Best question ever: If you were to describe your teaching philosophy in terms of a kitchen appliance, what kitchen appliance would you choose and why?
Here are some of the questions I got at my interview this week for a preschool position: What is your experience with centers and how would you use them in your classroom? How would you deal with an angry parent? What are 3 of your strengths and 3 areas you need growth in? How will you assess the children? What would I see if I came in to your classroom on a typical day? In one minute or less, tell us why we should hire you (I've been asked this question in a couple of interviews now -- I feel like I just sum up everything I already stated earlier in the interview)
Does anyone by chance have the notecards that people were posting about in the other posts from 2009? Thanks.
Critical elements of teaching & learning I am a career switcher and just returned from my first teacher interview. After the interview questions, the P gave me a sheet of paper and told me I had 30 minutes to complete it and she left the room. The first question: What are the critical elements of teaching & learning? Does anybody know what the answer is to this? :help:
Hi everyone! I LOVE having these interview threads as a resource! Has anyone been asked questions about the prevelance of bullying? Such as, "how should a teacher handle bullying?" An answer would obviously have to go past the basic zero tolerance of bullying position. I know I would definitely document cases of bullying as well as how I handled the situation, but other than that I'm a bit stumped as far as how to answer such a question... I also have two interview-related questions: 1) I student taught in language arts and social studies, and I'll be interviewing for a language arts position. When they ask questions about specific lessons i.e. my most/least successful lesson or my riskiest lesson etc. is it appropriate to use a social studies lesson as my example? Are these types of questions more to get an idea of my planning and prep process? 2) I've done a little bit of research, and I am still confused about IEPs and RTI. Can someone briefly explain the difference? If you're feeling really helpful, you could throw in 504s too! Thanks for your help!
An IEP is an individualized plan created to provide services to students who have a diagnosed disability. The IEP has goals that the student works to achieve, and the IEP is rewritten each year. RTI is a method of identifying students who may need more supports in the classroom, but don't necessarily have a disability. Everyone starts at Tier 1, which involves general instruction with no "extras". If a student is struggling in Tier 1 (which can be seen through data collection), they will be moved to Tier 2, which involves the general instruction along with an intervention such as small group instruction. If a student is still struggling, they will be moved to Tier 3. Tier 3 involves a more intensive intervention (or multiple interventions) and may result in a referral for special ed services. The whole point of RTI is to identify students who need extra help before they "fall through the cracks". Districts may do RTI slightly different, but that's the gist of it. Anyone else can chime in and add/correct me if I'm wrong
A friend gave me a head's up about a question I will possibly get at an upcoming interview: What should be discussed in a department meeting? Department meetings provide opportunities for faculty to use each other as resources. They are not are not forums for negativity or venting about students or peers. Strategies, methods, and resources should be shared. You should use the time time to review the success rates of your students and brainstorm and plan ways to make your students even more successful. ----That's what I've come up with so far. Input?
Tell me about yourself - nothing personal Say nothing personal to the "Tell me about yourself" question?
I had a principa ask me, "What were your best and worst lessons and tell me about them." That (and a few other things) gave me the impression that she had already made up her mind (on hiring someone else). I mean, that's a broad question. It should have been broken up into three or four separate questions.
@ Puff5655, So you teach in Alaska? My husband and I are looking at moving to Alaska when I am finished with school (about 2 years). I want to teach elementary school and he is an artist. What suggestions or advice could you give me? What areas of Alaska are looking for more teachers? Is there a website somewhere that posts jobs or do you find them at each districts' website? Thanks in advance for any info you might be able to give.
So I was interviewing for a position in a Catholic school and would like to add my 2 cents... Question 1, which caused me some embarrassment.. What is the Common Core? I said students learn similar concepts regardless of where they live. Then I said my state is still debating whether to adopt them. WRONG! So I guess my advice is be knowledgeable about current trends in education. Another question I groped around for a plausible answer was... How would you model a Catholic identity?
I was recently interviewed and hired. Some of the questions they asked were: 1. Describe a lesson plan that you would use to take full advantage of a 70 minute period. 2. How can technology be used to complement or enhance instruction in your area? 3. How could you differentiate within an English class? 4. How do you reward good effort and achievement? 5. Explain how you would improve your student's writing skills. 6. Explain a discipline situation that you felt you handled effectively and one you could have handled differently. 7. How do you plan to incorporate aspect of Balanced Literacy? Those were the core questions asked.
Recent interview questions I had an interview that went very well yesterday. I won't know for a week whether I get it or not. 1) Tell us about yourself (of course). 2) How would you go about welcoming your students and getting to know them? 3) How would you teach an intervention lesson on reading comp? 4) How would you teach an intervention lesson on subtraction? 5) How would you contribute to staff meetings, data team meetings, etc.? 6) How would you handle a parent who called to say their child was being bullied? 7) What type of support do you think you would need returning to the classroom? 8) What else do you think we should know about you?
1. What is the difference in a good and great teacher? 2. Tell me how you teach? 3. Classroom management issues/problems with the high poverty students? 4. How would you help us close the reading gap between white, black and hispanic students? the school is 45% hispanic and also most all the students are not reading on grade level. 5. If I looked into your classroom how would I know learning was taking place?
I was asked these questions yesterday. Just more for you to practice with! Tell us about yourself. What can you offer our school? What would you do about misbehavior in your classroom? How are you with technology? Tell me what you know about guided reading. How would you handle assessment? Give us an example of how you would initiate a reading intervention. If we walked in your ideal classroom, what would we see? What three words would your administration use to describe you? What is your biggest weakness? How organized are you? What do you know about our school? Why should we pick you over everyone in this stack? How have you interacted with impoverished students in the past?
Oh here are 2 more that I forgot about! How could I forget (they are a little different)! What would you do if a team member was lazy? What do you know about Harry Wong?
Here's what I got at my interview for an anticipated elementary opening: -Describe your ideal school. -When did you know you wanted to be a teacher? -Were all of your elementary teachers "warm and fuzzy?" -What teacher had the greatest impact on you? -Do you have any experience with Reading and Writing Workshop? -What did you learn from your cooperating teacher? -Describe a hands-on reading or writing lesson that you have taught. -Which would you prefer-- kindergarten or 5th grade? -How do you handle differentiation in the classroom? -How would you feel if you didn't meet a deadline? -Do you align yourself with a particular person's classroom management theories? This was my first interview, and the questions were not what I had been expecting! It was with the assistant superintendent and was pretty laid back. We also talked a little about the tornado in Joplin, MO and how that would impact students (even though this district was across the state from Joplin...)
Here's another one: Lets pretend that 3 big events happened in one day. Tell me which of these events is the most important and why. -You receive the results of a standardized test. -Your class raises the most money for a schoolwide charity challenge. -A student who never speaks asks a good question during reading.
You should have expected a question along these lines. Schools aren't looking for one right answer, but they are looking for someone who is knowledgeable, passionate, has good content area knowledge and who has done some research about the school/district. Good luck to you.
Here are some I've heard recently: *Describe the first five minutes of your class. *How would you be sure that you keep students engaged at all times? *How do you reach learners at all types of levels? *[Gave a situational background about stress-causing school stuff] How would you stay positive for your students? *What would you be able to contribute to our team? *What do you do if a student needs support? *How do you discipline? *What types of assessments do you use? Any sample answers or advice to these would be appreciated!
interview tomorrow I have an interview tomorrow and have been asked to teach a 10 minute mini lesson on similarities and differences. My thought is to use Janet Allen's Common (and Uncommon) denominators graphic organizer, but I need two texts or maps or pictures that will work. Does anyone have any ideas? This will be my 3rd interview in the last week. I didn't get the other two so I know I need to work through the questions as well, but this is the first one to ask me to actually teach. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Hello! I actually went on and interview today and was asked this question: What do you know about the Gradual Release Program? Tell me about it. This threw me for a loop. I know I bombed the interview but what made things worse is that I don’t feel like I had their attention. My interviewers were the Principal, Vice Prin, and another teacher. No one really made eye contact with me except the other teacher. This made me feel like they already had someone in mind. Has anyone else ever felt that way?
I was on an interview Monday, and they actually gave me the list of questions that they asked. I haven't read this thread, so some of these are probably on there, but I thought I'd add them just in case they're not: 1. What are your goals in teaching? 2. Why would you choose to teach in this school as opposed to another? 3. How important are student and parent relationships to your teaching? How do you create these relationships? 4. What teaching approaches, techniques or methods are most effective for you? 5. What do you do when a lesson or strategy doesn't appear to be working? 6. What "specialty" do you have as a teacher? What do you do really well? What could you bring to our school that would really make a difference? 7. What is your view on discipline/classroom management?
Yes! You know its a bad sign when one of the interviewers starts playing on her iPad and then pulls out the next person's application. I could tell in the first 5 minutes they weren't interested.
Here are the questions I had in my interview yesterday. It was a last minute interview for a new classroom to be added. Now I have to wait until Monday to hear! Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your classroom experiences. If we were to walk into your classroom, what would we see? How do you collaborate with other teachers? Grade levels? What are your thoughts on parental involvement? How do you involve parents? What would you do if you have a student who simply would not follow directions? What would you do if a student is falling behind? How will you make sure that the student succeeds? How do you use standards? What questions do you have for us?
txteach2b, would you mind sending me a copy of your interview note cards? I'm unable to send you a message since I'm new here. I've enjoyed reading through these threads. So much valuable information... thanks everyone!
I am going on my first interview next Friday and I am sooooo nervous. Your note cards from the 2009 posts would save me soooo much time and I really appreciate it. My email : vallechat@gmail.com Thanks
I am going on my first interview next Friday. Your notes would save me lots of time. vallechat@gmail.com Thanks!!!!
Has anyone here ever used career center services to prepare for interviews or making a portfolio? My university does mock interviews, but I've done a lot of job interviews for someone my age, so I'm wondering if others have generally found career centers helpful.
Copy of Interview Questions Txteach2b, I would love to have a copy of your interview questions, but I'm not able to PM you. Is there another way to get those from you? I have an interview next week and really need some help on interviewing. Thanks!
You ever get the questions: What is your favorite color? What is your favorite room in a house and why? What that got to do with the job? I love how do you deal with multiculturalism? We all know you want to say how you do with difference races etc just say it!
http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?p=1593851&posted=1#post1593851 (Sorry, I'm having multi-quote issues) You've posted the exact same response twice, even though the subject of race hasn't been brought up by anyone else... the closest anyone has come is "multiculturalism." Multiculturalism is NOT just about teaching kids of a variety of different races... it's so much more than that!
I serve on my school hiring committee...we've never asked such questions. We are a diverse district, but never have felt the need to ask any questions about race...we're looking to hire professionals who can reach and teach all kinds of learners.
I actually had a school when I was first searching 2 years ago ask me what the demographics of my ST school were. I said that it was mostly low SES students from various cultural backgrounds, assuming it would be inappropriate to mention specific race. They then flat out asked me what the racial make up of my class was, which was about 25% hispanic and 75% white. After I told them, they promptly ended the interview by telling me I didn't have enough experience with black people to work in their school. This was the 3rd question they'd asked me! Around this state pretty much any school is going to ask you how you work with ELL students, but I have not heard race brought up specifically yet.
