PowerPoint detailing the identity crisis facing pre-service teachers and some interview tips for prospective teachers

1. SO, you wanna be great?
Golden Apple
EIU Summer Institute
June 27, 2013

3. PJ Caposey (@principalpc)
Assistant Superintendent/
Principal
Author

4. Big Ideas
• Teacher Identity Crisis
• Big picture – what is a great teacher?
– Concrete ideas for you to take forward
• Before you can teach kids, you must. . .
– Get a job
– Interview prep
– FAQs
• What else can I do for you?

10. GREAT AVERAGE
Student-Centered
In all Actions
(Calling)
Adult-Centered
(Job)
Success not
Impacted by system
System drives
Effectiveness
Remain Unfinished Believe that
‘this’ is teaching

11. Examples of Student versus Adult-Centered behaviors
1)Timing of units 2) Re-take policies
3) Content –focus versus learning-focus
4) Discipine strategy 5) Many, many more

13. 1920

14. 2013

16. A few other things, just for me . .
• Textbook DOES NOT EQUAL curriculum – you
have a responsibility in this
• Know what critical thinking is . . .
• Coloring – why is it ever the best strategy you
can use?
• If you teach based on standards – then teach
and assess based on standards
• Classroom management . . . .
Just a few words

17. Now, Let’s
Get You
a Job

19. While you are sweating out your application process,
this is what I am doing
The unfortunate truth is that a great kid
with an application with zero errors will
get called for an interview less than 5%
of the time in my experience – I have
hired one (Student Taught in District)

20. 1)Call
2)Cash in Favors
3)Commiserate
(network) –
How many
principals do
you know right
now?
4)Coach – then
call
Increased Specialization =
Increased Chances as well
(AP Experience, Dual
Cert., etc.)

21. Tell me what you
think you know
about constructing a
good résumé?

22. I KNOW THE
JOB
DESCRIPTION
OF A
TEACHER!!

23. You have an interview, now what?
You should have 2
primary goals. . .
1) Progress in the
process
2) Get enough
information out of
the other party to
decide if you
want to progress
in the process

24. Group Activity, 5 minutes
Part 1:
• Predict 3 to 5
questions that you
will be asked during
an interview
Part 2:
• Create 3 to 5
questions that you
should ask of them
or statements you
should make during
an interview

25. Group Activity, Correct Answers, IMO
Part 1:
• Tell us a little about
yourself?
• What distinguishes
you from other
candidates?
• Do you have any
questions for us?
Part 2:
• Reference their data
• Ask about goals moving
forward
• Vision/Mission/Core Values
• Culture and Climate
• Biggest strength/Biggest
barrier
• Bring up what you read
• What should I know that I
could not find examining
your website and IIRC

26. Interview Prep
(25 minutes – time allowing)
• 90 seconds each – I will keep time
• Question 1 – One thing nobody at table knows
about you
• Question 2 – Person most influential in your
choice to be a teacher
• Question 3 – Life changing event
• Strength bombardment

27. The Day of the Interview

28. Importance of secretary
Body language and relationships
Have extra materials on hand
Ask for clarification on confusing questions
Admit it if you do not know what they are talking about
Be yourself – humor = ok as long as it is natural
Ask for timelines and protocols
Ask for additional details about open position

29. Be afraid
Swear
Be underdressed
Ramble – if your answer is short that is ok
Chew gum
Oppressive cologne or perfume
“Good question”
Be on time - - on time is LATE!!

30. For me – and I cannot speak for
other principals
I hire based on fit, talent, and potential
and/or willingness to be coached as
opposed to correct answers on
technical questions
BUT, Technical Answers are Still Important

31. SOME SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO
DISCUSS

32. Sample Questions
Evaluate your understanding of Bloom’s Taxonomy and if it
impacts your professional practice. If it does, how? What level
of Bloom’s does the majority of your instruction take place in?
Explain what best practice curriculum development is.
Entering a new building, what would be some of the first
questions you would ask your departmental colleagues?
If we came to watch you for a day, what would we denote as
far as how and why you differentiate instruction?

33. Sample Questions
Define literacy instruction. What role does it play in your
discipline?
Describe best practice use of assessment on an individual and
departmental level.
How do you manage your classroom? What role does
administration play in maintaining order in your class?
How do you plan for a unit? Walk us through every step that
you would take if I said to you when you come back for a
second interview I want to see a unit plan on ________

34. Sample Questions
Describe to me, if you doing an evaluation, what an
excellent teacher would like? Would they be a leader
within the building, involved in extra-curriculars, etc?
How do you stay current professionally? What are the last
three things you have read professionally that have
impacted your practice?
Describe classroom failures? How often do they
occur, why? Whose responsibility is the student’s grade?

35. So, you got the job – now what?

37. #1 Priority = Educating Kids
#2 Priority = Preserving Your Job, So You Can
Educate Kids
Hurt your standing
• Under-Communicate
• Do not follow directives
• Do not meet stated
expectations
• Refuse to listen to criticism
• Refusal to work as a team-
player
Help your standing
• Become involved in the
school
– SIP
– Data leader
– Committees
– Leadership Opportunities
– Coaching or Sponsoring
Activities

39. Must reads for future educators. . .
• Danielson, Danielson, Danielson
• Social Intelligence – Goleman
• Drive – Pink
• 7 Habits – Covey
• Outliers – Gladwell
• Good to Great – Collins
• SuperCrunchers – Ayers
• Results Now and/or Focus – Schmoker
• Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Lencioni
• Anything by:
– Marzanno
– Whitaker
– Me