Themes - Part IV

     A good interview is one in which the candidate demonstrates several competencies.  These final two themes are those every school administrator looks for in new teachers.  Make these part of your philosophy and resume and you will demonstrate that you have the "chops" to make a difference in the classroom and a difference in the lives of students.



7.  Lesson Planning

            A lesson plan is only a guide.  A well-designed lesson plan is flexible, subject to change, and reflective of the individual needs of each and every student in the classroom.  A good lesson plan provides an outline for the accomplishment of specific tasks, while at the same time allowing for a measure of flexibility in terms of student interests and needs.  You need to demonstrate to any interviewer your familiarity with lesson design as well how you are able to tailor lessons to the specific instructional needs of your students.  Be prepared to be detailed and specific as well as flexible and accommodating.
            Please relate the process you go through when planning a typical lesson.  Please share some ways in which you have assessed students.  What are the essential components of an effective lesson?  Think of a recent lesson you taught and share the steps that you incorporated to deliver the lesson.  Share your process of short and long-term planning for delivering effective instruction.  Think of a lesson that was ineffective or did not meet your expectations – what adaptations did you make to address the lesson?  How do you infuse technology to enhance your instruction?  It’s critical that you provide an interviewer with insight into your lesson planning, lesson delivery, and lesson assessment.  Anecdotes and examples must be critical elements of your responses.

8.  Flexibility

            Can you ‘roll with the punches?”  Can you “go with the flow?”  Can you “change directions in midstream?”  Can you “bend in the wind”?  All these questions have to do with perhaps the most significant attribute of any good teacher – flexibility.  Interviewers want to know that they will get the most “bang for the buck” – that you can handle a wide variety of classroom situations, a wide range of teaching challenges, and a wide array of changes, modifications, or alterations – all at a moment’s notice.  Your willingness and eagerness to present yourself as someone who can adapt without getting flustered or change without getting upset is a key attribute – an attribute that can often “nail” the interview.
            Are you willing to teach at another grade (elementary)?  Are you willing to teach another subject area (secondary)?  How would you handle a fire drill in the middle of your favorite lesson?  What if we brought in a brand new reading series next week, what would you do?  Are you comfortable with change?  Would you be willing to work in an after-school program?  Administrators are always interested in individuals they can use in a variety of situations.  The willingness to be flexible and the desire to quickly adjust to change are both positive characteristics valued in any school.