OT: Interview questions

[ddiva]

I'm a new teacher in Florida and will be interviewing in the next 3 weeks. I'm extremely nervous about the interview. I do not have an education background, but am currently taking education classes. What kind of questions can I expect to be asked as a new teacher with no teaching experience? I know there's a DIS'er with some insight. Thank you in advance! Oh, BTW, this is for an elementary position.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

First of all - how are you getting a teaching job without a certificate?

Do you have a B.S. in something else? Are you going for a Probationary Certificate?

Be prepared to discuss in length the District's curriculum in the area you will be teaching.

Be prepared to discuss your philosophy in teaching - It took me a long time to figure out what this truly meant --- now I know -

Be prepared to discuss "Reponse to Intervention" - it's where our Special Education process is going that will require you, the regular Classroom teacher, to collect lots of data in order to assist the special education team determine if a Learning Disability is appropriate.

Be prepared to talk about No Child Left Behind and your philosophy on this topic.

Be prepared to talk about Differentiated Instruction.

Be prepared to discuss your philosophy in Behavior Management and what your strategies would be in certain situations.

Be prepared to discuss how you would handle/react to certain situations with parents.

Good Luck.

 

[Katy Belle]

Have you done ANY teaching? Student teaching, sunday school teaching, babysitting, etc.? A tip someone gave me before interviewing to be a teacher was to give examples of things you have DONE, not just what you would do. Like how you have handled a discipline issue, etc.

Good luck!
Katy

 

[ddiva]

I have a temporary certificate for subject area K-6. My BS degree is in Business, but I am eligible to teach since passing the certification exam. My only experience with teaching is with my own children. I've never taught in a classroom, but have done a few observations and so far have taken 4 education classes: instructional strategies, classroom management, teaching and learning, and technology. It's all apart of an Educator Preparation Institute. This program is designed for individuals like myself, who are changing careers. I've not heard the term "Reponse to Intervention," does this have anything to do with IEP's or inclusion? Thank you so much for all the great information!!!

 

[Lisa_M]

Response to Intervention (RtI) is not just Special Ed's way to help identify learning disabilities in students. It does not have anything to do with IEP's or Inclusion. This happens before identification, for all students. It's a tiered system of helping struggling students through use of research-valdidated interventions for their specific need. For example, a 6 year student is having trouble decoding and the core curriculum is a whole language based program with very little decoding, you wouldn't use comprehension strategies to help the student with the problem.
The great thing about RtI is that through progress monitoring of students reading development, the school can determine if their curriculum is working for their students (at least 80% is the goal). RtI can also deal with behavior problems and math problems, but most districts aren't there yet.

PATTAN is the PA training organization for teachers. Their site has a wealth of info on RtI and others. Here's a link to some good information describing RtI:
http://www.pattan.k12.pa.us/teachlead/ResponsetoIntervention(RtI).aspx

This is the site for the FLorida Center for Reading Research (excellent information about reading programs. If your program is weak in an area you can supplement :
http://www.fcrr.org/

DIBELS-If you don't know about this yet, you should. It's free highly researched and almost used everywhere (because it's free)
http://dibels.uoregon.edu/

Lastly, interventioncentral.org free research based interventions available for teachers, administrators, parents. This is a very useful site.

If you don't know much about something, be truthful about it. Better to be honest, than to misspeak about a particular topic. Advice on the DIS is worth what you paid for it. Research around about topics. The sites I listed are good, check them out and their references. Good luck on your interview.

 

[DawnM]

I have been a teacher and a school counselor for 16 years and I have never once been asked about special education issues.

Most of my questions have been in the area of discipline, classroom management (including academic) how to handle various situations in the classroom and about standards in the subject area.

I have also never been asked about No Child Left Behind. Most administrators know that this is a highly controversial topic and don't want to get caught up in a political discussion. I have only been told, "We are mandated to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act, are you willing to comply with this in your classroom/counseling/etc???"

I would say personally, the best thing you can do is come across as competent but not arrogant. Tell them you have a lot to learn and that you would consider it an honor to join their team and that you have a heart/compassion to see students succeed. Also be sure and mention that you look forward to learning from the more veteran teachers on the staff.

Dawn

 

[DawnM]

I would also HIGHLY recommend you find a newer teacher to talk to. Ask her/him what kinds of questions they were asked. I have found that the things that were important in CA are not even of interest here in NC. Different states are so different.

Dawn

 

[WendyisDarling]

Most of my questions have been in the area of discipline, classroom management (including academic) how to handle various situations in the classroom and about standards in the subject area.

Although now a SAHM, I was a teacher and those were the types of questions I was asked. They may give you a scenario and ask what you would do.
I'm glad to read from a pp that some teachers are asked about sp.ed. issues. As a mom of special needs children, I wish more reg.ed. teachers had more knowledge on the topic. My experience is that they know virtually nothing and at meetings only contribute observations of behaviors, learning and interaction in their classrooms.
Good luck! Confidence is key

 

[ddiva]

Wow, thank you for all the responses. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm excited to join the teaching profession and hope to bring new and fresh ideas to my future students. I will definitely do some research on the topics that have been suggested. Again, thank you!!!