What should I expect at upcoming "screening interviews" for teaching jobs at public school districts?

Question

Okay, I have some "screening interviews" coming up next week (finally!!). The problem is, I have only worked at private schools before and have never done the school district screening process. What should I expect? What tips could you offer? Thank you in advance!!!

Answer 1

I'm the principal of a school, and the answers to the questions should be level-specific (elementary, middle, or high school) and grade specific, if you know what grade is being advertised.



My peers in elementary school focus on literacy questions, social skills development issues, and effective management of the volumes of paperwork.



For middle school interviews, I focus on interdisciplinary planning examples (how to bring reading strategies into all subject areas) , classroom management skills (be specific with the set up of the room and past experiences with disruptive students), and specific ways that you communicate to parents, in both positive and negative situations.



High school principals look at college prep effectiveness in lesson plans for upper levels, and more behaviour management with lower levels. They also want to know how you will help in maintaining a safe and orderly campus (being in halls after school, walking students out the doors, etc.)



These hints apply for any teaching job, on any level:



• Be enthusiastic--nothing kills an interview like a teacher with no passion---smile, and give examples of meaningful connections with students

• Be specific with examples of great lessons/outcome, innnovative projects you have done, and "out of the box" strategies that worked.

• Be honest--you may want to give an example of something that didn't work out the way you wanted it to, and then give the lesson YOU learned. Interviewers will find it refreshing.

• Save the "My philosophy on education is....." routine. It's boring, and no matter how you feel, it is always akin to a canned response. If someone asks for your philosophy, consider it a rookie question, make your answer brief, and move on.

• DON'T say, "I'll take any teaching job--I just want to get started." When I hire someone, I want them to know that my STUDENTS and their respective age of development come first, not the paycheck. If you want middle school, only interview for that level, not high school or elementary (assuming you have the appropriate certification).

• Assuming that you have been successful in moving your student up in standardized test, bring the % and quote them.

• Make sure that the private school will give you a good recommendation. I always check references.



Good Luck!

Answer 2

I taught in private school before I came to public school. Screening interviews are to give them an idea of where you stand in terms of your teaching philosophy, disciopline style. If you have pictures of things you've done in the classroom, copies of lesson plans, work chidlren have done, that would be helpful. Be positive and cheerful. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I taught high school in the public school system. They wanted to know your philo. I had examples of my lesson plans. I also had a year curriculum guide line. please excuse my spelling. I taught photography and art and I'm dyslexia. but I had the students write on the board. sell yourself. like your the best thing that every walked through their doors.

Answer 4

Just be open and honest. Expect questions dealing with current events in education, your teaching philosophy, and be prepared to ask them questions too. The grade you teach will impact the type of quesitoning. For example, I am an elementary teacher. When I interviewed, I asked what type of literacy program the district/school participated in. I also asked if teachers had a common planning time per grade level. Just be open and honest while showing your expertise.

Answer 5

It is hard to answer completely and specifically, however I teach in a public school and when I interviewed, they asked me questions like...



"why do you want to teach in public school?"

"why did you leave your last job? (no matter what do NOT say anything derogatory about the administration)

"how would you handle behavioral problems (this is esp. for special ed)"

"what curriculum did you use for reading/math"

etc etc etc etc