I have my very first teacher interview and am so nervous. What should I do to prepare, put in portfolio?

Question

I am interviewing in NC, but am from PA, so I am really not familiar with the standards. All my student teaching was done in 6th grade and this interview is for 3rd grade. Only 4 people are interviewing for the position to start end of Jan. I am SO nervous, so any help at all would be truly appreciated. All my college buddies haven't interviewed at all yet, they are depending on me to let them know how it goes.

Answer 1

I've switched states, too, and gone from student teaching third grade to teaching seventh. (Yikes!) Get yourself prepared for this interview by visiting the NC Department of Education website. Usually websites have great links to standards and even sample tests that you can look over. In an interview question, then, you can reference a specific standard--"I know that third graders need to be able to summarize a piece of nonfiction text"--and address how you would teach that. Also, don't be afraid to call the school and ask if there are any initiatives or assessments they have in place. For instance, if teachers are expected to teach guided reading, you want to make sure that you have a good understanding of what guided reading is. If they are using a particular approach, like inquiry science or Everyday Math, you want to have at least a surface knowledge of that.

If you prepare a portfolio, be ready to use it to illustrate key points in your interview. If they ask a question about differentiating instruction, for instance, you could turn to a lesson plan and say, "Here is how I planned this lesson, this is what I did to meet the needs of every learner..." This is very powerful.

Finally, find out about the characteristics of third graders. "Yardsticks" by Chip Wood (from the Responsive Classroom people) is a great resource that tells what students of different ages are like, and how their classrooms should be arranged. The Responsive Classroom website probably has some of this information as well. If you can find a third grade teacher who would be willing to let you come in for a few hours to observe, even if it's in PA, you would have a better idea of what you're jumping into.

Good luck!

Answer 2

This website has information about what to include in your portfolio and what to expect in the interview. It can also help you update your resume and cover letter. It is from a major university and targets recent graduates from Education programs.

Answer 3

Be efficient and furnish eye touch: those are the keys! do no longer without delay element out you're a student or desire to be till they ask. do no longer element out some ingredient which you do no longer ought to. gown semi-formally, because it is not as once you're utilising for the presidents workplace - like formal shirt and pants. do no longer fairly want the completed go well with, you are able to wherein a tie if youin case you desire to. attempt to no longer slouch - nicely posture. Smile persistently, be extremely joyful yet severe. Emphasize your know-how and the form you will have the means to observe those to the situation. supply your previous memories. seek accessible interview question in google or something, and practice your ideas previously to realize have confidence. yet don't be afraid if those do no longer look the equivalent questions asked. %. your self and communicate for sure. attempt to no longer respond with one word ideas.

Answer 4

I think you should know the syllabus by heart and you should be prepared to explain anypart clearly, that's the most important thing in my opinion..Don't worry about the standards, just make yourself clear..