in Australia. Some of the questions I ask are:
Principals look for a desire to add to the school community. I may ask: What special talents do you bring to our school? Could you start a writing program or coach a sport?
Bring evidence of letters you've written home that describe projects you've designed. I may ask: How do you communicate with parents?
Show that you are aware of the range of learning styles and differences, and be specific about how you address that. I may ask: How do you reach all learners?
As a principal I applaud people who can pinpoint what went wrong. I may ask: Recall a teaching experience that went poorly. What would you do differently?
Keep up with trends and show that you are a learner. As as principal I may ask: What are you reading professionally?
Describe a day in your classroom. This gives me an insight into a teacher's methods, practice, and classroom management techniques.
I need to know how teachers use assessment to guide instruction. I may ask: How do you know your students are learning?
Do you have any questions for us? Comment on what you've seen in the halls, Do ask about staff development opportunities and teaching materials; don't ask about salary or sick days.
And when you get home, send a thank-you note! Every teacher I've ever hired has dropped me a note. It shows you care.
Goodluck for your interviews, please let us know how you go.
What do principals look for? Here are some websites that may help goodluck.
http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4141
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin107.shtml
The last interview I had, I felt confidence in my answers really helped. Don't be a "know it all", but just be passionate with your answers. Be prepared to answer what you think your strengths and weaknesses are. When you give your weakness, be sure to tell how you are working to overcome it. Be sure to show through your actions and words that you love children and teaching.
Don't forget to discuss how you are growing in your profession--professional development, reading of magazines, journals, etc.
Good luck!
Look up information about the school and talk about some of those things in your interview.
I see you use ... - I have experience in that as well -
I noticed your handbook online and ...
I checked out your recent scores through the state and am impressed with...
It's impressive that you've done the research and it says that you really want to be there and you know why!
Congratulations Liv on getting invited to an interview, that means they are interested in you. Im sure by now they have rung your references so they have done their research now its time for you to do yours. Find out if they have a website, read everything you can about them. Knowing everything about them lets you support your answers with things they do at their school that u already do. You may also like to ask for a school tour, these make you look very keen as you walk through the school comment on the wonderful feel of the school and the things they have displayed and how they support the things you already do. Goodluck. ps be your self and try and stay calm.
Be Physically Prepared
Be sure "paperwork" is in order (resume, credentials, application form.) Be aware of the importance of personal appearance. Always dress "up", never dress "down". Be well rested and fresh. Arrive five to ten minutes early to relax.
Know the Employer
Be clear of the time, date and location of the interview, as well as the interviewer's name.
Practice and Use Good Communication Skills
Speak clearly and concisely. Make eye contact-- this helps to project confidence. Be aware of your body language-- SIT UP STRAIGHT! Be sure to listen-- if you are talking too much you may miss cues from the interviewer. Think about a question before answering. Don't be afraid of long pauses. Project self-confidence, enthusiasm, and interest. You are selling yourself; this will be your one chance to do that.
Practice Specific Questions
Practice answers to typically asked interview questions OUT LOUD.
Participate actively in the interview.
Ask questions. Describe your interests, career goals and special skills. Take time to give thoughtful answers. Relate events in an organized manner: state the event, what action you took, and the outcome.
Be Yourself
Preparation will help to ease your anxiety. Be honest, frank and sincere. Take a deep breath and relax.
Be Positive
Don't speak negatively about past experienes. Be honest if a situation was not ideal. This will demonstrate you can learn from difficult situations.
When do you hope to reach a decision as to whom the successful candidate will be?
I have always been successful with getting parents involved in the classroom, how active are parents at this school?
I am well-versed at integrating computer technology into the classroom, what kind of resources does the school have available?
Do teachers work in teams? If so, how is this organized?
I consider myself a life-long learner, what professional development opportunities will be available?
What is the student/teacher ratio?
What is the class sizes average?
I have been instrumental in developing new programs in previous positions I have held. Will the school be implementing any new programs this year, or require input to develop programs already in place?
Be sure you don't overwhelm the interviewer with questions—three or four questions is usually sufficient.
It's not the questions you ask that make for a successful interview but the attention you pay to answering the questions you receive. Try to answer in detail and refer to your teaching portfolio.
Read the school policies and vision statements. Find out if they are into literacy programs like thrass, letterland, spalding etc. Find out if they do inquiry learning and other things like these. Use your knowledge of their documents to answer your comments. Goodluck
Do you know what levels you are interviewing for? If so, make concrete examples in your portfolio to display your knowledge in this area and use this as a tool when answering questions for example, on unit of study i did was on... here is an example of the unit and learning centres i created. Good luck
Ask them about their values/character education programs.
Ask them about their school-wide discipline policy. Can you create your own discipline in the calssroom or do you have to 'fall in' with what is there?
Confidence does shine through and so does lack of --- Try to get as many positive experiences under your belt as possible and think of them when interviewing or before going in for the inquisition.
It is very TOUGH!!!! These interviews, but you have to suck it up and do it and pray that what turns out will be the best for you.
Good luck to you! Smile as you walk in and smile when you leave, thank them for their consideration. Don't ramble in your answers.
Hi Liv, I have been following your situation very closely (your recent posts) cos i too have been in a similiar situation. Is this one of the same colleagues that has been mean to you? I think you need to call a meeting with the principal there to get all the feelings out in the air so its finished. Its sad you have to leave a school cos of this behaviour. When I was having conflict with my colleagues a friend emailed me this site I hope it helps you: http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=4286
Goodluck with your interviews I am hoping and praying you get them so you dont have to deal with the conflict anymore. All the best....
I would like to wish you all the best of luck with these interviews. I have been following both posts carefully myself. I feel your pain and hope you are not running away from a situation that the admin staff should be stopping. Good luck with which ever way things pan out.
Hi Liv, after all the useful advice I have read i dont think i need to offer you anymore. I hope you used the info and nailed the interviews. Have you heard if you have the jobs yet? Please keep us loyal proteachers in the know.
I recall your last post was about workplace conflict I finally found the article i tried to forward to u that didnt work. So here goes this time:
STEP 1: Decide whether you want to confront the person who is bothering you. It is usually better to air grievances in the open than to let them fester.
STEP 2: Speak to the other person calmly, politely and rationally. Focus on the situation and facts, avoiding gossip and personal attacks.
STEP 3: Be careful not to express hostility in your posture, facial expression or tone. Be assertive without being aggressive.
STEP 4: Listen to the other person carefully: What is she trying to say? Be sure you understand her position.
STEP 5: Express interest in what the other person is saying. You can acknowledge her ideas without necessarily agreeing or submitting. Saying, "I understand that you feel this way. Here's how I feel..." acknowledges both positions.
STEP 6: Communicate clearly what you want, offering positive suggestions and recommendations. Be willing to be flexible.
STEP 7: Speak to your supervisor if a problem with a difficult co-worker seriously threatens your work, but avoid whining.
10-27-2006, 04:27 AM
Simple View
