Common Sense

      As I gather my research and write my book - Ace Your Teacher Interview - several people have told me, "You know, what you're writing is just plain common sense!"  And, they're right - it is common sense.  But, I'm also discovering that most of this "common sense" has never been gathered together into one source, one resource book, one all-inclusive reference guide.  I'm also learning from principals and administrators around the country that, in spite of all that common sense, prospective teachers are still making mistakes - big mistakes and little mistakes - mistakes sufficient to derail their chances at gaining employment.
     All of that was brought home recently when I interviewed an elementary principal.  I asked her if she had any memorable interview anecdotes.  She told me the following story:

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK:      “There was one interview I’ll never forget.  A few years ago a young man – I’ll call him Jason - came into my office for his initial interview.  We exchanged a few pleasantries and then I asked him the first question: ‘Tell me a little about yourself.’  He paused for a few seconds and then reached into his briefcase and pulled out an elaborate hand puppet.  He slipped the puppet over his right hand and it was the hand puppet who ‘answered’ the question.  Using a falsetto voice, Jason manipulated the hand puppet – whom he had named ‘Bob’ - and had ‘Bob’ respond directly to me.  Slightly taken aback (I’d never had a puppet talk to me before), I decided to proceed.  So, I asked Jason to tell me why he wanted to be a teacher.  Again, it was ‘Bob’ who answered: “Well Jason wants to be a teacher because he really likes kids and he knows how to get their attention and he also….’  I was still a little stunned – and a little more than amazed - but decided to continue.  I asked about two or three additional questions and each time ‘Bob’ – in a very animated fashion - told me something about Jason.  Finally, after about ten minutes I could take it no longer.  I found a diplomatic way to end the interview, I escorted Jason (and ‘Bob’) back into the outer office, rolled my eyes at my secretary, and went back into my office to try and recover in time for the next interview.  To this day I still have nightmares about that damn puppet.”

     Here's wishing you lots of common sense.