Please help! I need advice for a committee interview!?

Question

I am applying for a teaching job. I have already completed a demo lesson. I have a committee interview on Friday with a school district's assistant superintendents - there are 5 of them. I am not sure what to expect. What type of things will they ask? Does anyone know? I just want to be sure that I am as prepared as possible. I really want this job. I appreciate whatever help you can give. Thanks.

Answer 1

Are you and others being interviewed together?  That's what I think a committee interview is.

However, I've got the impression that you're thinking that a committee is interviewing you.  If that's the case here goes.  I've been a member of such committees, so...

There will be questions on your philosophy of education and your philosophy of discipline. The wording will not be as direct but more hidden but essentially that's what they will want.  For discipline for example, they will probably give you a situation and ask you how you would deal with it.  This might reveal whether you can deal with problems by yourself, or if you need help or if you know when to ask for help that kind of thing.  Don't try to guess what they want.  Just make sure that you have an answer that makes sense.  There are 5 people there who would deal with the matter in 5 different ways.

There will be a curriculum question.

How you would motivate  students is a good question too.

They will want to know what you know about the school district, and the population it draws from.

There will be a question to show your understanding of the organizational structure of a school and where you fit in it.

They will want to know how well you deal with adults:  staff, parents, administration.

They may want to know if you are prepared to get involved in extracurricular activities.  If you have skills that can be used there, make sure you point them out.  Everything from chess, to book club to coaching sports teams to science fairs is open.

They may ask something about your knowledge of  your subject matter.  

You may be asked your favorite film, book etc.  This would reveal your personality.  Be prepared with something.

You may be asked something about the teacher's union.

They will certainly ask if you have questions.  Make sure you prepare a few and not just about salary and working conditions.  If everything that you thought of has been dealt with, use this time to summarize your major points.  

Good luck on Friday and in your teaching career.

Answer 2

They usually ask about discipline. What type of rules would you have in your classroom? Sometimes they ask what would your classroom look like, as in how would the students be acting, what would they be doing, working in groups, bla, bla, bla. Sometimes they ask to think of a math lesson that you taught, and what made it special. Did it work or not work? I have had them ask about collegiality of other teachers. Do you like to work together? What can a principal do to help you? There are numerous questions. Try to go over all of the endless possibilities before you go in, then try to relax, smile, and have a sense of humor. Everyone knows that these interviews with multiple interviewers are very tough and nerve-wracking. Good luck.

Answer 3

Five! Anyway, why did you want to be a teacher? Why did you pick ______ as a subject area? Why do you want to teach here in _________ ? What unique qualities do you think you can bring  to the school system?

There may be positions in different schools, so they may ask you whether you would rather teach grade 6 social studies or AP History at the high school and why?

If you can find out something about the system or the town, it might be helpful: "When I read in the New York Times that your eighth grade students are required to take etiquette lessons, I knew that I wanted to teach here!"

They might ask you to critique your demo lesson. What went well? What would you improve?