Posts Tagged “principal”

The Interview Committee

I had my first experience being part of an interview committee to interview for 2 teaching positions at my elementary school. What an eye-opening experience. I have been on the other side of the interview table a few times, and now I wonder what they all said after I left the room! There were 3 scheduled interviews for one position and 4 scheduled for the other. Here a few tips to those new teachers looking for a job gleaned from being on the interviewer side of the table.

Tip #1 – Sell yourself – don’t just suck up! The applicant #1, seen for position #1 did a great job of selling herself. She was energetic, open and sincere. The third applicant for this same position spent most of his time telling us how much he liked the district, how much he liked the community and how much he really wanted the job. (Well, until the end when he asked if he would be taking a pay cut to come to this district, not a good strategic move at that point). The superintendent of the district who sat in on all the interviews, even called the guy a suck up, in so many words. Suffice to say, Mr. Brown-nose did not get the job, the gal who told us how wonderful she was did.

Tip #2 – Have a handshake! Two of the applicants had the limpest, wimpiest, most pitiful excuses of handshakes I have ever felt. I realize there are those out there who prefer not to shake hands….that’s fine, just say that, I won’t be offended. But if that’s the case, don’t limp-out just to forego having to explain, it just makes you look weak and timid.

Tip #3 – Come prepared! Applicant #1 went so far as to get her transcripts and figure out how much more schooling she would need should we combine the two part-time positions. You get points for being a go-getter like that. Applicants #3 and #7 came with nothing. (#3 had super suck up powers but those don’t count) Others brought their portfolio or copies of reference letters, etc. Even if the interviewers don’t take the time to go through everything…it LOOKS good…like you really want the job.

Tip #4 – Don’t BS! The superintendent asked a question about differentiated instruction. It was pretty clear only applicant #1 really knew what it was, and she even said she had a lot more to learn about it. The rest of the crew, well, they tried to BS through an answer. There are times when you can shovel enough on to make it look ok, other times you really can’t. Here it would have been to their advantage to say, “I haven’t really had any/much experience with that but I am always willing to learn something that will improve my teaching.” No employer expects you to know EVERYTHING, but they all appreciate honesty.

Finally, Tip #5 - Pause and think before you answer! I am sure applicant #3 could have thought of a more appropriate answer to the question about how he sees the teacher principal relationship than, “Much like that of Teacher Student”. My principal…not impressed, she doesn’t want to have to “teach” a newly hired teacher the job, after all that’s what student teaching and college was all about, not to mention a mentor. The other response that set my principal on edge was, #4 who said, “I tell all my principals up front that if I have a problem they’ll hear about it.” How many times a day? Principals want people who can solve their own problems the majority of the time, not a tattletale who expects them to make the other teachers or staff play nice. The best answer of the day to that question…you guessed it, #1 who said, “Open but professional. I want to know that if I have an issue I really can’t solve I will have support, but I want the principal to trust that I am capable of performing my duties too.”

The competition for new teachers is tough, and even those with years of experience aren’t getting hired. It’s worth your time to practice answering questions….think about possible questions and come up with answers. During the interview don’t feel pressured to come up with an answer right away, these are other teachers, they are ok with “think time”, and ask for clarification or admit when you don’t have a clear answer. I know should I ever be back on the other side of the table, I will do a few things differently!

AND have a great Thanksgiving holiday……

That’s how the superintendent ended his meeting with the staff of my elementary school the day before our Thanksgiving break. Sounds like a great sentiment, however he had just come to explain to us how much financial trouble is ahead, not only for our district, but for all the districts in the state as budget cuts are coming for the rest of this year and next. The probability of a 10% across the board cut for every state agency is looming as the state attempts to balance their budget.

Every year, we get a doom and gloom speech about 3 weeks before they start contract negotiations. The superintendent and the financial guru come and tell us about all the money the district is losing and how we shouldn’t expect raises etc. Then we battle, get a small raise (usually less than the increase of the cost of living) and a month later, the administration settles on a raise that is more than any other group – teachers, maintenance, food service. This is typical for my district, and as you can imagine, it does nothing to develop trust/credibility for the administration.

Somehow, we are supposed to see this year as being worse. We are supposed to be prepared for staff cuts, supply monitoring, increase in class size and perhaps even curriculum cuts (music, art and PE are not mandated parts of the curriculum so they are on the chopping block.). Because of this, the discussion of going to a 4 day school week is now under discussion. The first response to this suggestion was “Parents won’t like it because they will have to come up with and pay for child care.” I hate to say it, but my thought to that was, “School is NOT free daycare!”

But it got me to wondering, in the numerous districts that have gone to a 4 day school week, how have teachers, students and parents adapted? What changes have occurred, both positive and negative? Would you recommend it for another district? What tweaking would you do if you could make changes to your 4 day program? There is a lot of research out there about 4 day weeks, but I would like to hear from those who are living it. So if there is anyone out there reading this blog in this situation, PLEASE share. Anyone else not in this situation – what are your opinions? I would love to start a dialog about this topic.

I found this humorous list at http://www.teachingheart.net and wanted to share it with Homeroom. Hope you enjoy it!

You Might be in Education if…

1. You believe the staff room should be equipped with a Vellum salt lick.
2. You find humor in other people’s stupidity.
3. You want to slap the next person who says, “Must be nice to work 8-3 and
have your summers free.”
4. You believe chocolate is a food group.
5. You can tell if it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.
6. You believe “shallow gene pool” should have its own box on the report
card.
7. You believe the unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, “Boy,
the kids are sure mellow today.”
8. When out in public, you feel the urge to snap your fingers at a child.
9. You have no time for a life from August through June.
10. Putting all “A’s on a report card would make your life SO much easier.
11. When you mention “vegetables,” you are not talking about a food group.
12. You think people should be required to get a government permit before
being allow to reproduce.
13. You believe in the aerial spraying of Prozac.
14. You encourage a parent to check into home schooling.
15. You believe no one should be permitted to reproduce without having taught
in a middle school for at least five years.
16. You can’t have children because there isn’t any name you can hear that
wouldn’t elevate your blood pressure.
17. You think caffeine should be available to staff in IV form.
18. Meeting a child’s parents instantly answers the question, “Why is this kid like that?”
19. Your personal life comes to a screeching halt at report card time.