What would you like to change?

Teachers are never "finished products."  They are always a "work in progress."  That goes for those just beginning their teaching career as much as it does for us "old dogs" who've been around for a few years.  I've always maintained that, "The best teachers are those who have as much to learn as they do to teach."

In that vein, here is a question that, in one form or another, often pops up in many interviews.  If you're not prepared for it, it will certainly throw you off.  Be ready for this one - it's a great question and how you answer it says a lot about who you are as a future educator.

     What aspect of your teaching style would you like to change?

     A:   Like many teachers I guess I have a tendency to ask far too many low-level questions.  I learned from my professors that students can become more involved in a topic when they are asked significantly more high-level questions.  “Analyzing,” “Creating,” and “Evaluating” questions provide additional thinking and problem-solving opportunities for students.  I’m working hard to make sure I include more of those kinds of questions in each and every discussion I have with students.

Never try to come across as the “perfect teacher.”  You are just beginning in this profession and the interviewer knows it.  She or he knows that you have some “rough edges” – and she or he wants to know if you are aware of that.  Take the time before the interview to list some of your minor issues or concerns and (specifically) what you are doing to alter or change them.  Show that you are always improving; that you are always trying to be a little bit better than you are.