Interview Tomorrow!

I parked right by the cell phone tower! :haha:

He called at 6:15 and I was on the phone with him for 14 minutes. I think it went well, but it's hard to tell over the phone. I answered all his questions with anecdotes. The only thing I fumbled on was "Tell me a story of a failure". I said, "There have been a couple times where my lesson plan didn't go the way I intended it to go and the students didn't quite understand the concept so I had to go home and self-reflect and think of new ways to present the material."

He asked:
*About my background (school, student teaching, teaching)
*Story of success and story of failure
*What would my students say about me as their teacher?
*What would the staff in my school say about me as a teacher?
*About a recent lesson that went well

 

I like all the chatter that was written while I was gone. :lol:

 

Sounds like you nailed it! Why would you think you flubbed that failure question?

 

Because I said, "A failure story... let me think about that..." *paused for 3 seconds*

I mean, why would I have a failure story? I never fail. :lol:

 

Well, if I don't make it on to the next round it's ok. This position isn't my cup of tea. Their predicted class size for next year is 30 per class.

 

My questions were:
"Since this is a 6th grade middle school position, what subject would I be teaching?"
"What is the predicted class size?"
"What is your special education program like, full-inclusion or self-contained?"
"I believe it is very important to have a great relationship between the administration and staff. How do you foster a good relationship and good communication?"

 

ahhh ahhhh no. And I haven't heard from her in a while.

 

WOW!! That's a lot! And you still have the job fair interviews.

 

Sounds like you handled the failure story perfectly. They want to know you are a conscientious teacher who reflects and works to improve her skills. - You answered it nicely in my eyes.

~**~ thinking positive thoughts for you ~**~

 

When asked why I wanted to teach at this school I slipped in that I love that they are a 4 Star school and "I think that speaks volumes for what you are doing at your school."

 

Those sound like great responses! I wouldn't be surprised if you had an offer soon.

 

Sounds like it went well. You need to write pros and cons about the position, so when they call to offer it to you you will know what to say.

 

Sounds like you did well!

 

He's going to let me know at the end of the week either way.

 

Funny story today:

I went to a conference in Chicago. I went with another 4th grade teacher. I was driving. When we got into the city I got behind a truck with NASTY fumes. They were bothering me, but not too bad. The other teacher says, "Ooo, I don't feel that great because of the fumes." So I say, "Oh, let me roll down your window." A couple seconds later she says, "I think I'm going to throw up!" She sticks her head out the window and throws up while I'm going 30 mph. Her vomit is all down the side of my car. We get to a stop light and she opens the door and pukes again. A semi-truck is going by and I'm yelling "Watch the door! Watch the door!" The people parked next to us are giving her the weirdest looks. HAHAHA!

 

That's good..you only have 3 days to wait!

That's gross about the other teacher....I hope you watched your car.

 

She and I are friends so it's not that big of a deal. Afterward she apologized and offered to pay for a car wash.

 

Wow...gross...but I'm glad you were ok with it!

 

:lol::lol:In high school, my friend had frozen puke down the side of her car one winter for 2 months. I think she kept it there that long because she loved telling the story of our friend puking out her window while going down the highway after a night of drinking .

 

It is a funny story! We were laughing about it all day. Luckily she didn't eat breakfast so it wasn't chunking... only liquid. Whew! :lol:

 

Wanna critique my thank you letter?

Dear Mr. _______:

I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to interview with you and for the sixth grade position at _______ Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year. I enjoyed talking with you on the phone.

I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my qualifications and interest in the position. I continue to be interested in being considered a candidate for the position. I feel I am well qualified for the position because of the experience I gained in my first year of teaching, along with my student teaching experiences in Indiana and Ireland. I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the wonderful faculty and staff at ________ Middle School . I enjoyed talking to you about my math lesson of collecting and organizing data, the success story of one of my students and how I try to reach all the learners in my classroom.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information.

All the Best,

 

Sounds pretty good to me.

 

It sounds good (except for the one part.) I'm so excited for you! I think many of us are living vicariously through those who are interviewing and looking for jobs, even though I could have lived without interviewing. I can't wait until you guys announce that you got the job! As for 30 kids in a 6th grade class, that's about average. I teach 3 sections of 6th grade and have 30, 30, and 31 kids. I have had as many as 32. I think the most someone has is 33!

 

Thanks Jamie!

 

Thanks cheery! I appreciate your sincerity!

I've gone back and forth with that sentence.

Any suggestions?

 

What about:

I am very interested in this position.

 

OR

I am very interested in being considered a candidate for the position.

 

You mentioned your interest in the position in the sentence before.

 

Well, then I'll just nix that sentence all together? Thoughts?

 

This is what I'm going with:

Dear Mr. ______:

I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to interview with you for the sixth grade position at Middle School for the 2008-2009 school year. I enjoyed talking with you over the phone.

I appreciate you taking the time to learn about my qualifications and interest in the position. I am well qualified for the position because of the experience I gained in my first year of teaching, along with my student teaching experiences in Indiana and Ireland. I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the wonderful faculty and staff at Middle School. I enjoyed talking to you about my math lesson of collecting and organizing data, the success story of one of my students and the methods I use in order to reach all the learners in my classroom.

I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me if you need any additional information.

All the Best,


cMcD

 

I think it sounds really good with the changes from JamieMarie and me. There is a period that needs to be moved over in the 2nd paragraph after the words "Middle School". Maybe you could post it with the changes. I'm sure others will be along to critique soon.

 

Oh, you had it posted before I could finish typing.

 

Thanks cheery!

 

That is excellent. I don't think you need the comma before along. Along with takes the place of and so you wouldn't use a comma.

It sounds like your interview went fantastic! Only a few days to wait, woooo hooooo!!!

Sorry about the vomit. At least you both will have a good story to tell when you get the job!

Lemon

 

Thanks Lemon!

The funny story will be that I drove out in the country to take the call by a cell phone tower! :haha:

 

Lemon

 

:lol:

 

Should I include my letters of rec. with the thank you letter?

 

Your letter sounds great!!! I don't think you should send the letter of rec in with the thank you letter. JMO

 

Awww, Lemon, you're too cute Thank You!

HaHa, I actually thought of y'all as I was walking into the school. I was wondering, how many people on AtoZ are possibly thinking of me today? It gave me an odd sense of releif