What Approach Or Strategy Do You Use To Learn New Information
What They Want to Know: This question addresses whether you consciously think about individual learning styles both your own and those of your students.
I find I learn new material best by writing down notes as I read or as I am listening to someone giving a lecture. The process of writing down the important details works in two ways: first, it helps me absorb and think carefully about the new information and second, my notes serve as a study guide that I can reference going forward.
How Do You Answer Safeguarding Interview Questions
How Do You Prepare For Student Teaching
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What Are The Core Skills And Qualities That Pupils Look For In Teachers
Match the skills you have with those you know the school are looking for, as outlined in the job description or person specification. Sought after key skills in teaching interviews include:
- passion for teaching/the subject
- a range of teaching methods
- an ability to hold the attention of the class
- empathy
- encouraging children to think rather than being told.
Tell your interviewers about the qualities you have which they’re looking for. This isn’t the time to be modest – talk positively about your achievements, thinking carefully about the words you use. For example, use the term assertive as opposed to bossy, or calm instead of laidback.
Focus on what you’ll bring to their school and how your skills will benefit them.
Take A Picture Portfolio To Your Teaching Interview
You can show a lot of personality and have something extra to set you apart at your teaching interview with a picture portfolio.
I am a super visual person and have tons of pictures of my classroom due to the blog, so I decided a picture portfolio with some fast facts about me would do the trick. I always make at least 3 color copies of the picture portfolio to take and leave at interviews . If youre super excited about a position you can also email these as a PDF to the principal/contact person when the job is listed. This is one thing that can set you apart and its not too hard to put together. Not everyone will like it, but you only need one person to find it engaging and call you back.
Another plus about having this with you at the interview is you can work it in to the curriculum questions you are given. I used the writing page to show my principal/interview committee when I was asked a question about what I would change about their current writing curriculum. I was so happy I had the pictures to back up my thoughts.
All of the photo pages have been created in PowerPoint and then saved as a PDF before printing. If you save them as a PDF, then the document can be easily sent by email to prospective principals or teammates.
If youre looking for more job hunt resources, here are some great blog posts that helped in my own job search.
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A Guide On What To Bring To A Teaching Interview
A teaching job interview is your opportunity to expand on your experience as an educator and further explain your skills and teaching philosophy. It’s important to prepare before your interview to ensure the discussion is a success. Preparing for your interview typically involves researching the school and district and developing answers to common interview questions, but it may also include learning what to bring to your interview. In this article, we discuss what to bring to your teaching interview and why you should bring each of these items.
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Ask For Informational Interviews With Contacts
As a teacher, you may have contacts at the school youre interviewing with from school or educational groups. If theyre willing, it may help to sit down with them to ask questions about the school and seek advice about how to approach the interview. You might also learn about whether you feel the school would be a good fit for you as well.
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Safeguarding And Equal Opportunities
In any teaching interview there is a question about safeguarding, which may take the form of any of the following:
- What is a teacher’s responsibility in keeping children safe?
- Tell us how you dealt with a safeguarding issue in school.
- What would you do if a child disclosed a personal issue?
Prepare for this by reading a safeguarding policy – preferably for the school you’re applying to or the school you’re at.
You’re also likely to be asked a question about equal opportunities, such as:
- What does the term ‘equal opportunities’ mean to you?
- How would you approach teaching a class of mixed-ability pupils?
- What is your motivation for working in special education?
Approach any of these by demonstrating that you understand the issue at hand. Be honest – if you haven’t been in that situation say so, but talk about what you would do if you were.
Questions About Teaching Experience And Background
These questions help an interviewer evaluate your qualifications for the position and whether your values match with those of the institution:
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What do you like most about teaching?
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What do you dislike most about teaching?
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What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing todays education system?
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Describe your teaching style.
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How would you organize this classroom?
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How do you manage your teaching duties?
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What is the greatest success you’ve had with teaching?
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What do you think is the greatest challenge facing students today?
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What is the greatest challenge facing teachers today?
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What qualities make a great teacher?
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Describe your worst teaching day. What did you learn from the experience?
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How do you motivate your students to become active learners in your classroom?
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The In Person Teaching Interview:
For every question that deals with the classroom, think of a student you have had in the past that demonstrates that particular part of teaching. For example, instead of simply talking about working with struggling readers generally, say something about your classroom practices and then add the student example like: One example from my own classroom was when I helped Terra who was unable to find motivating just right books by doing some emergent publishing. We spent 15 minutes a day during the literacy block typing up her own stories as she told them to me aloud. She loved her personalized stories and used these as a supplement to her just right texts. She also used them during our writers workshop block. This was one way Ive tried to individualize instruction for one of my struggling readers.
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.
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How Would You Engage A Reluctant Student
What They Want to Know: This question is meant to prompt discussion about how you motivate students with different learning styles.
If a student seems reluctant to participate during a specific subject, I would use my experience working with different types of learners and adjust my teaching strategies to engage the student in a way that they would feel more comfortable to participate. This may be by having the student work with a partner, or creating my lessons around a topic that the student may be more likely to be interested in.
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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Questions You Should Prepare For
1. Why did you decide to become a teacher? Prepare a brief professional mission statement that explains not merely how you want to change students lives but also how your own life is enriched by being a teacher. Also, look up the schools vision statement and reference how your teaching will reflect those goals.
2. How would you handle a student who is constantly disruptive or defiant? Instead of focusing on how you would react, explain the ways you approach classroom management proactively so that small misbehaviors rarely become chronic or severe. Here are eight ways to maintain student cooperation and courtesy. If the interviewers press you on the original question, this advice on students with oppositional defiant disorder may help.
3. How do you cultivate positive relationships with your students and create a sense of class community? Recount a time you bonded with a student who needed some extra attention and understanding. Show your concern for the emotional well-being of the most vulnerable students and describe your plan for developing students social and emotional learning skills. Also explain how you create a sense of empathy and inclusion among your students so classmates support each other on both a personal and academic level.
6. Do you incorporate collaborative and project-based learning? Discuss the difference between cooperative and collaborative learning, and if you have implemented PBL, describe a specific assignment your students worked on.
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The Best Way To Respond:
Be sure to avoid giving an obvious answer such as the fact that summer vacations are longer than most professions. Aim to show how much you truly love teaching, perhaps by giving examples with your friends and family. Giving some examples of your passion for children is also a great addition, or even talking about a teacher you once had that inspired you.
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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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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What To Bring To A Teaching Job Interview
Determining what to bring to a teaching interview is an important aspect of interview prep. It’s important for teachers to bring a variety of materials. This includes some materials that are standard for most interviews and other materials that are more specific to teaching.
Here are some of the specific materials to bring with you to your teacher interview:
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Bringing These Items To Your Next Teacher Interview Will Help To Land A Job Offer
Current Resume Multiple Copies
If you need to distribute them to the panel, you should have enough to do this. Most likely, they will have a copy, but they may be testing you to see if you are prepared. Even if they already have a copy of your resume, be sure to ask if they would like a copy when you introduce yourself. That way, you can still demonstrate that you came prepared even if they already have your information in front of them.
Letter of Intent/Cover Letter Your Submitted
Bring these with copies of your resume if the interview panel doesnt have a copy of them. If you submitted a document, like a cover letter, a list of employment references, or a reference letter from a former colleague or supervisor, its smart to have a copy on hand just if your committee wants an extra copy.
Philosophy of Education Statement
Although you may have submitted this with the rest of your application package, it is always good to come prepared with extra copies. Even if you have handed it in, the interviewer may ask you for an extra copy or ask you a question regarding your teaching philosophy. Having a copy handy will help if you need to refer to it.
Copies of Degrees, Transcripts, Licenses, and Certifications
All of these are a vital group of documents to bring with you to the interview. You need to back up all the claims you make on your resume regarding your education and qualifications.
A Listing of Professional Development Courses Taken
Copies of Letters of Recommendation
What I Look For In A Teacher Candidate: Tips For Success
by Suzanne Capek Tingley, Veteran Educator, M.A. Degree
Step ahead of the rest with this experienced advice from a former school principal.
Teacher candidate Maya R. knew there would be a lot of applications for the handful of openings at the elementary school she was applying to, and she wanted to be sure hers stood out. So she printed her resume and cover letter on bright yellow paper that had a border of children’s handprints in red, blue, and green. Then she attached a full-length picture of herself as a bridesmaid smiling broadly because she had just caught the bouquet. Her application stood out all rightbut not exactly in the way she had hoped!
Further Reading: Advice for New Teacher Graduates: Making Your Resume Stand Out
Maya might have been a terrific classroom teacher, but her application left me questioning her judgment. A teacher candidate who submits materials that don’t have a professional look is often passed over for an interview. And a candidate who does get an interview but isn’t sufficiently prepared often doesn’t get hired. As a school administrator, I have selected, interviewed, and hired many teachers, so if you’re looking for a job, you might be interested in knowing what administrators usually look for in a candidate.
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Leave The Textbook Answers In The Textbooks
Lets be realistic you werent the first person sitting on that side of the table today.
Youre up against dozens of other candidates who just finished a degree and initial teacher training program substantially similar to the one you did, studying the same concepts out of the same textbooks. Those textbooks are what all those other interviews have been cribbing from, and if you are rolling out the same list of pedagogical buzzwords that the last twenty candidates used, all you are going to get are yawns.
If they heard it all before, they dont need to hear it again.
So stay away from the buzzwords, and when you do use them, tie them to real-world experiences you can talk about in your classrooms. Vague theoretical concepts dont land teaching jobs. Real, demonstrated expertise does. You need to have examples that show you have been able not only to absorb all those theories and pedagogical techniques in college, but also that youve been able to translate them into real-world results like better student outcomes and fewer disciplinary interventions.
