The Interview

**Ms. N** · 06-17-2006, 05:49 AM

I just graduated and I have been looking for jobs since the day after graduation. Good news is that I have an interview on Tuesday. I was wondering if those of you who have been through the torment process of interviewing for first-year teaching positions could offer some assistance as to the type of questions your emploryers asked of you during the interview process.

I have been on a few interviews during my student teaching period and the questions asked consisted of: Name three adjectives that describe you as a teacher.... and so on. The question that always gets me is: How would you assist teaching a resistant learner? I know what I've said in the past to prospective employers but I was curious how other people asnwer that question. Similarly, the question: what are your strengths and weaknesses as an educator? I look forward to any advice you can offer

**JohnBoy** · 06-17-2006, 06:41 PM

Administrators love the word "engaged" and mention using instruction appropriate to multiple learning styles. That might help with the "resistant learner" question.

**Xyphir** · 06-17-2006, 07:46 PM

In NZ they like to hear about how you wil "differentiate the curriculum" to meet the "learning styles" to "engage" "individual students" within a "classroom setting"

Best advice though would to be confident about your own abilities as a teacher. Remember that you are (hopefully

) sound in your content knowledge and remember why you decided to become a teacher in the first place (hopefully to affect change rather than for the money...) and I am sure you will do fine.

Good luck

**Ms. N** · 06-17-2006, 08:59 PM

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. It seems like interviews are nothing more than educational jargon and sabre-rattling.

**JohnBoy** · 06-17-2006, 09:06 PM

Honestly, when interviewing to get a position, you have to sound like the person they would want. And a lot of administrators love jargon (eduspeak?) for a number of reasons. Of course, it's sort of hard to tell if one does or not- I think a lot of admins take classes in how to be inscrutable.

**Mathematical Mary** · 06-17-2006, 09:50 PM

If ever I decide to change schools, I've decided that when they are interviewing me, I'll be interviewing them as well. If they don't meet my criteria, then I won't work for them.

I do hope you've formulated a whole list of questions to ask them that are important to YOU. If your philosophies don't match up with those who will be putting pressure on you, you will find yourself miserable and regularly rubbing people the wrong way.

This technique is a good way to express that you are confident in your abilities and competence and interested in finding a long-term (perhaps career long) placement.

Best of luck on your search!

**Ms. N** · 06-22-2006, 01:41 AM

Well, yesterday was the interview and it went GREAT! It lasted three hours in fact. I am waiting to hear back on the date I go back to teach a sample class and be observed.

Thank you again to all of you for your superb suggestions!

Here is the school:

[url="http://www.southwesternacademy.edu/"]http://www.southwesternacademy.edu/[/url]