Advice from Teachers

I have an interview on Monday. Everyone's been telling me the types of questions I should prepare for. How about some answers? LOL! Seriously, any advice? It's only for a sub interview but hopefully I'll have more interviews (for a real teaching job) soon!

Re: Advice from Teachers

Ok, a trick question they ALWAYS ask is what age group you like best. This is a trap! Tell them you love them all equally!

Re: Advice from Teachers

LOL, someone else just told me the same thing, but he told me to pick a grade bc he thought they were trying to see if he was giving his scripted answers or what he really felt. I agree with you though! I would totally say every grade equally! It's true in a way! They all have their ups and downs. Thanks! Anything else? The reading philosophy question always kills me.

Re: Advice from Teachers

what subject are you applying for? one of my math professors last night was telling us the questions he asked on interviews and we were like ***??? he wanted the candidates to prove theorems and formulas. talk about pressure!!!

Re: Advice from Teachers

Well, I've been lucky, because I NEVER get interviewed by someone who actually knows about music, so I never really have to answer questions related to that. but I always get the 'how would you handle a child in the classroom who was acting out and disrupting the other children?' They will try to corner you into answering one sided on an aspect of teaching that is multi-dimensional. I always make sure to answer with things like, 'I feel it's important to be able to have twice as many approaches to a subject as you have students because no child learns the same,' and 'I find being flexible is a key aspect to being a good teacher. You can plan all you want, but being able to deal with the unexpected and turn it into a positive experience is what will really help in the end.' Or some other crap to that extent. I guess it works because I've been offered every teaching job I've ever interviewed for!

Re: Advice from Teachers

I'm applying for ELED positions. 121502...here's the deal...you can go to these interviews and say you're me. I won't be mad, I swear.

Re: Advice from Teachers

ps -- karen --- that sounds like a freaking nightmare. why do they make these interviews so hard?? i swear i think it's easier to be president of the US sometimes.

Re: Advice from Teachers

One time on an interview one of the questions was either tell them about a book you just read or tell them a joke... strange! It was for a special ed job

Re: Advice from Teachers

Oh jeez. There is no way in hell I'd be able to come up with a joke on the spot. And the only books I'm reading are teacher's manuals and kids books! This is making me more nervous!

Re: Advice from Teachers

the book doesn't have to be so recent...but think of a classic that you have read...and use that...say you just reread it...


heres a question that could be a 'trap'

what do you do if a student is consistantly acting out...


the answer (at least for JHS and HS level - maybe elems want to comment)

first ask the student...pull them aside...never in front of class...and ask them if something is bothering them (btw...i have had graduating seniors thanking me for asking if anything was wrong when they were sophomores)...talk to them about how their behaviro affects the class and if it continues you will have to take further steps...


next call the parent....LAST and only in EXTREME situations...get an administrator involved....


the idea is that you can handle these issues on your own and don't have to be babysat...


good luck...I'll try to think of more...

Re: Advice from Teachers

You know what I find funny? Is that they ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ask if you are patient. What am I going to say...no? No, I'm sorry, but at the first sign of a child acting out, I tend to kick them out the door on the seat of their pants. Geez. So stupid. I hate interviews. I'd rather be thrown into a classroom and have them say, ok, you teach, we'll watch. So much easier talking to kids!

Re: Advice from Teachers

Totally! You guys are awesome! Thanks so much!