| It's natural for people to get nervous before and during | | | | If a principal asks you how you use differentiation, will |
| a big interview. Sure, you know you're a good teacher. | | | | you be able to tell him/her? Or will you be the |
| You've graduated from college with a teaching degree | | | | candidate that asks, "What do you mean?" If you're |
| and you've worked with students in the past. So, WHY | | | | asked how you meet the needs of a student with an |
| are you nervous? | | | | IEP, will you be the candidate with the |
| It's those pesky little questions, isn't it? If you're like | | | | deer-in-the-headlights look? |
| most people, you're probably afraid they'll ask you a | | | | Educational jargon often trips up candidates. It's |
| difficult question and you'll be giving them a blank look. | | | | embarrassing for candidates at an interview to admit |
| If the questions don't make you nervous, maybe it's the | | | | that they're not familiar with a word or phrase used, |
| vocabulary that scares you. Sometimes interviewers | | | | yet if they don't ask for clarification, they risk giving an |
| like to throw out intimidating jargon-- those big words | | | | answer that doesn't make sense. |
| you used to see in college textbooks. You might be | | | | Here's what you do: make a list of common |
| afraid you won't know how to answer a question | | | | educational buzzwords on index cards. (Differentiation. |
| about differentiation, IEPs, ELL students, or block | | | | IEP. ELL. Block scheduling. Looping. Four Block Writing. |
| scheduling. | | | | Everyday Mathematics. And so on...) |
| Or, maybe you know the vocabulary well, and you're | | | | Then, check to see how many of the words you |
| not afraid of the questions. Are you fearful that you | | | | know. One the back of each index card, define each |
| will not be able to prove that you're a successful | | | | word. Also, in one sentence, relate each vocabulary |
| teacher? Do you have trouble putting yourself up on a | | | | word to your teaching. Look up any words you don't |
| pedestal and showing off your successes? | | | | know. |
| Well, the good news is that all three of these fears | | | | Interview Preparation Step #3: |
| can be overcome if you prepare yourself well for your | | | | Assemble a Teaching Portfolio |
| next interview. | | | | Your teaching portfolio is your professional brag book. |
| Your nervousness is natural. But the amount of stress | | | | Find lots of evidence of your teaching (or student |
| you have to endure can be minimized. How? Follow | | | | teaching) experiences, and assemble it all in one big, fat |
| the steps below to prepare and practice for your next | | | | binder. It should be chock-full of student work samples, |
| teaching interview. | | | | lesson plans, parent newsletters, and philosophy |
| Interview Preparation Step #1: | | | | statements. Be sure you have a type-written |
| Predict what the questions will be and prepare your | | | | table-of-contents and dividing tabs so you can easily |
| answers | | | | find information at an interview. |
| The Internet is filled with sample teacher interview | | | | When you're at an interview table, don't wait for an |
| questions. It's pretty much guaranteed that they'll ask | | | | interviewer to ask to see your portfolio. Instead, be |
| you about your classroom discipline plan, your ability to | | | | ready to pull out examples of your work whenever |
| work with special education students, your favorite | | | | something in your portfolio relates to something being |
| lessons, your strengths, and your weaknesses. As you | | | | asked. Interviewers will be impressed by your |
| research sample interview questions. Write them | | | | organization and preparation. Even more importantly, |
| down or print them out. | | | | you'll be PROVING that you're an effective teacher, |
| Sometimes you'll have to think beyond the Internet, | | | | rather than just TELLING them. |
| though. Questions that relate to your specific | | | | Interview Preparation Resource |
| age-group or subject may be more difficult to find. Still, | | | | Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams! is |
| if you use some basic logic, you can predict what will | | | | an eBook that can help you with each of the steps |
| be asked. Think to yourself: "If I were hiring someone | | | | above. |
| for this position, what would I ask?" If you teach middle | | | | Step #1: Predict what the questions will be and prepare |
| school English, for example, common sense should tell | | | | your answers. |
| you that they'll ask you how you teach writing. If you | | | | The eBook features 50 common teacher interview |
| teach high school calculus, chances are good they'll | | | | questions. It also gives you advice for answering each |
| ask you why Calculus is important for high school | | | | question. |
| students. | | | | Step #2: Make a list of popular education buzzwords |
| When you have a list of questions, sit down any try to | | | | and acronyms. |
| plan your answer for each. If you have a close friend | | | | The eBook features an entire chapter dedicated to |
| or family member in education, you might want to | | | | terminology and buzzwords that might be used at a |
| discuss your answers with them. Oftentimes, they will | | | | teacher interview. |
| have ideas or suggestions that will help you focus your | | | | Step #3: Assemble a teaching portfolio |
| thoughts. No matter how you prepare, simply having an | | | | The eBook also features a chapter on teaching |
| idea of how you will answer common questions will | | | | portfolios. It tells you exactly what to include and |
| make you a more confident candidate at the interview | | | | teaches you how to effectively use your portfolio at |
| table. | | | | an interview. |
| Interview Preparation Step #2: | | | | If you haven't already, download a copy of Guide to |
| Make a list of popular education buzzwords and | | | | Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams! today. If |
| acronyms... and study them. | | | | you're looking for a teaching job, this really is a |
| What terminology might be used during the interview? | | | | must-have book. |