Micayla
What do school boards look for when interviewing a teacher?
I want to become a teacher and I want to know what I have to do to be in the best position to get a job when I graduate. #teaching #teacher #superintendents
2 answers
Leslie Finger
Leslie’s Answer
While it depends on the state, normally you don't interview with school boards. Rather, you would interview with a principal of a school, and that is the person that hires you. In order to be an appealing candidate, you'll need to be sure you have good grades. You'll also need to be certified as a teacher either because you have a degree in education or are alternatively certified. Lastly, you need to be able to teach. Often for interviews, you have to teach a lesson. Usually they would tell you in advance if that's the case.
The main thing for you to do is keep studying and start thinking about what type of certification you want to get and how teacher certification works in your state.
Emma Davis
Emma’s Answer
Do they have an understanding of working with individual pupils and finding ways to differentiate what they are teaching within the classroom to suit different types of learners? Do they have the right balance of support and challenge when it comes to pastoral and behaviour management elements of the job?
Is the candidate interested in school life and do they make an effort to understand our pupils? As a part of the process we always take candidates on a tour and during that time, we are looking to see if they can engage the pupils, if they show a genuine interest and if they are able to build rapport.
We also look for a genuine passion and love of learning. I like to ask candidates, if they had the option to choose anything to add to the curriculum, what would it be and why? This gives a real sense of what they love to teach.
In the taught lesson, I am looking for progress to be made by the pupils - do they leave the lesson having gained knowledge that they didn't have when they entered? Is the teacher able to build relationships that lead to learning taking place?
On top of all of this, of course it is important that they are well qualified, have the relevant experience and have personal attributes that are essential to teaching, such as good time keeping, being able to work under pressure and keep to deadlines, good communication skills, are reflective and able to be flexible to the needs of the pupils.
Ultimately, if you have a passion for working with young people and making a difference, all of the above will follow.
Good luck!