ST. PAUL, Minn. — After obtaining a degree, conquering certification and completing student teaching—the final key to securing a teaching job is mastering the interview. Teachers must be prepared to answer questions about themselves, their teaching philosophies, classroom management styles, curriculum preparation and myriad other topics.
In his new book Ace Your Teacher Interview, Dr. Anthony D. Fredericks describes solid answers to several common questions candidates might face in their teacher interviews. Here are some sample questions Fredericks pinpoints, as well as his tips for answering them.
1. What do you know about this school?
“This is a frequent question in any interview. Simply put, the interviewer wants to know if you’ve done your homework. What do you know about the school other than how many teachers work there and the color of the hallways? Make sure you take the time to pore over school board minutes, the school’s website and any printed newsletters or brochures. Talk with people in the school and learn as much as you can about the climate and philosophy.”
2. Why do you want to teach in this school/district?
“This is a golden opportunity to demonstrate all the homework you did on the school or district. Your response should make it clear that you know something about this specific school or district as well as how you can contribute to their overall academic effort. Here’s where you can ‘stroke their feathers’ and tell them what a good job they are doing.”
3. What gives you the greatest pleasure in teaching?
“Your answer should underscore your reasons for becoming a teacher. Your response should be a validation of why you decided to enter this profession and what you will do to be one of the best. Most important, there should be passion in your response!”
4. How would you describe the ideal teacher?
“This is a question you’re likely to be asked near the beginning of the interview. Then the interviewer will try to determine if, indeed, you are the candidate who best exemplifies these ideals. It’s equally important that you know what good teachers do in response to those concepts.”
5. What is the most important quality of a teacher?
“This one also will be presented early in the interview process. Have your answer ready, but more important, have several examples or anecdotes you can share later in the interview that will support your response. Demonstrate that you not only know what good teachers do, but you’ve had experiences that make you one of those outstanding educators.”
Additional information can be found in Ace Your Teacher Interview. The book was published in January of 2012 and is available at major bookstores, Amazon.com and jist.com.
To schedule an interview with the author, contact Selena Dehne at (651) 215-7548 or sdehne@jist.com.
About Anthony D. Fredericks, Ed.D.
Award-winning author Anthony D. Fredericks has been a professional educator for 39 years at the elementary, secondary and postsecondary levels, and is a professor of education at York College in Pennsylvania. He is a leading authority on teacher hiring practices and a well-known consultant to school districts and professional education organizations around the country. He has written 119 books, including three college textbooks, 70 education books and several nonfiction trade books.
About JIST Publishing
JIST, America’s Career Publisher, is a division of EMC/Paradigm Publishing. As the leading publisher of job search, career and occupational information, JIST empowers today’s workforce and students to achieve long-lasting rewards in their careers.
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Media Contact
Selena Dehne
Marketing and Public Relations Manager
JIST Publishing
Phone: 651-215-7548
E-mail: sdehne@jist.com
Twitter: @SelenaDehne