If you have accepted an invitation to attend a teacher interview, your first step in preparing for it should be to research the school and school district. Gain valuable information from the school’s website or call the school directly to ask them some questions.
When preparing for your interview, remember to project a professional image. Dress with care and make sure the image you create through your presentation will complement your conversation, not detract from it.
You only have one chance to make a first impression, and you will want to make a professional impression. Walk into the interview room with extra copies of your professional resume.
It’s important to be yourself. What you sell about yourself and who you are is what you must deliver. A good interviewer will know when you are trying to be someone who you are not. Even if it works during the interview, the school won’t be getting the person they hired.
The point of the interview is to determine if you are a good match for the school. Both you and the school are trying to establish this fact. Many times, this is the determining factor in being offered a position.
If you have prepared fully and have accurately presented yourself and what you can and will do, you should feel confident that you have done all that is within your control. It is now up to the school to make the final decision.
Most interviewers or panels are looking for something specific to complement the school community’s talents, skills, knowledge, and teaching skills. If you are invited back for a second interview, it is clear that the school and school district is interested in you.
The interview questions will usually fall into three categories – your beliefs, knowledge of the educational process, and your grasp of your subject area. Some members of the interview team will want to know your views about students and education. Other interviewers will want to know what you believe about learning and what teaching strategies you use. Further questions will be about your classroom management skills.
They will want to know your position on teaching issues and reforms. Finally, there will be questions to determine how well-versed you are on your subject matter.
Regardless of the interview team’s size, if you state what you believe and base your answers on your experiences and belief system, you will be able to represent yourself and your abilities confidently. The interview panel will be checking your knowledge, making it vital to familiarize yourself with interview questions.
