Teacher Interview Tips

After sitting on teacher interview panels for over four years, I can tell you one thing: teaching candidates respond to most questions with similar answers and the same jargon, especially new teachers, for valid reasons.

While there may be differences in explanations when its comes to specificity and examples, there’s often little variance.

I mean, educators do share common knowledge in regards to teaching and learning.

This is one reason why interviewers often ask scenario based questions—to delve in your problem solving abilities.

If you’re vying for a teacher vacancy and just so happen to give akin responses as your competitors, even if they give better explanations and showcase their extensive lexicon, I’m going to tell you what you need to do in your teacher interview in order to make a lasting impression—which should be your goal.

And if you’re thinking about working in a Title 1 school, first, you need to read my article, 10 Specific Knows for Teachers Who Want to Work in Turnaround Title 1 Schools.

To Get The Teacher Job You Worked Your Ass Off For, Do This in Your Teacher Interview: Show and Tell

As you prepare for your teacher interview, remember this cliche: content is king.

And remember you have one goal: to showcase what you know about the art and science of teaching.

The purpose of content in an interview is to sell value. So, I would be remised if I neglected to add that quality is queen.

Content and quality complement each other like bread and butter.

What is Content?

Content is evidence of what you know, can do, successes, and achievements.

What you know AND can do (more so what you can do or have done) take precedence over successes and achievements, UNLESS, of course, they are connected to teaching and learning.

What you can do is what’s most important. It will distinguish you as a TOP COMPETITOR.

What you say, how you say it, and what you know does hold weight, but talk can be cheap.

Here’s why: knowing how to interview well does not necessarily transfer to work productivity and effectiveness. There are many people who can talk it, but when it comes to walking the talk, an obvious disparity exists.

In contrast, there are people who don’t interview well—for whatever reason—who are highly effective in terms of practice.

That’s why when it comes to scoring that job, you must do these 2 things:

  1. SHOW that you can implement best pedagogical practices while engaging students in an environment that is conducive to learning.
  2. SHOW that you’re committed to students and their learning.  

What is Quality Content?

Quality content is exactly what you think it is: good content.

So, what is good content?

Good content is content that answers the interviewers’ questions about what you know and can do.

It shows your expertise—your value. It shows why you will be more of an asset than your competitors

It’s content that assures the interviewers that they are hiring the best teacher.

How Do I Choose Quality Content for My Interview?

I would say don’t give yourself a headache over deciding what content to show and/or provide, but that would be a lie.

If your goal is to get the job, you better spend time being selective about the evidence you’re going to share; the evidence that’s going to highlight your teaching knowledge and skills.

Since your time will be limited, when choosing content, choose content that gets straight to the point—your knowledge, skills, and problem solving abilities.

To show quality content that will increase your chance of getting the job, here’s what you need to do in your teacher interview:

Do This Not This: Teacher Interview

Why Sharing an Assessment Can Help You Get the Job

Sharing an assessment that you created will do the following:

  1. show your knowledge and skill set (i.e. you know how to design assessments aligned to learning expectations) in regards to curriculum, instruction, and assessment
  2. show your knowledge of learning expectations, how to measure them, and how to use the data collected to make informed decisions to meet learners’ individual needs

Why You Should Share an Analysis of Student Work and Action Plan

Teachers have many responsibilities. And ensuring that students learn is one of them.

Taking time to share an analysis of student work coupled with an action plan will show that you do just that.

Additionally, it will show that you . . .

  • use assessments as a tool of and for learning
  • are responsive to students’ academic needs
  • are committed to students and their learning
  • understand that learning is a continuous
  • you are a problem solver

How Pre/Post-test Data Will Help You Shine in Your Teacher Interview

The only way to truly determine your impact on student learning is by giving an assessment before and after instruction.

Pre-assessment data gives you a starting point; it lets you know what your students know and can do before you engage them in learning experiences.

Post-assessment data, on the other hand, is used to find out how much the students learned from the learning experiences you designed and implemented.

In short, post-tests measure growth.

When you hear pre/post-test data, you’re probably thinking quantitative data–numbers. Although quantitative data is good, I recommend that you also share other methods of evaluating students’ learning and growth, such as

  • pre/post writing samples with rubrics
  • culminating math tasks or projects with student reflections and self-assessments
  • culminating science or social studies projects with student reflections and self-assessments

I choose to elaborate on this point because learning outcomes is a focus in every school.

Why You Should Show That You Can Teach in Your Teacher Interview

At the end of the day, the interviewers want to hire the most effective teacher. What better way for you to prove it than to show it!

Some school districts and schools are beginning to ask teachers to come prepared to teach a planned lesson.

Although some school districts and schools require teachers to model lessons, showing a video has a great benefit: If the live lesson does not go well, at least the recording shows you at your best. Ha!

Also, what if you bomb the question and answer interview? A video of your teaching might just keep you in the game and compensate for the faux pa.

Interviewing as an Experienced Teacher

Ok. So, you’re not a new teacher.

You have some experience under your belt and have developed a nice repertoire of pedagogical and classroom management practices. You’ve experienced success in your current school, but are in desperate need of change.

The only barrier that is standing between you and that new school is. . .that’s right—the interview. 

Unlike the novice teacher, your situation is different, considering one thing: you’re experienced. 

In addition to what the novice teacher does, you need do this:

  • Show the impact you had on student achievement by providing multiple data sources (e.g. state assessments, benchmark data, etc.)
  • curriculum initiatives that you’ve led
  • discuss professional learning that you’ve had and the impact they had on your instruction and student learning (Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.)

Will I Have an Opportunity to Show What I Can Do During My Teacher Interview?

Since interviews are often scheduled for an allotted time, I recommend you send your evidence electronically, days before you interview. You want to provide those who will interview you enough time to peruse your materials before they meet you in person.

Also, if you bomb the question and answer interview, they might contribute it to you being nervous and even overlook it, especially if you were on fire during that videotaped lesson they saw.

A few days before your interview, send a follow-up e-mail to see if there were any issues viewing your resources. If they didn’t look at what you sent when they received it, the chances of them looking after your e-mail increases.

I mean, they already showed an interest in you by scheduling an interview.

So, don’t look at sending a follow-up as being a pest. You genuinely want to know if they had issues accessing your materials. Because if they did, you might need to resubmit.

What Platforms Can I Use to Send My Information Electronically?

There are many ways and platforms you can use to send electronic evidence of your teaching knowledge and skills:

When I reflect on all the teachers I’ve interviewed within the last 4 years, only two had portfolios.

Zero showed their knowledge and skill set in regards to developing standards based assessments.

Zero showed how they facilitate continuous learning through analysis of student work and reteaching and or enrichment

Zero showed evidence of their impact on student learning

Zero showed video evidence of their actual teaching.

With that being said, if you do the things I mention in this blog, statistically, you will stand out.

I firmly believe in doing all of the aforementioned because that’s what I did.

And I was offered every teaching job I interviewed for.

Get ahead of the game and make showing what you know and can do a regular practice.

Let me know how your interview goes!