Listen to the Principal

"What you don't know, you can learn. What you don't have, you won't get."
Mr. Garcia, Founder and Head of Segue Institute for Learning

 

Tonight, the RIC Middle School Association invited a panel of principals from various middle schools throughout RI to talk to RIC students about applying for a job as a teacher. Each panel member prepared answers to some questions we had about what principals look for in a job applicant and ways to prepare ourselves for an interview.

A lot of schools now use SchoolSpring.com as a prominent source for posting job availabilities and accepting job applications. It's important, when applying, to meet all of the criteria the school is asking for. If they want 3 letters of recommendation, make sure you have at least three, otherwise they will weed you right out. The selection committee will look for letters from professors and cooperating teachers that you have worked with and who know you well (no relatives). It's also a good idea, if the site provides a prompt for an essay, to respond with an appropriate piece that stays focused on the question being asked.

Before going into an interview, get to know the school. Visit the school's website and get to know what they are about - their mission statement, programs, etc. Also, research the school - demographics, test scores, and any other data. You can visit InfoWorks to look up these types of statistics on any school in RI.



Even in an interview, it is important to answer the questions that are being asked, not going on a tangent. It's okay to ask for a minute or two to think about the question before you respond. It shows that you are thoughtful and reflective. Also, they know that you are nervous. Sometimes they will ask you a question to break the ice, like "If you were a fruit, what would you be and why?" They do have a specific set of questions that they will ask every candidate across the board, but your responses will allow for follow up questions that will help the interview flow more like a conversation. Even if you are nervous, don't sell yourself short. Be clear, concise, and confident in who you are and what you can do.

When going into an interview, you will be asked to bring a physical portfolio with you. This portfolio should contain various work samples and lessons you have created. One thing the principals suggested was using Sticky Notes to bookmark exemplary artifacts. If you have a 50 page portfolio, no one will take the time to go through it, but if you indicate key items, such as an assessment, examples of differentiation, and behavior management, then the committee can actually see what you can do. Some people have even included a CD of a lesson they taught so they can see the strategies at work.

You also want to show the school what you can offer as a teacher. They want to see your experiences, know what you've learned and how you will bring that with you, and what your plans are for the future. They also want to know what you can contribute to the school and your team (if you are applying to a middle school). Each school has their own feel and environment. It's okay to feel differently about things and bring your own opinion, but they want to make sure that you are a good match for the school and that the school is a good match for you.

Don't be an eager beaver. After your interview, someone will tell you how long it should be to hear back from them. Usually, there is about a 2-week turnaround period before a decision is made. The school does not want to get phone calls asking about the status of your application and whether or not you got the job. The school will try to contact you whether you got the job or not. There are a lot of people applying for these positions, and they will hire someone whose work they have seen and who will be a good asset to the school.

Applying to be a first year teaching can be intimidating, but be prepared and you can thrive!