Teaching Job Interview?

Question

I have two interviews this week for teaching jobs. One is at a charter school, the other is at a public school. Both are special ed positions. I've been on a few interviews before and have gotten pretty far into the second round, but have not gotten any offers. They all had great things to say about me, but I'm getting to the point where I NEED a job, because I have student loans to pay off.

Any advice to help me land a job?

Answer 1

Be friendly and be prepared with copies of your resume.  Don't pretend to be something that you're not.  Do not let your lack of experience discourage you.

Apply to some rural or urban schools with students who come from lower income areas.  They need the teachers very desperately and will gladly take you.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Andrea -

Because there is a huge shortage of special education teachers, unless you act like a complete idiot (which I know you won't) both are going to offer you the job.

Just be yourself and talk about some difficult situations you have encountered as a special ed professional and how you handled them. Keep talking about how important the kids are and how it fullfills you to help special needs kids.

Answer 4

I think you have gotten some really good advice from the other answers.  The more teaching experience you have, the easier it will be for you to talk about things pertaining to it.  Of course, how can you get experience without someone giving you the chance?  Here are a few tips . . .

1)  Spice up your resume as much as you can without lying.

2)  Ask someone to help you practice for the interview.  You might ask a principal or someone who does hiring for a company.

3)  Be open and honest about your qualifications, and try to put a positive spin on all of them.

4)  Know your classroom management plan, use of technology in the classroom, your system of rewards, teaching strategies you have used effectively, etc., before going in.

5)  Always send a thank you letter after the interview.

6)  Don't be afraid to call and check up on the status of the interview/job once a week.

7)  Try earning advanced degrees in the subject areas you want to teach.  I know that money may be a problem right now, but keep it in mind for later on.  Professionals are needing these advanced degrees more and more.  Schools are looking for them.

8)  Try taking and passing as many state tests that will allow you to be certified in other areas as possible . . . if your state will allow it.

9)  Send out as many resumes as you can.  Sometimes it is just a numbers game.  However, be careful where you go!  Some places are very bad...

10)  Be open to teaching in other states and countries.  I first started off in Estonia maing $500 per month before taxes, but then that helped me land a great job in Texas!  I am currently in China, as I got married, and now I have many skills and qualifications that I did not previously have.  Those, of course, came with time.

11)  Finally, remember that we have all been where you have been.  Try to network and get some connections in the field of education.  

You'll do fine.  Don't worry.  Many places are just hiring, and some even hire all the way through September or October.  If you need to defer your loans or apply for economic hardship, loan cancellation, etc., go for it!  I know for a fact that you can get $17,500 of your student loans paid off if you teach special education at low income schools for five years in a row.  It depends on your loan, so why not contact your lender?

I hope this helps!!!!!!  :-)

:-)

Answer 5

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For better or for worse, I'll be straight with you.  

When you are being interviewed, the first thing they will notice is that you are a new candidate, with no REAL experience in the trenches - I mean, classroom.

Position yourself in the shoes of the principal or VP.  

(thoughts going through their head)

Will this person be able to handle a classroom of students who can really get out of control?  Boy does he/she look young.  That is a red flag.  We should probably pass this person, to look for someone who can get the students to SIT DOWN, listen to directions, and DO work.  I don't think this person has the guts to control him/herself, should a student become defiant, and not follow any directions from him/her.

Now, back to reality...

You need to show/prove that you can handle a classroom successfully.  Talk about your experiences, difficulties, but at the same time, what you had learned from handling students.  This will get their attention.

Also, touch upon the importance of the state tests, and how that is a primary concern for you.  (The principal's job is the raise the test scores of their school.  If not, if falls directly on them).  Help the admissions committee by stressing the importance of these tests, and what you plan on doing.

These are 2 key points I feel you should stress in your next interviews.

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