| When you get a call from a school administrator | | | | have your classroom rules posted clearly on the |
| inviting you to interview for a teaching job, how do you | | | | walls. You set common routines that students |
| feel? Happy? Elated? Excited? Nervous? Scared | | | | follow. You adhere to the school's discipline guidelines. |
| stiff? | | | | Also, emphasize that you suspect discipline problems |
| You don't need to worry about the interview if you're | | | | will be minimal because your lessons are very |
| a well-prepared, qualified candidate. Preparing for a | | | | interesting and engaging to students. Don't tell the |
| teaching interview is a lot like studying for a test. You | | | | interviewer that you "send kids to the principal's office" |
| can review commonly asked questions, think about | | | | whenever there is a problem. You should be able to |
| what you'll say beforehand, and go in to do your best. | | | | handle most discipline problems on your own. Only |
| If you prepare beforehand, the interview questions will | | | | students who have committed very serious behavior |
| seem routine and familiar. You'll have answers on the | | | | problems should be sent to the office. |
| tip of your tongue, ready-to-go. | | | | 5. How do you make sure you meet the needs |
| Below is a list of six commonly asked teacher | | | | of a student with an IEP? |
| interview questions from my eBook, Guide to Getting | | | | An IEP is an "individualized education plan."Â |
| the Teaching Job of Your Dreams. How would you | | | | Students with special needs will be given an IEP, or a |
| answer each question? | | | | list of things that you must do when teaching the |
| 1. Tell us about yourself. | | | | child. An IEP might include anything from |
| This will be the first question at almost every | | | | "additional time for testing" to "needs all test questions |
| interview. Just give a brief background in about | | | | read aloud" to "needs to use braille textbook." |
| three sentences. Tell them what colleges you | | | | How do you ensure you're meeting the needs of a |
| graduated from, what you're certified to teach, what | | | | student with an IEP? First, read the IEP |
| your teaching & working experiences are, and why | | | | carefully. If you have questions, consult a |
| you'd love the job. | | | | special education teacher, counselor, or other staff |
| 2. How do you teach to the state standards? | | | | member who can help you. Then, you just |
| If you interview in the United States, school | | | | make sure you follow the requirements on the IEP |
| administrators love to talk about state, local, or national | | | | word for word. When necessary, you may be |
| standards! Reassure your interviewer that | | | | asked to attend a meeting in which you can make |
| everything you do ties into standards. Be sure | | | | suggestions for updating the IEP. Your goal, and |
| the lesson plans in your portfolio have the state | | | | the goal of the IEP, is to make sure the student has |
| standards typed right on them. When they ask | | | | whatever he or she needs to be successful in your |
| about them, pull out your lesson and show them the | | | | class. |
| close ties between your teaching and the standards. | | | | 6. How do you communicate with parents? |
| 3. How will you prepare students for | | | | This question will come up at almost every elementary |
| standardized assessments? | | | | school interview. It's fairly common in the middle school |
| There are standardized assessments at almost every | | | | and high school as well. You might have a |
| grade level. Be sure you know the names of | | | | weekly parent newsletter that you send home each |
| the tests. Talk about your experiences | | | | week. For grades 3 and up, you may require |
| preparing students. You'll get bonus points if you | | | | students to have an assignment book that has to be |
| know and describe the format of the test because | | | | signed each night. This way, parents know |
| that will prove your familiarity. | | | | what assignments are given and when projects are |
| 4. Describe your discipline philosophy. | | | | due. When there are discipline problems you call |
| You use lots of positive reinforcement. You are | | | | home and talk to parents. It's important to have |
| firm, but you don't yell. You have appropriate | | | | an open-door policy and invite parents to share their |
| consequences for inappropriate behavior. You | | | | concerns at any time. |