The document outlines strategies for successful teaching interviews, emphasizing preparation such as researching the school, knowing the interview process, and arriving early. Key aspects include responding directly to questions, maintaining proper etiquette, and preparing thoughtful inquiries for the interviewer. Additionally, it stresses the importance of follow-up communication, such as sending handwritten thank-you notes after the interview.

1. Successful Teaching Interviews Steven M. Baule North Boone CUSD 200

2. Preparing for the Interview Know what job you are applying for Research School/district website City/village website

3. The Process Review applications (Maybe 100+ for a position) Screening interview – larger districts only First round interview Small school principals/Large school department chairs From 3 to 8 candidates Reference checks often done after 1 st round of interviews Administrative interview 1 to 3 candidates Offer will be made within a week of the final interview in most cases

4. Getting the call Confirm the position being considered Ask who you will be meeting with, names and titles, if possible Confirm the location and time You may have a screening interview somewhere besides the school Ask if you should bring anything: Portfolio, letters, sample video, etc. Get a name and phone number to contact if you have an emergency Thank the caller

5. Pre-Interview Arrive early, but don’t announce yourself more than 15 minutes early Bring a book to read while waiting… Dress appropriately Know the names (s) of who you are coming to meet with Good secretaries are often part of the interview process – remember that Try to determine if the interviewer prefers e-mail or the telephone

6. Interview Make eye contact Shake hands firmly No one wants to shake a limp fish Don’t sit or enter a room until directed Be cheerful and energetic

7. How to answer Answer the question asked directly and without embellishment Don’t ramble, but don’t become monosyllabic either If in a group interview, do not focus only on the questioner Use proper grammar and syntax Be positive

8. Types of Questions Your desire to work with children Subject area expertise Classroom management Contact with parents Your desire to teach in THIS school Your reasons for entering the teaching profession Your willingness/desire to coach/sponsor Your prior experience

9. Specific Questions Why do you want to teach at ABC School? What was your most positive experience in student teaching? What do you feel are your greatest strengths/weaknesses? Tell me about a lesson you taught and how you would improve it next time? How would you deal with a problem student? Where do you see yourself in five years?

10. Specific Questions II Tell me/us about your computer/technology skills? What have you read lately, personally or professionally? What changes or future challenges do you foresee in the profession? How do you plan for working with students of different abilities?

11. Specific Questions III As a new teacher, how would you go about becoming part of the staff? Besides tests and quizzes, what measures do you use to determine what students really know? What are your expectations of your colleagues? How would you respond to the question from students: “What do I need to know this for?”

12. Last Question Do you have any questions for us? Have 5 questions prepared Ask 1 to 2, don’t grill the interviewer Ask about the timeline for the process unless already presented Tell them you are excited about the position – if you are Remember to thank him/her/them

13. Common Requests Teach a sample lesson Provide a writing sample Usually on site Provide a portfolio Be prepared to leave it for a week (Press it as a CD)

14. Post-Interview Send a handwritten thank you note to each interviewer Make sure names and titles are correct E-mail doesn’t carry the same weight in this case Follow up via e-mail or phone as earlier determined, a couple of days after you were told you would be contacted Don’t badger…. Remember education is a VERY small world If you get a call telling you, you are still a candidate…

15. How to Get an Interview Send a postcard to the principal that includes your picture and a URL to your resume Ask the principal at your school to pass your resume on to his/her colleagues Network… Try to send letters of application with a personal hook… Substitute, it gets your foot in the door