Eight Interview Themes
Every principal or hiring authority wants to know several things about any teacher candidate. Your success in that interview will be based in large measure on how you fulfill each (and all) of eight basic interview themes. Those who get hired are those who fulfill and embrace these basic educational themes. Those that don't, don't!
Over the course of the next several posts we'll look at each of those themes and see why they are important to your success. You are encouraged to download these, print them out, and tape them to your bathroom mirror or refrigerator door so that you'll see them every day. Memorize them, practice them, and do them...and the interview is yours!
1. A Passion for Teaching
When I interviewed principals across the country for the forthcoming book "Ace Your Teacher Interview" (January 2012) and asked them to identify the single-most important characteristic in a quality teacher candidate, guess what they all told me? You guessed it – “A Passion for Teaching!”
Do you have a passion for teaching? How do you demonstrate that passion? What activities, projects, or assignments have you engaged in that demonstrate your passion for teaching? What have you done that shows you are willing to go the extra mile for students? What have you done that demonstrates your sincere commitment to teaching? Where have you gone above and beyond? Did you do something in student teaching beyond the ordinary? Did you do something during your pre-service years that went above and beyond your college’s requirements for teacher certification? What truly excites you about teaching? What “floats your boat?”
