Interviewing Tips

This is from the old blog, dated March 30, 2007.

INTERVIEWING TIPS

At our last meeting, Joe Cuddemi (the principal at Kinard Jr. High) came in to speak with us. He gave a passionate and motivating talk about teaching, and he gave us tons of great practical interviewing tips. We took them down and they are posted below.

INTERVIEWING TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR

1. Do your research on the school and district.

2. Meet people in the school and build connections.

3. Talk about instruction; speak to how YOU can make an impact.

4. Explain your desire to contribute to a healthy, cooperative school culture.

5. Talk about student-engagement. What is engagement? How do you know when students are engaged? How can you improve student engagement?

6. Articulate your methods. Explain cooperative learning, assessment, and feedback.

7. Talk about your role as an English teacher. The English teacher has a leadership role in a school for ALL reading and writing, even across departments.

8. Think about flexible creativity. Ask yourself: can I do whatever it takes to reach students?

9. Understand that classroom management is a byproduct of relationships, instruction, and meaningfulness in school. Everything should have meaning.

10. Talk about professional learning communities. Know how to discuss these.

11. Be able to explain how you will modify your instruction to reach students. (Differentiation, ya’ll.)

12. Don’t be afraid to show your passion. It separates you from the pack as a young teacher. You may not have experience, but your passion for learning and improving can easily compensate.

13. Show your communication skills. Build trust in your professional community so that together, your school can best reach students.

14. When going into your first year, the recommendation from your cooperating teacher is supremely important. Make sure you have a good relationship in that regard.

15. Don’t be afraid to get deeply involved in your new school. It is well worth it.