Getting a teaching job requires solid interviewing skills and a well put together teacher portfolio. It is important to keep in mind common interview questions perspective teachers are asked. Be sure to practice answering these questions with a friend or family member, and have them critique your answers to help you prepare for the interview.
Interview Questions for Teachers
Almost any job you interview for will include the interview question: "Tell me a little bit about yourself." This is a dangerous question unless you have a well prepared answer. The principal does NOT want to know where you were born or why you chose the college that you are attending.
Here is your chance to demonstrate your love for children, why you choose teaching, and what impact you hope to make on your students. In preparation, write out your answer and time it. Your answer should not take longer than 1-2 minutes to give. Make every word count.
Include Classroom Management Plan in Teacher Portfolio
The classroom management plan is something that you should have prepared in your teacher portfolio. When asked this question, open your portfolio, and show, in writing, your thought out behavior management plan. You should share classroom rules that you have decided on for the particular grade level you want to teach and a list of consequences and motivators. Explain how you will keep students focused and how you will handle any discipline problem that comes up.
Include Lesson Plan Examples in Teacher Portfolio
When asked about a lesson that you taught that went well, you have your chance to sell yourself! Open your teacher portfolio to a well written lesson plan that you taught. Ideally you should include pictures of your students or yourself as you taught the lesson, as well as samples of whatever the students did during the lesson. Show your excitement for the lesson itself, and focus on the learning that occurred through the lesson as well as your connection with the students. Showing that you can get students excited about learning is a big selling point.
Prepare a Lesson Plan to Teach During an Interview
Some schools have you prepare and teach a sample lesson during your interview. You will know about this ahead of time. Be aware of the time limits, and whenever possible, get your students up, out of their seats and moving around during the lesson.
Prepare your lesson so that you can end it early if you run out of time, and have plenty of additional material in case the lesson ends up not taking as much time as you thought. Plan for unresponsive students and incorrect answers to questions. Make this the best lesson you have ever taught, and include a copy of the lesson plan in your teacher portfolio.
Preparing for an interview is important. Know your school; demonstrate that you have done your research, and practice all of your answers before arriving. Spend extra time preparing your teacher portfolio and remember that even the best interview may not result in a job as some markets are very tight. Do the best you can, and never turn an interview down so that you will have plenty of practice.
Learn more tips for getting a job as a teacher.
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