1. From Teacher Candidate to
Teacher/TTOC
Applications, Interviews &
Employment
Michael Kee, District Principal – Human Resources

2. Technology back in the day….

3. Myths
• You only interview & hire student
teachers who did their practicum in
North Vancouver.
• What I did in my B.Ed. courses doesn’t
matter. When I get out on practicum/the
real world I can do what I want.

4. Practicum
Your application starts with your
practicum.

5. Practicum

6. Practicum

7. Practicum
• Teacher Regulation Branch Standards
• BCTF Code of Ethics
• School District Employee Code of Conduct
• School Code of Conduct

8. Practicum
S.A.’s and F.A.’s
The most important resources during your
practicum.

9. Practicum
• 4 Pillars - CIA/SEL
– (Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment,
Social Emotional Learning)
• Classroom Management, Rapport,
Relationships, Connections
 How to get the More out of your Practicum
Experience
 Dear Practicum Student

10. Practicum
 Autonomy in Teacher Education? (By @chriswejr)

11. Practicum
• What do I bring to the table?
• How will I get involved?
• Peers as colleagues vs. adversaries

12. Practicum
Reputations
“Easy to get, hard to lose”

13. Practicum
Don’t Burn Bridges

14. Application Process
1. Application Received
2. Initial Review
 Recommendation
3. Contact/Review References
 Recommendation

15. Application Process
4. Comprehensive Screening
 Recommendation
5. Interview
 Recommendation
6. Review of entire application

16. Application Process
7. Decision

17. Applications
• Timeline
• Make a Future
– Postings
– Prepared to teach vs. Qualified to teach
 Application Checklist via www.makeafuture.ca
 The Teacher Interview Process – How to Stand Out

18. Applications
• Cover Letter
– Highlight who you are & what you bring to
the table
– Get our attention…for the right reasons…..
• To: Superintendent of Schools
• To: Mr. Key….
• “I am applying for a position with the
Mount Toba School District.”

19. Applications
Cover Letter Tips (via Education Week)
How to Write a Cover Letter That
Employers Will Actually Read (via
@makeafuture)

20. Applications
• Resume/CV
– One pager vs. comprehensive
– Font and Size
– Paper
– Poof reed and smell cheque

21. Applications
 How To Redesign Your Resume For A
Recruiter’s 6-Second Attention Span (via
@makeafuture)
 Spring Clean Your Resume (in Less Than 2
Hours!) (via The Daily Muse)
 The 5 Biggest Resume Debates Among
Recruiters—Finally Answered

22. Applications
• Practicum Reports
– S.A.’s and F.A.’s
• References
– S.A.’s and F.A.’s
– Personal References vs. Professional
References
– Contact Information, email addresses
– “References available upon….”

23. Applications
• Email, Twitter, and Blogs (in your applications)
– sexilexi@xxxx.com vs. alexandra@vancmail.com
– @studnotdud vs. @newteacher
– stoopidstufkidzdo.yteubcpress.ca vs.
mypracticumjourney.teo.com

24. Social Media???

25. Interviews
• Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

26. Interviews
• The District
– Vision, Values, Goals
– Strategic Plans
– District Achievement Contract
– Facts vs. Myths

27. Interviews
• Show us who your are
– not who you know….
 Emotions available upon request. (by @lynhilt)
 What do Principals Look for When they Hire? (by
@peterjory)
 Dear Teacher Applicant (by @jvbevacqua)
 Response: What Principals Look For In A
Prospective Teacher (by @larryferlazzo)

28. Interviews
• Behaviour Based Questions
– CIA/SEL, Classroom Management, etc.
– Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
– Beware of using catch phrases/terms/lingo
without further explanation/context
• “I believe in Assessment of, for, & as Learning.”
Interviewing Tip: Mind Your Buzz Words

29. Interviews
• Best foot forward
• Not an interrogation
• Portfolios
– Connections to questions vs. page by page
presentation
– Read your audience
 5 Reasons Your Portfolio Should Be Online
 Read my blog, not my resume…

30. Interviews

31. Interviews
It’s the entire application
- not just the interview.

32. Interviews
 How to Best Prepare for Your Job Interview
 Interview Snafus
 Making the First Impression Count: 5 Interviewing
Tips for Intoverts
 My Biggest Interview Mistakes Ever (and How to
Avoid Them)
 Nailing the Job Interview

33. Interviews
 Teacher Interviews: Common Sense and
Professional Advice
 The Ultimate Guide to Being an Interview Pro
 Top 5 Elementary Teacher Interview Questions
 Your All-in-One Interview Prep Guide (via The Daily
Muse)

34. Myths
• Once you get to the interview stage it’s
an even playing field – every applicant
is the same.
• The interview is just a formality.
• You only hire and interview once a year.
• “It’s who you know….”

35. Hiring
• Ongoing
• Needs – Assessing and Re-assessing
• In search of the “best teachers” vs. best
applicants

36. I’ve got a job, now what?
• Teacher Assignments and TTOC work
– Right place, right time
– TTOC Dispatch
– Accruing seniority vs. making ends meet

37. I’ve got a job, now what?
Reputations
“Easy to get, hard to lose”

38. What if I don’t get hired?
• Looking for a job vs. pursuing a passion
• Alternative opportunities
• Volunteer work (occasional vs.
scheduled/regular)
• Supply and Demand
– Additional training?
• Networking (vs. “It’s who you know”)

39. Questions?
District Contact:
recruiting@sd44.ca