Hiring Workshop Interviewing Techniques and Strategies Office of Strategic Teacher Recruitment and Staffing Spring 2014 © TNTP 2014 Our session will cover: Knowing what to expect Preparing for the interview Making a good first impression Interviewing practice What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Questions /2 Knowing what to expect Interview Type Overview Job Fair • • • Network with principals during meet-and-greet Interview with principals if invited to interview during meet-and-greet portion Possibly schedule a follow-up interview at the school Standard • • Held at the school for 30-60 minutes Interview with principal or the school’s hiring team Demonstration Lesson • • Create lesson plan Teach lesson during school hours or during interview Debrief and reflect with principal or hiring team • /3 Our session will cover: Knowing what to expect Preparing for the interview Making a good first impression Interviewing practice What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Questions /4 Preparing for the interview Plan to bring:   Multiple copies of your resume and professional references  Printed TEM Scores  Letter(s) of recommendation from your principal  Sample lesson plans and portfolios  Pen and notebook for note-taking Available student achievement data /5 Preparing for the interview An elementary principal I work with requests that candidates bring: o Resume o 2012-13 TEM scores o 2013-2014 TEM scores thus far o Tripod survey results o 2012-13 TCAP scores o 2013-14 DEA Test A and Test B scores for both reading and math /6 Preparing for the interview If you’ll be teaching a demonstration lesson, plan in advance to:  State the objective of the lesson clearly  Use a hook to grab attention and help students make a connection.  Include: modeling, guided practice, and independent practice  Use an activity that engages the students  Check for student understanding throughout the lesson  Plan for differentiation and strategies for re-teaching if necessary  Prepare to debrief and reflect on how the lesson could be better /7 Our session will cover: Knowing what to expect Preparing for the interview Making a good first impression Interviewing practice What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Questions /8 Making a good first impression o Dress professionally (a suit is preferred) o If asked, briefly explain the reason you are seeking another position, but be positive o Demonstrate your interest in the school o Answer the interview questions o Highlight your experience and achievements o Prepare thoughtful questions to ask o Thank the interviewer(s) and gather follow-up information /9 Making a good first impression o Don’t arrive late o Don’t bring external frustrations to the interview o Don’t speak negatively of previous employers and/or colleagues o Don’t make claims without providing evidence o Don’t downplay your achievements o Don’t ask questions about things you can learn on your own o Don’t expect to receive an immediate offer / 10 Our session will cover: Knowing what to expect Preparing for the interview Making a good first impression Interviewing practice What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Questions / 11 Interviewing practice Principals may ask some of the following questions: o Tell me about yourself. o Why did you become a teacher? o Why are you interested in education? o Why are you searching for a new position? o What are you looking for in a school community? o What does classroom management system look like? o How do you handle disruptive students? o What is the most important contribution you can make to your students? / 12 Interviewing practice Principals may ask some of the following questions: Tell me about yourself. Why did you become a teacher? Why are you interested in education? Why are you searching for a new position? What are you looking for in a school community? What does classroom management system look like? How do you handle disruptive students? What is the most important contribution you can make to your students? / 13 Interviewing practice Use these steps to help you formulate your answer: o Understand what the question is asking o Make a general statement that you will support with evidence o Provide pieces of supporting evidence to back up your answer:  Evidence  Evidence  Evidence / 14 Interviewing practice How do you handle disruptive students? Abstract Answer I maintain discipline in the classroom. Concrete Answer I institute a classroom management system that includes an escalating series of consequences for inappropriate behavior and positive reinforcement for productive behavior. For example, if a student is talking during class, the first consequence I give is a warning, the second is a meeting during lunch, and the third is a meeting with parents. I apply this system consistently to all students to create a classroom environment that minimizes disruptions and encourages learning. / 15 Interviewing practice How do you differentiate instruction for students in your class? Abstract Answer I teach lessons to account for different learning styles. Concrete Answer I differentiate lessons based on learning styles and based on student mastery. When I plan lessons, I make sure to include visuals for visual learns, movement for kinesthetic learnings, and clear verbal explanations for auditory learners. Additionally, I differentiate based on how quickly my students pick up on new material. I create 3 different independent practice activities: 1 for my lower level learners, 1 for my middle-of-the-road learners, and 1 for my higher level learners. Based on classroom data from exit quizzes, assessments, and checks for understanding, I place students into one of these groups and assign them the corresponding independent practice assignment. Doing this ensures that I’m meeting students where they are and pushing their learning appropriately. / 16 Our session will cover: Knowing what to expect Preparing for the interview Making a good first impression Interviewing practice What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Questions / 17 What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Fit Skills Evidence • Fit with school culture • Willingness and enthusiasm for involvement outside the classroom (e.g., tutoring, after school activities, sports) • Effective classroom management • The ability to engage students with a variety of learning styles • The ability to analyze student data and use it to inform lesson planning • The ability to give examples from your experience • Data, which shows student achievement in your class • Sample lesson and/or unit plan / 18 Interviewing Tips to Remember Before the interview • Research the school and learn about its culture prior to the interview • Gather your resume, references, and classroom data • Prepare a sample lesson with a clear objective, engaging activity, and strong plan • Prepare thoughtful questions for principals During the interview • Be confident • Provide specific examples to support general answers • Listen to the interviewer(s) and answer their questions • Make eye contact with the interviewer(s) throughout the interview After the interview • Send a thank you note via email to reaffirm your interest in the position • Give principals time to respond to you • Make sure all your communications are professional. Proofread before sending them! • Remember—every communication you have with the staffing manager or staff members at a school is part of your application to that school / 19 Our session will cover: Knowing what to expect Preparing for the interview Making a good first impression Interviewing practice What SCS principals are looking for in candidates Questions / 20 Office of Strategic Teacher Recruitment and Staffing Website www.teachmemphis.org Hotline 901.416.9905 Email [email protected] Mailing Address 2597 Avery Ave; Room 148-B Memphis, TN 38112 / 21