How to prepare and what to expect

 Are you a good match for the school?  Is the school district a good match for you?

 Do your homework on the school and the district  Practice your responses  Prepare a list of school specific questions  Talk with others to get advice

 Your beliefs  Your knowledge about the educational process  Your grasp of your subject content

 One on one  With a committee of teachers and administrators  Know before you go

 This is a formal process so treat it with respect and dress appropriately  Smile, be open, natural and friendly  Make eye contact  Use inclusive language (e.g. gender neutral, no stereo-typing)  Use positive language  Ask for clarification if in doubt  “Brag” about your strengths and accomplishments.  Follow up the interview with a thank you note.

 What can be asked:  Why do you want to teach in this district/school?  What is your philosophy of teaching?  What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?  What makes you unique? Or, Why should we hire you?  What cannot be asked:  Are you married?  Do you have any children?  How old are you?

 Questions related to you personally  Teaching philosophies  Career goals  Reasons for wanting to teach  Questions related to teaching  Instructional Strategies  Classroom Management  Special Education  Planning and Preparation  Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting

1. How is teaching related to learning? What instructional strategies would you use in a Physical Education lesson? How would you adapt your instruction if you had gifted or other special needs students in your class?

1. How would you deal with a disruptive student in your class? How would you deal with students who are constantly off-task? How can you ensure that students in your class behave appropriately?

1. How would you plan for a special needs student? 2. How would you work with the parents of an exceptional student? 3. How might you integrate an exceptional student in your classroom? 4. How do you determine what modifications and accommodations to make for particular students?

1. Explain how you would plan a program for your grade or subject. 2. Describe a lesson you taught that you consider one of your best. 3. Describe the format you use to develop a lesson. 4. How do you ensure that your lessons are aligned with state/national standards?

1. What is your system of evaluating student work? How do you communicate with parents about student progress? What kind of assessment strategies do you use in your classroom?

 This is an important part of the interview  Only ask questions you genuinely want an answer to  Ask questions related to what you know about the position/school/district  Find out what the committee is looking for in the person who is offered this position and then respond to each criteria as it relates to you  Do not ask about pay*