Yep, next Tuesday! I was tempted to pick the last time that she offered (next Thursday at 3) because then I'd be one of the last people being interviewed and maybe wouldn't have to wait as long to find out if I got the job or not, but I really just want to go and get it out of the way! Hopefully I won't have to wait too long to hear something, though.
....and those are the only days she offered so it's possible she'll be interviewing other days too, but the times were already full..who knows?! With my luck I'm probably up against 15 other people for the position! Then again....now that I think of it, she does have two openings. Both are 5th grade, but one is for GATE (gifted and talented ed.) so she maybe interviewing people for that as well.
Ok, so I'm a little nervous about my interview Tuesday. I'm hoping it goes well because I would really love to work there. I think the school I'm working at now has finally gotten their interview committee together for the 5th grade position for next year so they should be interviewing soon. I would assume that I would be one of the people they interview which would be pretty cool because I work with the teachers that would be interviewing me on a daily basis. The secretary also told me yesterday that they have a 4th grade opening that was just posted. It's for a teacher who was on maternity leave for this whole school year and apparently is taking another whole school year off. There's a sub in there now that's been there since the first day of school, though so I would hope that she'd get the first shot at the job. I'm going to apply to it, though. Once I mail that resume out I will have officially mailed out 23 resumes (and given out 10 at job fairs) and it's only the beginning of April!
Take a deep breath, or a couple if need be. Think of all of your outstanding qualities, jot things down if you need to, just so you remember things you want to say. Nervousness is normal. Keep us posted
Beth, I have 9 more packets to mail out Monday. Then I'll have mailed out 22. Good luck at the interview on Tuesday!
Just checking back in to tell you that I'm still thinking of you and praying for you. I feel a big relief knowing I don't have any more interviews or resumes to print. I'm praying that soon you won't either! I had my first staff meeting this last week! It was exciting - a new staff for a brand new school. We're all new to each other. I toured my classroom today, although it is only sheet rock at this point. I can't wait to see the finished room. Beth, I'm hoping you get 5th grade so you and I can share ideas! It's early yet and I just know you both will do great on your interviews!
Good Luck, Beth!!! You will be stellar, and they will be lucky to have you! When you are done, let me know some of the questions they asked, so I can get prepared for any interviews I (hopefully) will have this spring and summer.
interview I like to try and pose a couple of my own questions during an interview. I tend to think it conveys a person who isn't so desperate that he will take any old job. But instead I have to make sure I want to be at this school and am weighing out whether we will be a good match. Good luck!
JaimeMarie, What do you put in your "packets" that you mail out? other than the cover letter, and resume? I was curious, as I am wondering what else I could do to entice a principal/school into hiring me.... After I finish the last 10 letters, it'll make 32 for me. I really am only interested in about 15 , but hey an interview is an interview and ya never know when you'll find the right school. Kinda why I've been subbing for what feels like an eternity.... maybe we could help eachother?
Achance to teach: Just got a chance to read this thread... abit late, but congrats on getting a position!!! :wow: Any hints as to what clicked for you? What do you thin put you over the top? About the Brochures, portfolios.... could you show me an example?? or let me know a good source for an example? I've got the resume down and the coverletter okay.... but the other parts..... I hate to admit, I am sadly lacking/ or confused I don't know right now....
Munchkin, I put letter of intent first, then behind that my resume, the job application, my certification, transcripts and last three letters of interest. I only put what they ask for. If they don't ask for transcripts I don't send them. Same with an application. I put them all into a black resume packet thing. Here is what it looks like http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/s...=507385&storeId=10001&ddkey=StaplesZipCodeAdd In that hole on the cover I have centered in the middle. Resume (24 font size) Jaime Marie and my last name ( 32 font size and in bold) Certified Teacher (16 font size)
Today is going to be a very long day. The kids have their last day of ELA state testing (the rest of the tests are in May) so it's going to be a rough morning, I'm sure, and then right after the kids leave at 2:30 I've got to drive home (20 mins), change, and drive to my interview (20 mins from home) for 4:00.
early Beth, Mir and Missy, Whew! All 3 of you are on the computer EARLY! (edit) Oh! I just noticed where all of you live, it's not so early. Good luck Beth!
So, your interview is at 4:00 right? So it would be 2:00 here, that would make it 2 hours away. Correct? Good Luck!
It's 1:30 now so I've got about 2 1/2 hours until the interview. The kids are at a special recess right now because we're done with the ELA state testing. They'll be back in about 20 minutes and then the busses will start being dismissed at 2:10...once they're all gone at 2:30 I'm outta here so I can go home and get ready! I'm getting a little nervous, but I'm sure I'll do fine. Let's just hope I get the job!!
Wow. We don't dismiss till 3:35, Of course students don't arrive till 8:25 in the morning. It's going to be a change for us next year. Those of us that are going to the new school will have to be there at 7:30 instead of 8:00. Anyway, good luck again. I'm sure you'll do just fine.
Well, it's about 3:10 and I'm just printing out a few more copies of my resume to bring with me and then I'm heading out. I'll post when I get home to let everyone know how it went and what questions were asked.
Well, I just got home and I feel that the interview went very well. I was interviewed by the principal and 5 teachers which was more people than I had expected, but there was only one person at the table that I didn't know so it was ok. Actually, one of the people who was there was my CT from student teaching. It was great to see her. She gave me a big hug and seemed really happy to see me too. They seem to be interviewing a bunch of people for the position...probably close to 10, if not more, and the principal said that they don't really have a time line as of right now, but that I'll get a call either way....hopefully it'll be soon! Anyway, here are the questions I was asked and somewhat shorter versions of my answers: 1. What does being a "team player" mean to you? Working collaboratively with others to benefit the students and being willing to share great ideas. 2. What inspires you to go the extra mile in your job? The kids. I love being told by a student that he or she enjoyed something after I spent a lot of time planning and preparing. 3. Fifth grade is the first year that they take the Science/Technology MCAS (state test). What would you do to prepare the students for that? By going back to released copies of old tests and having the students practice. Also looking at the state frameworks and reviewing information that the students should know in fifth grade. Using hands-on experiments to help them grasp the concepts and therefore better answer the open response questions. 4. What classroom management techniques have worked best for you? Having routines and procedures in place to help prevent problems. Also, using reward/incentive programs to give the students the incentive to behave properly. 5. What types of assessment do you use most often? I like to use rubrics because I think it helps the students to understand what is expected of them and it's easy for them to see what is required of them to get the full number of points. I also use observation quite a bit by walking around the room while the students are working to decide if they're on grade level or if they are above or below where they should be. 6. What qualities and/or skills make you the best candidate for the position? By being a long term substitute I've had the opportunity to see a lot of different ways of doing things and obtain a lot of new ideas. Between that and student teaching, I've spent a significant amount of time in three teachers' classrooms and I think that has benefit me more than anything else. Am I better than other candidates? Possibly. Am I better than myself a year ago? Definitely. -There was one more that I can't remember for the life of me right now.
Oh Beth I hope you get this position! I'm glad it went well. Your answers sound great. Thank you for posting the questions. It gives us all some other questions to ponder before getting an interview.
Beth- I loved the way you answered the last question. I wish I had some long-term sub experience so I could say it!!! I also like how you told them that you have seen improvement in yourself. It shows me, at least, that you have done some self-reflection and it has improved your teaching. That is a great quality in a teacher! Keep us posted on the job, I will have my fingers crossed!
Sounds like you did a great job showing you are the best candidate. Glad they will let you know either way, it always bothers me when they don't let you know. The questions posted are great for reference if I am ever called to interview.
Thanks for the kind words. The interviewers seemed to enjoy my answer to that last question too. A few of them said "Well said" to a couple of my answers. My CT was smiling and knodding her head as if she was thinking, "That's my girl!" haha...it was kind of funny.
I bet...it would be fun to be interviewed by my CT....she was so easy going and sweet. And it would really put me at ease.
Ok, I need some advice.... Right now I'm typing up a thank you letter to send to the principal. In the past I've just sent a thank you card with a short message, but since I don't have my own room yet, I figure I'll try it differently this year! haha Here's what I've got. I mean every word of it, but I don't want it to sound like I'm sucking up. Tell me if it sounds too cheesy. I am writing to thank you and the other teachers for taking the time to meet with me today. I appreciate all of you spending what could be your free time to interview me for the fifth grade position. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the **** School and have known since then that it is a place that I can see myself being a part of full-time. Meeting with all of you today only reminded me of that. Being asked questions about working as a team and going the extra mile to benefit the students was refreshing. I feel that those are two of the most important parts of being a teacher and being asked those questions just reiterated to me that they are important to the people at the **** School as well. Thank you again for your time. I hope that these interviews have given you the opportunity to find the best candidate for the position. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Ok, I shortened it a little bit. I am writing to thank you and the other teachers for taking the time to meet with me today. I appreciate all of you spending what could be your free time to interview me for the fifth grade position. Meeting with all of you today reminded me of why I enjoyed my time at the **** School as much as I did. Being asked questions about working as a team and going the extra mile to benefit the students was refreshing. I feel that those are two of the most important parts of being a teacher and being asked those questions just reiterated to me that they are important to the people at the **** School as well. Thank you again for your time, and I look forward to speaking with you soon. A little better? Normally I wouldn't even write that much, but it's a little different because I know the principal and get along with her well.
It sounds great! Now, when she handwrites this, does she do it in a blank thank you card, or on stationary, or what? Just an idea.
Like I said before, last year I used blank thank you cards to write short thank you notes to the people who interviewed me and obviously it didn't make me stick out enough to get the job. I just want to do it differently this year.
Yeah, I probably will. I'm heading to Walmart tonight anyway so I can pick up some thank you cards while I'm there.
Hi Munchkin, well, don't know what finally clicked for me other than I finally set up this interview for myself. I am a sub at this district and I'm there about 3 days per week. That is how I found out that YOU call to set up your own interview, they don't call you. Also, they only hire subs and tutors that they have working for them. That way they have a chance to see you teach. I was actually recommended to the board and approved to be hired before I knew I had a chance. I did 3 interviews for this position. If you want more info on my brochure or CD portfolio, pm me and I'll try to send you samples.
after the fact Great job, Beth! Your written responses sound like you were very composed during the interview.
Thanks again everyone for the compliments on my answers and all of your great advice....as usual! I was just talking to my partner teacher next door about my interview yesterday and she said to me, "Your interview here is next Wednesday, right?" I said, "No, they haven't scheduled one with me." and she said, "No, I'm pretty sure they scheduled it for next week." HAHA I thought that was too funny. I mean, I figured I'd get interviewed for the 5th grade opening they have here next year even if it was just to be polite (since I've been in this building since November) but I think it's hysterical that the other 5th grade teachers who are on the interviewing committee know when my interview is and I haven't even been told yet!
