Resolving Classroom Conflicts

A principal or interviewer wants to hear, not just about the successes you’ve had, but also how you have dealt with some of the inevitable challenges of day-to-day teaching.  As a result, here's a question you're likely to get:

Describe a time in student teaching when you failed to resolve a classroom conflict.

A:   We had this student in second grade – Matthew – who was very hyperactive.  He was on meds, but his parents always forgot to give him his medication before he came to school.  As a result, one of us had to maintain very close proximity to Matthew throughout the day in order to keep him in check.  In hindsight, I would have worked harder to establish open lines of communication with his parents.  I would have created a more intensive classroom behavior modification program that would have rewarded Matthew for good behavior.  I would have focused more on those times when Matthew exhibited good behavior and would have established a concrete plan of action to record those successes.

In responding, always focus on the positive – never blame a student or his parents.  Show what you learned as a result of this experience and how you might use that experience to address a similar challenge in the future.  Keep the spotlight on the fact that you are vitally interested in improving your teaching skills and that you are always willing to grow and learn.

Are You a Team Player?

One of the essential “ingredients” in every new employee is the ability to work well with others and the ability to be part of a highly functioning team.  The interviewer wants to know how you will become part of the “education team” and that your personality will complement the staff already in place.  Here's a question you're likely to hear (in one form or another) in almost any interview.

    How will you compliment this school?

     A:   I particularly enjoy an environment in which there is a great deal of camaraderie and support.  My two previous visits to Deer Valley High School revealed that teachers here are quite supportive of each other.  There are book discussion groups, teacher-led in-service meetings, and several social events throughout the year.  There is a spirit of cooperation and collegial support throughout the school – a sprit I can embrace and prosper in.

This is an opportunity to assure the interviewer that you are a true “team player.”  You’ll also note that this is a good question to determine whether you have done your homework on the school prior to your interview.