I have a teaching interview today!!!

[llori7]

I have an interview today at 3pm for a first grade teaching job!!! I am excited and nervous. I have taught for the past 6 years, so I could stay home with my boys!!! Money is tight now, and I REALLY need this job.

Any tips on teaching first grade?? I taught K for 1 year and 2nd for 1 year before staying home.

Please say a prayer that this job works out for me!!! Also, any tips you have for me to nail the interview are greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks so much!!!! I will keep you all posted!!!

 

[Penelope2000]

Look as professional as possible. My Principal joked that she never hired anyone with open toed shoes - she was halfway joking, but I think she was a bit serious.

Have you kept up with the recent trends/methods of teaching reading? Buzz words are important. High stakes testing has very much changed the atmosphere in my school in the last 6+ years. Does the state align with the National Education Standards, or does it have its own State Standards? Can you have a copy of the District Alignment with the Curriculum Frameworks for each of the subjects? I would quickly peek at your State Department of Education website, and see what the recent press releases are, and take a peek at the district's success with the state testing. You could say something like "I notice that "x" school has made "effective progress" in the past year - that is wonderful - what do you attribute this to?"

"Differentiation of instruction" is something teachers always do, but these are major "buzz words" in my district in this past year.

I would ask about the technology in the school, and if there is training for new teachers via professional development opportunities. SmartBoards or Promethean Boards are interactive boards which are FANTASTIC for student learning. Many districts are using them now, and if they are, you will be expected to learn how to use them. If you don't like technology, and are intimidated, I can't tell you enough how much I love using mine.

Hope this helps a little. Go get that job!

 

[DisneyJen1969]

Your experience with grades K and 2 are very helpful--you have experience on both ends of the spectrum-play that up! That helped me when I switched from K to 1.

The previous posters suggestions were great. Have you thought about discipline strategies? How you'll communicate with parents? How you'll make them partners in their child's education?

Sending good thoughts your way!

 

[llori7]

Look as professional as possible. My Principal joked that she never hired anyone with open toed shoes - she was halfway joking, but I think she was a bit serious.

Have you kept up with the recent trends/methods of teaching reading? Buzz words are important. High stakes testing has very much changed the atmosphere in my school in the last 6+ years. Does the state align with the National Education Standards, or does it have its own State Standards? Can you have a copy of the District Alignment with the Curriculum Frameworks for each of the subjects? I would quickly peek at your State Department of Education website, and see what the recent press releases are, and take a peek at the district's success with the state testing. You could say something like "I notice that "x" school has made "effective progress" in the past year - that is wonderful - what do you attribute this to?"

"Differentiation of instruction" is something teachers always do, but these are major "buzz words" in my district in this past year.

I would ask about the technology in the school, and if there is training for new teachers via professional development opportunities. SmartBoards or Promethean Boards are interactive boards which are FANTASTIC for student learning. Many districts are using them now, and if they are, you will be expected to learn how to use them. If you don't like technology, and are intimidated, I can't tell you enough how much I love using mine.

Hope this helps a little. Go get that job!

Thanks! What are some examples on how differentiation of instruction? I am not familiar with that?

 

[pixiewings71]

Good luck!!

 

[daisyduck123]

Two big buzz words right now are "differentiation" & "rigor".

If you can throw those words around a couple of times that might help. I suggest Googling them if time permits.

And good luck!!

 

[Penelope2000]

It just fancy words that mean individualizing instruction so that kids needs are met. The more able children are challenged, while the kids that struggle receive the support that they need. An example: My district has theme matched books with readings at various ability levels. The kids are grouped according to ability and need. That way everyone is challenged at their ability level.

Another example, in spelling, some kids really struggle with rote memorization, but do much better with mnemonic strategies. Or, visual learners may be told to write their spelling words with different colors for different parts of the word. That way they can retrieve the word in their minds eye in a way that is efficient for them. Differentiation just means adapting the teaching of the curriculum in a way for individual needs. Hope this helps.

 

[dvcnewgirl]

Rigor and engagment are big right now.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Rigor,-En...Your-Students-to-Succeed&id=2425872&opt=print