Interview questions (2008)

[McKennaL]

[QUOTE=lemonhead;580617]

Communication with parents....

The principal that I served under during student teaching had a great idea about communication with parents that SHE said that SHE would like to hear during interviews.

I tell you, when I have mentioned it interview panels have sat up tall in their seats! And it makes you think..."Ooooooo I got a good one here!!"

The idea... that classroom newsletters come with a perforated section at the bottom for two-way communication (parental responses).

I like it! Thank you, principal!

[McKennaL]

[QUOTE=lemonhead;582103]INTERVIEW QUESTION: What would you never want to do as a teacher, and why?

My answer:

I can't imagine anything worse than a teacher being the reason a student loses hope. That they will never get the answer, it's out of their reach, they aren't smart enough, that things won't change...in other words... bullying. I think that that is the greatest disservice a teacher could do to a student. My job is to IGNITE a love of learning and INSPIRE students to reach their potential (and travel even beyond). But to make sure you do ignite and inspire requires you to first establish a caring and safe classroom environment and to get to know your students intimately ((((help me find a better word instead of intimately... it sounds, especially in THIS day and age, so preditorial))), and I believe that is one of my fortes.

[McKennaL]

She asked me a question (during a mock interview) "Why do you want to be a teacher?"

I went on and on about "I this" and "I that".

She smiled and said..."well thank you, those are all good ideas...." Or at least that is what I'll tell YOU. What I am thinking is.... I don't know you, and at THIS moment I care more about MY students than your hopes and dreams. So...what I want to hear is about CHILDREN. Rephrase why YOU want to be a teacher into what CHILDREN need in a teacher...and then at the end, reference how your thirst for knowledge, love of discovering creative strategies, blah blah blah is going to help MY children."

Sheeeeesh...if she was that helpful ALL through my student teaching, and not just my last day... I would have been learning at her feet the entire time!!

[McKennaL]

Originally Posted by GradSTUDENT07

Hi Eddie

I've been corresponding with a school in another state so this was asked to me vie e-mail. I have a few days to send them my reply. I still haven't come up with what I think is a good answer...I feel I'm more caring but I know I can be strict....Ugh..this is tough.....

I would say that it has to be a combination of the two (strictly one way is of no good without the other), with a leaning toward the caring side. The strict side would be in setting up procedures, routines, expectations, and rules in the classroom, modeling them and adhering to them...but that this would be through the students also being involved in the decision-making process. (Often they come up with better and tougher rules) We write them down together, then review and sign. this is what THEY believe a good class should do? Then Let's live this way.

But above all... we are setting up a safe and caring environment where students feel free to learn, grow, and take educational risks without fear of ridicule or resentment. this can only be accomplished by establishing that we are a family of learners within the school community.

[McKennaL]

Originally Posted by Green_eyed_gal

IWhat area of the curriculum are you the strongest in?? What area of the curriculum do you need refinement in?? It's that annoying strengh and weakness question, but they specifically ask about subject matter.

How should I respond?? I'm strongest in math and I need to improve in writing, which I already have a plan. Should I not even mention my weakness in writing? If not, how should I respond?

Thank you!!

Here's how i do it...

First play up your strength...enough said.

BUT...

the weakness....

I say, "If you would have asked me this question a year and a half ago, I would have said, 'hands down, MATH is my weakest subject. but SINCE then I have..."

talk about the studies you've read and put into practice, the strategies you are now finding success with in your students, how you are bring the subject alive for both yourself and your students, about how THEIR successes and enthusiasm are spurring you to even become better in the area, how you have learned of alternative learning strategies in which students approach a problem differently- but all wind up succeeding!!!... and so on.

EVERYTHING is a positive!

[McKennaL]

Originally Posted by chuckie

In case it helps anyone, here are the questions from my interview today:

What do you know about Vygotsky?
What math theorists and reading theorists are you familiar with and what can you tell me about them?

HAHAHAHA... you sound like you were interviewed by my masters level educational psychology and child development professsor. WHAT a mind opening class that was!

But...boy...to be asked about theorists? Hmmmmm, you wonder how that school is run? What is their main focus? Practice or children?

[McKennaL]

Ok... here's a question *I* have.

Not a interview question...but an interviewING one.

How do you FINISH an answer. I KNOW I will talk someone's socks off..so I try NOT to go too long, but then they are sitting there looking at me like...are you going to add more???

And I feel like I should add the Forest Gump line (imitating his voice) "...and that's all i have to say about THAT."

[McKennaL]

[QUOTE=chuckie;614214]JW13 & Small Town Girl,

Yeah, the Vyogtsky question really threw me. I could remember his "Zone of Proximal Development" but for the life of me couldn't remember WHAT it was.

I always remember this illustration that went along with the ZPD section in a text book. It looked like a stuffed olive laying on it's side. The "pimento" is what a student can do ON THEIR OWN, and the "olive" was what a student can accomplish with help... scaffolding/cooperative groupings/etc

The math and reading theorists question REALLY threw me.

I'm not sure about THEORISTS, but there are a few text book authors who really opened my eyes... Math: VanDeWalle, and Reading: Cunnigham (I'd throw in a bit of "The Daily Five" and the sisters who seem to be the big thing around HERE.) But to follow up i would say that through my methods classes I was introduced to the National Organizations NCTM in Math, NSTA in Science, and the IRA in Reading and their IDEA/THEORY-Rich websites which have given me new and up to date insights about teaching those subjects!

[mrhoug]

I hope you had much success in your interview. If you don't mind, I added your questions to the list of teacher interview questions at h ttp://roadtoteaching.com/teacher-interview-questions/, so other student teachers can practice them.

Take care and good luck!
Eric

Originally Posted by appl4tchr

Here are some interview questions I had today. It went well, so I'm hoping today was my lucky day!

1.Describe you would approach the teaching of Literature and language Arts.


2. Full inclusion is part of the educational environment. How would you meet the needs of a full inclusion child and design a program?

3. What would you expect your students to have gained after having you as a teacher?

4. If you were assigned to teach a combination class what would you do to ensure that all the students in the class met their grade level standard of achievement?

5. We have many bilingual and at risk students in our schools. What will you do to make sure that these kids are successful.

6. Describe your classroom management plan.

[mardi08]

Hi all,

I'm a teaching assistant who just rec'd my teaching certificates. I went on a couple of interviews, but I get too caught up in my teaching assistant experience. I'm not sure if that is what P and Admin. wants to hear. I do say that I teach small groups in reading and math, but I don't plan. Does anyone have any suggestions?