I originally posted this under "job seekers", but I thought that maybe more experienced pre-k teachers could give me some insight. I had a interview at a charter school that I am really interested in. I have taught in Public School for 4 years (kind & 1) and currently teach pre-K at a private school. The interview went really well and their second step is a classroom observation. I didn't think it was a good idea for him to come in my class and observe me. This would let my current employer know that I am looking for another job, and I dont wont her to think I am unhappy. So I told him as another option I would send a video of my teaching. He said that would be okay, but he wants it to be one hour long. My question is....What part of the classroom day should I video tape. In pre-k the lessons are not that long. They are like 15 minutes. then some small group activities. So I really don't know where to start ??????????
I agree, I would not want my employer to know I'm looking for another job and to have a potential boss observing in his/her school is just uncalled for, in my opinion. :unsure: Am I the only one who thinks this is strange??
I think it's strange as well! Can you come in to the school you're interviewing for and teach a lesson for observation instead?
I know that employers want to know you can do a job but in my previous life as a secretary, I always had to do shorthand and typing tests. I hated having to do them because I had the certificates that said I could. I thought it unfair that I, a lowly secretary should have such a test, yet the manager I would work for would not be asked to manage for 20 minutes!
I thought the usual practice would be for you to go to the school you were applying to and teach a demo lesson in one of their classrooms for the principal (director) to observe. As for the video, if he's looking for an hour of footage, I don't think he expects an hour-long lesson. I would hope that he realizes in pre-k over the course of an hour, he is going to see a myriad of activities. I would do something like a science experiment that starts out with a story (related to the topic), then move onto whole group instruction and then break off into small group exploration. Even that may not take an hour. Good luck.
Would sending a video of you teaching in another school even be permissable? I don't know how all of this would work but I would think you would need parents' permission for that. I find the whole thing strange too. If you are going to do it, why not just tape a long session of the day and find an hour to cut and use.
you would need to get the parents permission so your boss will know anyway. Most places would have you come in and do a lesson or spend a couple of hours
This sounds like a huge breach of confidentiality. I would double check with your employer or your state/provincial regulations! I know when I worked at a center, I was not allowed to take pictures of the children, so a video tape to be sent to a potential employer would have not been allowed!
Yeah you guys bring up some very good points. I will double check on those things. This is a new school that is opening, so I think that is why they are doing the observations this way. But you all are right, I have previous evaluations from my former principal that are excellent. i don't know if this school is just looking for something different or what? But I really would like this position for next school year. But as I thought about it, a video is really not a accurate measure of observation. I could just edit out any portion that i feel i want to. Well...i may just do a video and then maybe blur the kiddos faces. ????? I dont know..???? But what i do know is that pre-k is really fun. This is my first year teaching it. I have taught kindergarten for 3 years and 1st grade for 1. i thought it would be almost the smae, but this is much more fun!!! Kuddos to you veteran pre-k teachers.
I'm with Jennifer. Arrange a day to go and teach a lesson at the school to which you are applying. Ask to be able to coordinate with the teachers there an appropriate lesson.
I guess that explains why you can't do your lesson at their school. I appreciate that the school is doing everything they can to find the most qualified educators. Blurring out the children's faces might be your best option.
