| A teacher interview discussion panel is held at the end | | | | 4. Research the school and the district!! The |
| of each semester as part of the teacher Alternative | | | | administrators want to know that you have done your |
| Certification Program at Manatee Community College. | | | | homework. You should know everything you possibly |
| The panel is made up of myself and four | | | | can about that school/district. Know the mission |
| administrators (1 elementary, 2 middle school, and 1 high | | | | statement and any major current initiatives that are |
| school). | | | | underway in the school district. |
| We each spend about 15-20 minutes talking and | | | | 5. Research the people conducting the interview. Just |
| answering questions about how to land a teacher | | | | as much as they want a quality teacher they want |
| interview, what we think the most likely teacher | | | | someone that they can work well with...they are |
| interview questions will be, and how to answer each | | | | looking for a relationship...a good fit! |
| interview question. | | | | 6. They will Google you! Therefore make sure to |
| I can't help, but think what an advantage these | | | | Google yourself and see what comes up. |
| student-teachers have...they actually get to pick the | | | | 7. Get rid of your MySpace account. |
| brains of administrators in their own county prior to | | | | 8. Have a professional email address...Don't make silly |
| going on their first teacher interview! | | | | mistakes like having an email such as |
| Below are ten teacher interview tips that the | | | | sexylove69@aol. |
| administrators shared at the teacher interview | | | | 9. Even the high school administrators want to know |
| discussion panel: (This is right from the horse's mouth) | | | | how teachers get parents involved. Yes, the high |
| 1. Definitely hand-deliver your resume. An administrator | | | | school administrator expects teachers to call parents |
| MAY very well interview you on the spot. Two of the | | | | too! |
| administrators admitted that for certain teaching | | | | 10. Be prepared to explain how you cover something |
| positions they have their secretaries contact them | | | | that you are NOT interested in. Many teachers |
| immediately if someone comes in to drop off a | | | | prepare for the question, "Take me through one of |
| resume. | | | | your favorite lessons", but these administrators always |
| 2. If you are substitute teaching to get your foot in the | | | | ask, "How would you teach something that you do not |
| door remember...everyday is a job interview...dress the | | | | want to cover but must." This is a great question, |
| part, become part of the school community, and make | | | | because the reality is you will not enjoy teaching every |
| contacts! | | | | part of your curriculum. |
| 3. Make as many contacts as you can. This is a | | | | The teacher interview discussion panel really clearly |
| teacher's greatest resource when trying to land a | | | | gave everyone involved a huge advantage over the |
| teacher interview. A phone call from a teacher or | | | | competition I hope you can take something away from |
| another administrator...even if they don't know the each | | | | my brief overview of the day and use it successfully |
| other...will often get you the interview. | | | | at your next teacher interview. |