I had yet another teaching interview the other day and it led to some discouraging news and insights on my part.
I didn’t get the job, I was told by a very gracious principal, who then offered to give me feedback.
I don’t usually want to hear feedback when I know what I did wrong. Some interviews can be brutal. Some times, we know what we have neglected to say and what we say too much. In this case, I sought out the feedback because I thought I had performed well at this particular interview.
One of the faults pointed out was that, when asked how I would set up a programme for a grade 4 class, I failed to mention anything about technology.
I would definitely use technology in my classroom. It’s just that there are so many responses to consider when answering such a question and so little time to mention them in that we do not always list everything of importance. Undoubtedly, I neglected to mention other aspects, besides technology, of my grade 4 programme.
Interviews can be fast and furious. I will remember certain details at some interviews and forget others. A question can be asked during one and not surface again until five interviews later.
This is probably why I would very much prefer to be observed in the classroom than have an interview. It is unfortunate that some teachers, though few, can answer interview questions readily but are not necessarily effective in the classroom.
A day after my interview, I was talking to the principal of a school I attend regularly and she told me that there are always certain specific answers that the school administration is seeking in the interviewee’s responses. One of these, she made clear, was technology.
When I go into schools to support teachers as a supply teacher, I often see them encouraging the students to use chromebooks, iPads, and computers to do research for a unit of study. Of course, this is necessary to education. Yet rarely do I see lessons being taught to students about how to use technology properly.
I realize that there are lessons I do not always observe since, as a supply teacher, I am replacing the teacher who is absent.
I sincerely hope that the teachers are guiding the students in how to use technology. Otherwise, these responses about technology in our interviews might be lacking.
I didn’t get the job, I was told by a very gracious principal, who then offered to give me feedback.
I don’t usually want to hear feedback when I know what I did wrong. Some interviews can be brutal. Some times, we know what we have neglected to say and what we say too much. In this case, I sought out the feedback because I thought I had performed well at this particular interview.
One of the faults pointed out was that, when asked how I would set up a programme for a grade 4 class, I failed to mention anything about technology.
I would definitely use technology in my classroom. It’s just that there are so many responses to consider when answering such a question and so little time to mention them in that we do not always list everything of importance. Undoubtedly, I neglected to mention other aspects, besides technology, of my grade 4 programme.
Interviews can be fast and furious. I will remember certain details at some interviews and forget others. A question can be asked during one and not surface again until five interviews later.
This is probably why I would very much prefer to be observed in the classroom than have an interview. It is unfortunate that some teachers, though few, can answer interview questions readily but are not necessarily effective in the classroom.
A day after my interview, I was talking to the principal of a school I attend regularly and she told me that there are always certain specific answers that the school administration is seeking in the interviewee’s responses. One of these, she made clear, was technology.
When I go into schools to support teachers as a supply teacher, I often see them encouraging the students to use chromebooks, iPads, and computers to do research for a unit of study. Of course, this is necessary to education. Yet rarely do I see lessons being taught to students about how to use technology properly.
I realize that there are lessons I do not always observe since, as a supply teacher, I am replacing the teacher who is absent.
I sincerely hope that the teachers are guiding the students in how to use technology. Otherwise, these responses about technology in our interviews might be lacking.