Interview questions (2008)

[NewTeacher]

Hey guys i have an interview tomorrow for a leave replacement in a high school. I'm really nervous because i don't know what type of questions they are going to ask. If anyone has an experience in an interview for a leave replacement please help! I just need to know what type of questions they will ask. Thanks!

[Bubbles37]

I found out on July 31, 2008, that I did not get that job. I interviewed for one of 16+ availiable positions (spec. ed.). I am beginning to think that I am overqualified.

[Master Pre-K]

It only takes one YES, well maybe two..so you can compare...

Don't worry about the No's

Keep trying!!!

and follow me to the rum, tums and depression thread... until you are feeling better.

http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/s...506#post733506

[Carrot top19]

I'm so glad I stumbled on this! I think it is a great idea! I have 2 questions that maybe someone could help me out with.

1.Describe the kind of student with whom you can be most effective


2. During your first five years of teaching/working in the XXX School District, what would be your major accomplishments

[Master Pre-K]

Originally Posted by Carrot top19

I'm so glad I stumbled on this! I think it is a great idea! I have 2 questions that maybe someone could help me out with.

Nice to meet you Carrot. let me say, off the bat.. I think these are loaded/tripped up questions. I'll analyze them before answering.

1.Describe the kind of student with whom you can be most effective

This gives the fallacy that you can only teach good students. Why would you ask this? A good teacher will make an effort to reach all students.

As a teacher, it is my job to reach all students. Thefore, the student with which whom I can be most effective with would be the ones that I prepare for every day, and that would be all of them.


2. During your first five years of teaching/working in the XXX School District, what would be your major accomplishments

Again, they want you to say you improved AYP (annual yearly progress) test scores, increased promotions, reduced dropout levels...found a cure for the common cold, and reorganized the library.

In my opinion, I think my major accomplishment would be meeting the needs of my students, the goals of my school, and the objectives of my principal. (nothing specific. You don't know what you are getting into. How can you answer this?!)

no problem! welcome aboard!

[flutetoot]

This is a great idea - I've been on about 12 interveiws in 2 years, and often I'm thrown a new question. My most recent was:

You teach middle school Reading. The class has to read a required class reading book. How do you get the student who says that they hate this book and refuse to read it to read this book?

Also, if you had to choose two required reading books for middle school, what two would they be?


Thanks for any pointers in case I am thrown these again!

[Beth561]

You teach middle school Reading. The class has to read a required class reading book. How do you get the student who says that they hate this book and refuse to read it to read this book?

Also, if you had to choose two required reading books for middle school, what two would they be?


I actually had this happen this year. Two boys flat out refused to continue reading The Cay. I gave them one copy of the book and told them to create a test for the rest of the class. They were so into that and before you know it,they were reading(maybe skimming) the book. Then they started contributing to the class discussions and finally they rejoined the rest of the class.
P.S. they kept on asking me when I was going to give the class their test-

[Megs611]

So on Wed I have a 4th correspondence with a district. It began with the application process of course--then the principal emailed us letting everyone kow there was over 100 applicants and they had cut it down to a smaller number--they then gave us a "screening interview" in the form of questions to answer and email back. After that I got a call saying that he wanted to do a phone interview--it had been narrowed down to 12 at that point--we did the phone interview on a Monday and just this past Saturday he called and said it was narrowed down to 5 and I was one of them--I am now going there (a 6 hour drive...haha) for an in-person interview on Wed--he has asked a lot already so I am just wondering what else might be asked. I am thinking possibly some "in-depth" stuff and more specific things. I am thinking a focus on literacy as this is a Kindergarten position--I am just wondering if anyone has any tips as to what i might want to focus on...thanks for any assistance for this nervous applicant who would give a vital organ for this job...hahaha

Megan

[lemonhead]

First, welcome to A to Z!

I think your are smart to focus on literacy. I was asked what my literacy block would look like and I stumbled through it. Personally, I'd would worry less about the basic strength and weakness things and focus on curriculum, helping reluctant learners, and ways of instruction maybe.

If you've taught before, have examples for some of your answers without rambling too much. Also, if you have experience they might ask you things like "tell me a time when you.....whatever". I remember having a question like that. It was "Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a student".

In addition, if you know they use certain programs there that you have used be sure to mention it.

Good luck to you and congrats on being one of the final 5. That waiting would be driving me crazy!

Lemon

[lilmisses1014]

Okay, I have an interview tomorrow morning and am going over questions and thinking of responses. When I had my screening interview with this district I was asked about best practices for teaching math, science, social studies, and reading. For once I had a major lack of time working in my favor, so my repetitive answers weren't so bad (we only had 25 minutes for the interview and I was asked a LOT of questions). My interviewer understood and said my responses were fine and what she was looking for; however, I was hoping someone could help me develop something specific about best practices for the subjects mentioned.

So, What are best practices for teaching reading/science/social studies/math?

Also, I'm having the hardest time coming up with a decent response to the question:

How do you teach writing?

I was also asked that during my screening interview, but hated my response (I mentioned mini-lessons, but forget what else I said).

Thanks, everyone! My nerves are rattled-- I want this job so badly!!