What Frustrated You?

Most interviewers include questions designed to probe how you react to criticism.  Are you someone who blames everyone else when things don’t go right?  Or, are you someone who takes advice and uses it in a positive way to become a better teacher?  How you answer these questions will determine whether you are a "team player" or someone who blames everyone else for your mistakes or over sights.  Here's a typical question:

     Tell me about a situation that frustrated you during student teaching

     A:   I was frustrated when my college supervisor made me write out my lesson plans for the first ten weeks of student teaching.  Many of my friends only had to write complete lesson plans for the first four weeks and then they went to “block plans.”  However, in talking with my supervisor I learned that it is always advisable to over-plan – that is, write lesson plans that are more detailed and more involved early in the teaching process.  I discovered the advantage of that on two occasions – once when an assembly had to be cancelled and another when a teacher on our social studies team called in sick at the last minute.  I sure was glad to have those extended and expanded lessons – they really came in handy.  I understand now why I was asked to do a lot of over-planning early in my student teaching experience.

This is a grand opportunity for you to show how you turned a negative into a positive.  Notice how the respondent took what could have been an "easy way out" and made it something special.  I can assure you that this is someone a principal definitely wants to hire.

 

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It's now the season for interviews.  Make sure you are ready for this all-important event in your professional career.  Be sure to get your copy of Ace Your Teacher Interview (http://amzn.to/2p2D1Xk).

Are You Qualified?

Every once in a while you'll be asked a "zinger."  A "zinger" is a question you don't expect or a question from "out of the blue" - one an interviewer might ask just to see how well-prepared you are.  These questions are often unexpected, but how you answer them may well determine if you are the one candidate offered a position.  Be prepared!  Here's a typical query sometimes dropped into an interview conversation.

     Do you believe you’re qualified for this position?

     A:   Absolutely!  I had terrific experiences in all my college methods courses.  I was exposed to several different philosophies of teaching from some very exciting and very engaging professors.  I actively participated in the Student Education Association and effectively coordinated the annual teaching conference on campus.  I especially appreciated all the learning opportunities I had as a student teacher.  My college supervisor continually challenged me to be a better teacher and my cooperating teacher was an absolute inspiration.  I sometimes can’t believe the incredible growth I’ve made as a teacher and I want to continue that process here at Parkwood Middle School.

You may not be asked this question directly, but it’s one that needs to be answered nevertheless.  Be sure to exude confidence and poise in your response – the interviewer wants to know if you are sincere, or are just trying to pull the wool over his or her eyes.  Be sure to cite some specific examples of your qualifications – examples that can be recorded on the interviewer’s sheet of notes from the interview.

 

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