Any tips for first year teacher who is interviewing with schools?

Question

I will soon be interviewing for multiple school systems in the hopes of landing a lateral entry position in North Carolina. I am very nervous about the interviews because I am passionate about teaching and I am afraid I will ruin my chances with a bad interview. I think what worries me the most is that I am a lateral entry hire (meaning I have a history degree, not an education degree, which is acceptable in NC) and I am currently traveling/living in New Zealand. I have been out of the United States since my graduation from college in May 2006, traveling and working throughout the world. I have been corresponding with the various school systems for a while now, and they know my situation. But, I do not know what kind of questions they will ask, so I do not even know where to begin preparing for the interview. Anyone have any tips or advice for me as I will be interviewing in about a month? ANY HELP IS WELCOME!

Answer 1

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Any tips for first year teacher who is interviewing with schools?
I will soon be interviewing for multiple school systems in the hopes of landing a lateral entry position in North Carolina. I am very nervous about the interviews because I am passionate about teaching and I am afraid I will ruin my chances with a bad interview. I think what worries me the most is...

Answer 2

I was able to find these tips:

1. Dress well, but comfortable (if necessary wear what
you intend to wear to the interview around the house
for a day, so you do not fidget).

2. Go prepared; take with you everything you will need in
a briefcase etc. My suggestions are notes (see point 3)
deodorant, resume or certificates, breath mints (very
important), water and what ever else you might need.

3. Notes, make notes about yourself, things that you want
to tell them. Computer experience, hobbies, strengths
weaknesses (they always ask that) etc.

4. Research, make sure you look them up and make more
notes about them, when the company was started, who
runs it etc. If you can, slip a question about them into
the conversation. Then they will see how much you
know about them already (is quite impressive).

5. Be exactly fifteen minutes early for your interview. It
always looks good; a half hour is too early.

6. Take your own pen. They always have things for you to
fill out so be ready.

7. Make notes about the job, and questions that you
might have. Don't be afraid to pull out your notes in the
interview and consult them.

8. Be confident. Image is everything. Don't betray the
fact that you are freaking out. Think about what you
say before you say it. Don't start a sentence without
knowing where you're going with it. Don't look down
when they are talking to you or when you are talking
to them, look them in the eye.

9. Be honest, if they ask you how good you are at
something and you know you are crap at it dont say
good, they'll know. Say something like "I am not as
practiced at it as I would like to be".

10. Always remember to put in that you are a quick
learner (they love to hear that).

11. Shake their hand with a firm handshake and say
"I appreciate your time" or "Thank you for meeting
with me".

12. Don't interrupt or be overly eager, be quietly confident.
Let them tell you about the job (lets face it, most people
love the sound of their own voice). Don't get excited
and talk fast or sound desperate. Always stick to the
point.

13. Don't act uncertain. Keep telling yourself that you
already have this job and the meeting is a formality.

14. If the opportunity arrives tell a (short) funny story or
joke (not rude, racist, sexist or otherwise inflammatory)
this will help you to relax and help them see how easily
you are coping with the interview. But only once or
twice, don't go overboard.

15. Practice your serious listening face in the mirror.
Get good at it. This will be the mask you hide behind
whilst your insides are turning to jelly.

Good Luck....

Answer 3

Research the school, what do other teachers wear? The students and their diversity. Behaviour management adopted by the school. Show that you are enthusiastic and that your world travels have helped you understand different cultures and types of learners. Be prepared for the Principal's questions on behavioural management and lesson preparation. Check the curriculum and syllabus, talk to other teachers. Be yourself, show who you are and that you are not afraid to tackle new things. Emphasises on your strenghts. But don't be arrogant, like I know all. Be humble and listen to the interviewer, give time to yourself to think over any question. Don't worry too much. Good luck.

Answer 4

They'll ask you about your classroom management philosophy, special education/inclusion programs, your teaching philosophy, how you use technology in the classroom... lots of stuff.

There's a really good eBook I bought that lists the 45 most common teacher interview questions. It also tells you how to answer each one. And it has interview tips and advice. I think it's 20 bucks, but probably worth it if it helps you get a job. Check it out: http://www.iwantateachingjob.com

Good luck with your job search!!

Answer 5

I hope you realize that history jobs are extremely hard to come by, especially for lateral entry. You need to find a way to market yourself that will make you stick out above others. Most of the time schools are looking for teachers who are also willing to coach.

Answer 6

you have already crossed one of the biggest hurdles by contacting and communicating with the schools

that personal touch will help you

administrations aren't out to hate people
they want to find good people as quickly and easily as possible

if they like you already the battle is half done, all you have to do is remain calm and keep them liking you

after all, they already have your resume and can SEE that you have the qualifications to do the job...the interview is about getting to know the person

there was something they saw in you already, something that caused them to set up the interview with you....KEEP THAT IN MIND

they aren't so much looking to hear what you are going to say as seeing your personality and your temperament

smile....make eye contact but don't get into staring contests...be confident and if you realize you said something silly smile and excuse yourself and reiterate in a slightly different way what you had originally meant to say
...they will like that you not just speaking without thought

Answer 7

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN....Concentrate all your answers around the benefit for the KIDS...
TEAMWORK...IT is a key clue when TEaching
DO some Research about the school and school district before you go to the interview, so you can have some knowledge of the place you want to work at!!

Good Luck

Answer 8

I personally feel get prepared to answer question on lines of teaching and not on your subject.Be focussed and get ready to have a student centric class and how you would motivate your students with more of group activity rather than the lecture method.best of luck