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How To Ace A Teacher Interview

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The days of shutting your door to do your own thing are out, and professional learning communities are in! Go in ready to discuss topics such as common planning, benchmarks, and data analysis. This is a key time to highlight your strengths. Whether you shine in making high-level DOK assessment questions or have a plethora of student-centered activities for your subject, let the interviewers know what you have to offer to your prospective peers and what you hope to glean from collaborating with them.

Questions Asked And Tips For Answering

Whats the best way to prepare for a teacher job interview? You can build self-confidence and reduce the stress of the interview by planning how to respond to questions ahead of time.

Start by asking yourself, What can I do to ensure my candidacy gets careful consideration for a teaching job? How will I make myself stand out? Then marshal examples and anecdotes that will help you to create a memorable impression.

If You Noticed A Child Being Bullied In Your Class How Would You Deal With The Situation

What They Want to Know: Bullying is a huge problem in schools. What steps would you take to recognize, prevent, or respond to it in your classroom?

One of the most important large group activities I do with my class at the beginning of the year is writing our class rules together. I make it a big deal together we come up with and agree to the rules, and we all sign the poster in a commitment to do our best to follow the rules while also helping others to follow the rules throughout the day. One of the most important rules on our poster is to not bully other children.

I use this group activity as an opportunity to talk about what it means to bully, and what to do if a student is bullied or they see someone being bullied. Part of the lesson is making anti-bullying posters that we hang in our classroom and in the halls. If I witnessed bullying, I would talk to all the children involved separately, and I would also revisit our anti-bullying lesson and posters with the whole class.

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What Would You Do If You Suspected Neglect Or Abuse In The Home Of One Of Your Students

What They Want to Know: Teachers walk a delicate line as advocates for their students welfare. Think about how you would respond should you suspect a child has been subject to abuse.

I take my position as a mandated reporter very seriously. I am aware of the districts daily health check system that early childhood teachers are required to implement daily. In my previous position, we also did daily checks when the children would arrive each morning. There was one child in my previous classroom who had odd bruising on both arms and I was not sure if the bruises were from rough play with siblings or friends, or from an adult being physically abusive.

Before I said anything to anyone, I reported what I saw to the principal who guided me through the process to determine the cause of the bruising. Ultimately it was discovered that the bruises were from the childs older sibling. The way my school handled the situation enabled us to ensure the child was in a safe situation without falsely accusing or upsetting the parents.

Think About Your Questions In Advance

Tips to Ace Your Special Education Teacher Interview

Although interviewers often ask more questions than they answer, most expect candidates to show their interest in the job and company by asking informed questions. Try preparing these in advance by reflecting on what you want to know, from corporate culture and organizational goals to opportunities for professional development and growth.

Related: 9 Best Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

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Another Example Of This Scenario

When there is movement within the school. Depending on tenure and contract terms, Ive seen teachers have to reinterview for specialty positions when they are already a shoo-in.

**TAKE HEART!** Even though you likely won’t know this is the case until after the interview, even if you suspect it’s a formality, give it your all. These teaching interviews are not a total loss, as Ive also seen many people in these interviews get called back for later interviews who are subsequently hired on in a different position. Every single opportunity that you have to interact with the administration is an important one. Rockstar teachers will stand out, no matter if they have a job for you right then or not.

Q1: What Are Your Hobbies

Different people lead teaching interviews. Vice principals, principals, or other people from school, people from agencies, anyone!

These people are often good teachers and education administrators, but they arent professional interviewers. Therefore, you can expect to get one or two informal questions as well, something that is not typical for most other job interviews.

Most teachers have adequate qualification. If a few of them meet in an interview, and some are well prepared, the personal preferences will decide the winner at the end .

For this reason, its good to have something in common with your potential colleagues, with the people sitting in the hiring committee.

Try to name more things, more hobbies, and do not forget to stress that teaching is your greatest passion. Show them that you are an open-minded colleague, someone it is a pleasure to spend time with, both in and outside of work.

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What Are The Teachers Standards

The Teachers’ Standards are a set of eight professional standards for teachers. Trainees must meet them to gain Qualified Teacher Status . QTS is the professional qualification for teachers. It is required to teach in state-run primary, secondary and special schools. Being aware of the Teachersâ Standards is one way to show that you are a committed and well-informed candidate.

Introduced in 2012, the Teachers’ Standards are underpinned by the idea that teachers must make the education of children their first concern and that they must demonstrate certain professional attributes and skills. Thatâs why you are required to interview for teacher training courses. You must be suitable for it and you must have the drive and motivation to want to be a teacher.

Teachers come back to these standards throughout their career to review their own progress as teachers. The Teachers’ Standards as published by the Department for Education, are:

1. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils

2. Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils

3. Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge

4. Plan and teach well-structured lessons

5. Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils

6. Make accurate and productive use of assessment

7. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment

8. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities

How Have You Used Or How Will You Use Technology In The Classroom

Top 5 ESL Teacher Interview Questions | Tips to Ace Your Interview!

What They Want to Know: Interactive classroom technologies have transformed learning over the past decade. Be ready to describe your familiarity with common tools like Smart Boards.

In my last classroom, the students used tablets to create and manage their own website, which proved to be a great tool for communicating with parents and allowing them to see the daily activities their kids participated in.

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Describe Your Classroom Management Structure

If youre a veteran teacher, discuss how you handled your classroom in the past. Give specific examples of things that worked the best and why. If youre new, then explain what you learned as a student teacher and how youll map out a plan to run your first classroom. No matter how long youve been teaching, familiarize yourself with the school districts philosophies on classroom management and discipline. Mention how youll incorporate their philosophy and stay true to your own. If youre unable to find out much about the schools policies beforehand, ask the interviewer to explain.

Q4 If Your Schools Principal Were To Walk Into Your Classroom What Would He/she See

A4. Upon first entering my classroom, a principal would see a tidy, uncluttered space. Since, I believe an organized class will reflect in the rooms appearance. There would be decorations on the walls that match up with the current units lessons. Finally, he would see a healthy balance between a formal and relaxed environment, which inspires students to participate. The principal would likely see an engaged class that is ready to learn.

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Read Up On Your Teaching Knowledge

Hiring a candidate for a teaching position is more-often-than-not a time-consuming process which also incurs some cost on both sides â to you, and to the company or organization in question. Thus, it is not unusual that they would perhaps like to briefly test your skills and knowledge to confirm that you do indeed have the competencies, or possess the aptitude to fill the offered teaching role. Do not be surprised if you are asked to explain certain teaching methodologies or concepts, or even provide a brief mock-up teaching session to your interviewer, who will pretend to be a student. Instead, refresh yourself on the skills and knowledge you have learned from your experiences, TEFL or other similar teaching certifications, and show the interviewer that you have what it takes.

Use The Interviewer’s Questions To Tell Your Story

Ten Tips to Ace Your Teacher Interview

Most interviewees don’t do this: Select five aspects of your resume to embed in responses to questions. This is often a key distinction between the candidate who advances and the one who gets the obligatory rejection letter.

To improve your chances for a call-back, review the research you outlined on the school. Pair those with the five highlights on your resume. And begin to craft a story of why these connections exist. Speak not only about what you’ve accomplished, but also what you’d be excited to contribute and learn from in your new setting. Think: You represent the solution to a District’s problem. Make it obvious as to why that is. Far too many candidates stay on the surface, talking only in generalities for this part. Be confident, not shy when connecting these dots for the interviewer.

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Update Your Linkedin Profile

If youre a LinkedIn user, make sure your profile is up to date and matching the info on your resume . This is likely the first place interviewers will seek information on the web from outside of the Teach Away site.

Having a complete LinkedIn profile with projects and recommendations can be a powerful tool during your interview. If the interviewer has web access, you can guide them straight to your projects and references on LinkedIn as part of your answer.

On Portfolios For Teaching Interviews

Every college preparatory program Ive ever known requires that teacher candidates create a portfolio full of lessons, their mission statement, etc. Ive never pulled one of these out during an interview and Ive never witnessed someone pull one out during an interview. Its not a bad thing to have with you if you get stuck. But time is often of the essence and fumbling through a portfolio can take up precious time. Instead, find every opportunity to show your awesome communication skills by explaining different lesson plans, giving an example of parent interactions, and giving a casual but heartfelt impression of your teaching mission statement.

Half of an interview is seeing who you are as a human. Instead of spending precious moments leafing through your portfolio to give an example, use your words, and use your heart.

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Not So Fast There Are A Number Of Steps From The First To The Last And Many Mistakes That Are Made Along The Way

Here are a few pitfalls that will help a teaching candidate land that coveted first job.

  • They don’t prepare for the “interview before the interview”.

  • They don’t prepare for the “interview during the interview”.

  • They don’t prepare for the “interview after the interview”

Fortunately, I’ve made many mistakes. I’ve seen the mistakes that are made, through hundreds of interviews I’ve conducted. And, I’ve hired teachers who have aced these three interview phases. The good news is, they can be learned, and you too will ace the interview.

Here’s how to “ace the interview”:

How To Ace Your Next Interview: Tips And Examples

How Do I ACE My Teaching Interview? – I Teach Teachers #33 February 12, 2020

Whether you are applying for an entry-level position or a senior role, you will probably have to interview with a potential employer before receiving a job offer. Since a job interview gives you a chance to show your qualifications and make a good impression on the hiring team, you will want to perform at your best during this important meeting. In this article, we discuss how to ace an interview, including preparation tips for common job interview questions.

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What According To You Is Discipline How Do You Ensure Discipline In Your Classroom

A disciplined classroom often paves way to effective learning and as a teacher, it is important to impart a lot more than textbook knowledge to your students. This question is intended to understand the kind of values that you would inculcate in your students.

How to answer: Discipline comes with respect. When students respect the teacher, their classmates, and themselves, they start becoming more disciplined about life. Being strict and harsh with students is not the only way or rather not the right way to bring in discipline. Open conversations and understanding can bring in discipline.

Finally Is There Anything You’d Like To Ask Us

This would be a good time to find out about the school’s induction process if it hasn’t yet been mentioned – this is particularly important if you are an NQT. Who will mentor and support you?

Prepare a couple of questions to ask at the end of the interview. Some of the best types of questions focus on processes in the school, such as:

  • How is PSHE delivered?
  • What is your vision for the future of the school?
  • What key developments do you have planned?

With some advance planning, preparing and practicing of your answers, you’ll be able to handle yourself confidently. Think clearly and leave the interview knowing you’ve told them all they need to know.

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Tips For Preparing For A Teacher Interview

If you want to get a teaching job, especially if its highly competitive, you need to know how to ace the interview process. Here are a few overall interview tips you can use to prepare.

  • Go over your resume before going into the interview.
  • Reread the job description to know what the hiring manager is looking for.
  • Research the school, including research online at the schools website and social media pages, as well as potentially going to the school and talking to other teachers currently employed there.
  • Create a portfolio to show off your skills, including past lesson plans, information about your teaching style, and quizzes.Practice using mock interviews.

If youre looking to get a teaching position thats more competitive, such as a college-level professor or a teacher at a very prestigious high school, then youll want to do more of these things to prepare for the interview.

Keep It Simple And Plan Ahead

How to Ace Your Next Teaching Interview

When it comes to planning, she continues, its best to keep it simple. Be clear about what you want the pupils to achieve in your session and keep activities to the point and pitched appropriately. If you can show that they can do something at the end they could not at the start, you are on to a winner. However, showing deeper understanding or revision is fine if you make it clear that was your intention.

Ideally, says Dixon, you should use a lesson that you know well. You need to show your teaching style. Have a flexible lesson that you know inside out, backwards and forwards something that you can easily differentiate on the fly if you find youre pitching too high or too low.

Next, says Ellis-Gage, ensure you have everything you require for the lesson. Dont assume a school will have the things you need to hand. If you cant provide them yourself, contact the school beforehand to ask for them to be put out ready.

You should also plan for teaching assistants, she adds. Everyone knows that a teachers best friend is their teaching assistant, so get in their good books by having a clear role in your planning for any support staff in the class. They often get asked questions after the lesson observations by leadership, so be polite and friendly.

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What The Interviewer Wants To Know

School principals and any other members of a hiring committee craft the questions they ask in order to determine whether you will be a good fit for their school as well as a champion for the policies established by their school district.

Learn as much as you can about the schools you are applying to so that youll be better able to anticipate the sort of questions youll be asked about your teaching philosophy and classroom management style.

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Tips For Interview Preparation And Participation

Here are some simple tip for interview preparation and participation as a teacher:

  • Be on time. Show an employer you value their time and the opportunity by arriving to an interview on time or early, if possible.

  • Dress appropriately. Display your professionalism with appropriate interview attire. For teachers, business attire can be a good choice.

  • Be honest. Honesty can help build trust between you and the interviewer, which can be critical for future relationships. Be honest with your answers.

  • Prepare ahead of time. Prepping for an interview can allow you more time to formulate the best responses and sound more confident. Prepare at least a day ahead of time.

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