Teacher Interview Tips: How to Land that Teaching Job

 

 

The school year is drawing to a close and some of you may have decided that the place you are currently employed is not the place you want to be employed when school starts again next year. So, you have decided to hit the pavement and look for another teaching position. If you are one of these educators, there are some things you should do as you prepare for your interview.

Teacher Beware

Be warned. Some principals have confessed to monitoring interviewees from the moment they get out of the car. Why? So they can see if you appear energetic or if you appear disinterested or bored. These principals also intentionally show up a few minutes late in order to see how you will handle the time while you are waiting. So, don’t just go to the interview. Appear excited from the time that you get out of the car until the time that you finish the interview. Bring along some material that you can read while you wait for your interview to begin.

Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

I have been asked over and over again at teaching interviews what is my greatest strength and what do I feel is my weakness. So, don’t be surprised when you are asked this questioned. Think about this before you go to the interview and have an answer readily available. Sell yourself to your interviewer. Highlight all of your accomplishments. However, don’t say that you don’t have any weakness. Principals and interview team members are checking your intergrity. They have already called your former employers and checked your record. Remember everyone has at least one weakness. It is okay to mention one “minor” problem that you might have. However, don’t give your interviewer reasons not to hire you.

The Reason You Left Your Old Job

This is a question is to be expected at any job interview. So, you be prepared to answer.  Be as honest as you can, but as careful as possible. Again, don’t give the interviewer a reason not to hire you. They want a team player so make sure that you don’t bad mouth your boss or co-workers. How do you handle discipline in your classroom?

Test Scores

Test scores rule the teaching world. You can’t escape them if you work in a public school. Be prepared to answer questions about your test scores record. Also, be prepared to discuss how you plan to contribute to increasing the school’s test scores.

Sample Work

Take samples of your students’ work, lesson plans, and other activities with you. Combine this into a portfolio and have it handy at your interview.

Before you head off to that teaching interview, be prepared.

For more tips, read my other article.
http://www.careerpath360.com/index.php/common-teacher-interview-questions-79/

How to Foster a Love of Writing in Your Students

 

 

The first of school, my students could have cared less about writing. It was not something that they did often, and when they did have to complete a writing assignment, they didn’t like it. Now, school is almost over for the year, and I can’t get them to think about much else. They write and write often. And, the great thing is that I don’t have to tell them to write. In fact, they write on their own, and they can’t wait for me to critique their work. So, how did I get those reluctant writers to begin writing more?

Be an Example

As a teacher, we must lead by example. My students know that I loved to write. They also know that I write often. It helped that I write for the local newspaper, and many of my students had read some of my articles. They later learned that I write on-line and blog. I frequently shared with them the reasons that I love to write. I talked passionately about my writing, and my students saw my excitement and wanted to be a part of it.

Publish Student Work

Many of my students did not know that they could have their writings published. So, when they saw my writing on-line, they became motivated to write their own short stories, poems, and articles. I then made it a point to submit their work to any and every writing contest that they qualified for. Yes, it was a lot of work. However, it was worth it. A few of my students won writing contests and were recognized for their work. This help to make the other students work harder and write more.

Encourage Expression

Even though my students are pre-teens, they are very opinionated. They loved to let you know what they think and how they feel. So, I let them. No, I don’t let them their feelings out or disrupt my class. Instead,  I have them transfer their feelings to a journal or diary.

Use the Local Newspaper

Because my students know I write for the local newspaper, they are always telling me about things that are going on in the community or in the school. Instead of grabbing the scoop myself, I encourage them to compose new stories on their own. These are critiqued, and if they are interesting, I submit them to the local paper.

Getting students interested in writing can be difficult. However, I have found that if you show your students how much you love writing and the world opportunities that it can open up, they too will develop a love for writing.

 

M-STAR Survival Tips for Educators

M-STAR: Some Quick Tips on What You can Do to Survive Your Evaluation

Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric is the new method of evaluation classroom teachers in Mississippi. M-STAR evaluations include two formal evaluations and at least five walk-through evaluations. This system is designed to help teachers reflect upon their own teaching methods and to provide quick, meaningful feedback. Whether you are new to the classroom or a veteran educators, the new system can be confusing. Instead of constantly worrying about your evaluation, use some of these tips to plan ahead.

Individualized Teaching

M-STAR is all about making the student the focus of learning. One of the main things you will want to do is to individualize your teaching to fit each of your students. Have activities for your visual learners, your kinesthetic learners, and your auditory learners. Have a center where you are stationed to help your struggling learners.

Technology

You can’t escape the computer age. The new teacher evaluation system wants to see you use technology in your classroom. So, incorporate the computer, promethium board, netbooks, or eBooks into your lesson plans. There are tons of computer programs that you can use to do this. You can also have your students take interactive quizzes on line. Make sure that when you are being evaluated that you show your evaluator that you do work with technology.

Print Rich Environment

It doesn’t matter which subject you teach. Having a print rich environment is a must. Create a print rich environment in your classroom by having books, magazines, posters, ankle charts, and other reading material on your subject area readily available and in plain view. You can even opt to section off an area of your room where books and magazines on various topics are displayed. Your students are bound to come across something that they may want to read.

Across the Curriculum

It has been said that no man is an island. Well, teaching is no longer a one man show. Teachers are no longer expected to just teach their own subject area and move on. You are now expected to teach across the curriculum. You must be sure to integrate other subject areas into your lessons. It is also a plus when you hang posters or student work that displays the incorporation of other disciplines.

Make Connection to Real World

Students always want to know what the subject has to do with them or why they have to learn something. So, it is important to make a real world connection. If you are teaching a book, be sure to compare the book to a real life situation or experience that you have had. Then, allow your students to briefly share their experiences that connect with the subject of your lesson.

Explain the Objective

Before you dive into the lesson for the day, explain what you will be teaching. Explain why it is important, and make those real world connections.

Questions Please

The new M-STAR evaluation requires teachers to think about the way they question their students. Instead of asking questions that require simple responses, M-Star encourages educators to ask questions that require students to use their critical thinking skills and creativity.

Safety

As teachers, most of us are more concerned with teaching the lesson than checking out our classroom. Well, we must begin to do a quick evaluation of your classrooms. Check to see if the room is safe for students and yourself. Are there book bags in the aisles? Are there other things that can pose safety hazards? These things must be addressed before your evaluation.

No Down Time

Do not allow any downtime for the students. Activities should flow smoothly. So, plan accordingly.

Make Corrections

Be sure to handle any disciplinary problems in your classroom quickly and promptly. Post classroom rules throughout your room, and make sure that they are visual. Refer to your rules throughout your class.

Procedure

Make sure that you have taught your students classroom procedure. The person doing your evaluation will look for these things as they are observing your class.

M-STAR evaluations can be scary. Know what to expect and plan accordingly.

http://mpbonline.org/News/article/inside_mississippi_teacher-evaluations
http://home.mds.k12.ms.us/docs/rocurement-library/m-star-system-guide.pdf

Things Administrators Look for When Doing Classroom Observations

All teachers get them-those nice little walk-through and formal evaluations. So, what exactly is your principal looking for when he or she stops by? Check out the following list.

Objectives

One of the first things that your administrator will do when he or she enters your room is check to see if you have your objectives posted. These can be your objectives for the day or for the week. It is crucial that you have these posted and in a place of high visibility. And, make sure you go over these objectives with your students each day.

Classroom Engagement

The principal or administrator will also check to see if your lesson is engaging. Are your students actively involved in the lesson or if you are doing only lecture? So, try to plan lessons that will require your students to be involved and actively engaged.

Teacher Location and Movement

The principal will check to see where you are when he or she enters the room. Are you sitting at your desk or walking around monitoring your classroom? Not many of us can stand on our feet all day long. However, your principal will want you to spend the majority of the day walking around your class. This will help to decrease the amount of behavioral problems in your class and ensure that you students stay on task.

Classroom Organization

How is your class organized? Are your desks in straight rows or are they set up in small groups? Administrators want you to encourage correlative groups. So, try to plan group work for a majority of the time.

Time Management

Another big issue is time management. Your principal will observe your time management skills. He or she will check to see how you use the time you have to get the most out of your class. They also want to make sure that you stay on task. Most want you to teach from “Bell to Bell”. This means form the time that the students enter your class to the time that the bell rings for them to be dismissed. Although you may can’t accomplish this all the time, make sure if your boss is present that you do this.

Student Work

Not only will your boss check to see you are on task and your students engaged, he or she will check to see if you have any of your students’ work displayed. Be sure to hang some student work somewhere in your classroom or outside of your door.

Meaningful Lesson

Your principal will also check to make sure your lessons are meaningful and relevant. Some lessons are cute, but they don’t go with your curriculum. If this is the case, don’t waste your time teaching them. They will count as a strike against you.

Readily Available Lesson Plans

Keep your lesson plans in a place that you can find them at a moment’s notice. Your principal may ask to see these when he or she stops by to evaluate you.

Don’t be caught off guard. Be prepared for walk-through and other evaluations from your principal.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7666347_teach-lesson-evaluation.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-being-successful-teacher-11906762.html

Educational Things to Do with Your Children on a Snow Day

Snow is falling, and the kids are all out of school. However, you don’t want a snow day to turn into a wasted day. Make this frosty day an educational experience for your children. Are you wondering how? The following are some fun and educational ideas you can use on snow days.

Weather charts

Let your children experience the fun of being a meteorologist on those wintry days. Use the newspaper or the Weather Channel to chart the weather. You can have your children begin with the days leading up to your snow day or you can opt to do a 5 or 7 day forecast that includes a few days after your snow day. You can then let your children give you and the rest of the family their broadcast.

Research snow

Although the local library may be closed, you can still do some research. Have your children research snow formation and other winter weather. They can write a report about what they have learned or simply verbally share the information that they find with you and the rest of the family.

Compose poems

Snow days are great times to catch up on some writing. Your little poets can compose poems about snow, weather, and other fun parts of winter. If they don’t like cold weather, they can write poems about the problems that such wintry weather causes.

Write narratives

While your children have their pencils and composition notebooks out, they can also compose personal narratives about their snowy day. Have them include as many sensory details as possible.

Comparison/Contrast

Winter and summer are opposites. You can use the differences between these two seasons to have your children compose comparison/contrast essays. Have them brainstorm fun activities that can be performed in both winter and summer. You can then have them think of activities that can only be done during each particular season. Once your children have completed their brainstorming lists, they are all set to write.

Snowy Adventures

Who said that snow fights can’t be educational? Wrap your kids up and let them enjoy a few moments in the snow. Once they are finished, they can compose a short fictional story based on their adventure.

Newspaper articles

Snowy weather can also result in many interesting newspaper articles. Take those snowy headlines and turn them into educational experiences for your snowbound kids. Have them read articles from the paper and then write brief summaries about them. You can also allow them to write their responses to these articles.

Don’t let a snow day stop your children from learning. Turn each moment in the snow into a learning adventure using some of the activities listed above.

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-winter-storms.htm

http://voices.yahoo.com/creative-unique-ways-teenager-write-11963027.html

February Journal Writing Topics

Fall in love with writing this February. Use the following writing prompts to start a fire in your heart.

1.      February 1 is National Freedom Day. President Lincoln signed the 13^th Amendment on February 1, 1865. National Freedom Day became an official holiday on June 30, 1948. Write a paragraph describing 3 freedoms that you are thankful for.

2.      Ground Hog’s Day is on February 2. Research the origin of Ground Hog’s Day. Then, write a brief description of this holiday’s origin.

3.      Send a Card to a Friend Day is February 7^th. So, compose a few quick lines that you would like to send to a close friend.

4.      The Winter Olympics will be starting soon. Which winter sport is your favorite and why.

5.      February 8 is Boy Scout Day. Make a list of some great activities that you can do to help improve your neighborhood or school.

6.      On February 9, Hersey’s Chocolates Company was founded. What is your favorite candy and why?

7.      February is Black History Month. List 5 famous African American and their accomplishments.

8.      This is also Canned Food Month. Write about creative ways that you can collect canned goods.

9.      February 11 is National Inventors Day. Write about 5 inventions that you are most thankful for.

10.  Think of 4 special people in your life and write them appreciation letters.

11.  The colors of Valentine’s Day are red, white, and pink. What other colors do you think could be used for Valentine’s Day and why?

12.  Compose a poem for someone you love.

13.  Think of your favorite Valentine’s Day gift. What was it and why?

14.  If you could go on a date with anyone living or dead this Valentine’s Day, who would it be and why?

15.  February is National Dental Health Month. What are some ways that you can take better care of your teeth?

16.  President’s Day is February 17. Write a paragraph comparing and contrast 2 United States Presidents.

17.  February is National Heart Month. List 3 ways that you can help to keep your heart healthy.

18.  If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be and why?

19.  February 27 is Polar Bear Day.  List 5 fun facts about Polar Bears.

20.  List 4 famous African Americans from your state.

Let the love of writing warm your heart this February. Choose some or all of the writing prompts listed above.

http://voices.yahoo.com/national-canned-food-month-look-canned-food-5435359.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/national-freedom-day-recognition-proposal-5279281.html

Money Saving Tips for Teachers

Okay, teachers, you know we spend tons of our own money on our classrooms and school supplies. Whether you are spending your own money or the school district’s money, get the most for your buck. The following are some money saving tips that you can use.

Set budget

This goes without saying, but it deserves saying again. Have a set amount of money that you plan to spend on those school supplies and don’t go over it. Trust me. I know how tempting it is to grab that extra pack of paper or container of hand sanitizer. But, stick to your guns and only buy what you have figured into your budget.

Have a plan

Before heading off to grab that box of copy paper or box of crayons for your classroom, have a detailed shopping plan. Look through sales circulars and see if you can find a deal on the items that you need to purchase. Usually office supply stories are running a sale on these items, so take the time to check. This will save you both time and money.

Know When to Shop

Knowing when to shop is just as important as having a plan and a budget. Even if you are making purchases with your school money, you should make that money stretch as far as you can. So, learn the right time to make purchases. Paper, pencils, crayons, storage disks, and other school supplies tend to go on sale just before school starts. So, it pays to stock up on these items before school starts. Computers are best purchased in September, the last of December, and late June according to Decide.com. Try to make your purchases around this time.

Buying in bulk

Just as you would stock up on nonperishable items when they are on sale for your family, you should do the same for your classroom. When items like crayons, copy paper, pencils, scissors, and glue go on sale, buy them in bulk. If you buy these items in bulk, you will not have to purchase them again until they go back on sell.

Consignment shops

Consignment shops have a wealth of things that teachers can use. I have often found reading books, clothes, and other items that I can use in my classroom in a consignment shop. The shop that I frequent is Buzzy B Consignment in DeKalb, Mississippi. I have been able to grab several great reading books for $1.00 or less. They also have movies and other school related items. I will also confess that I have made several clothing purchases at the store. Most of these clothes were new and still had the tags on them.

Store loyalty cards

Another way for teachers to save money is to use store loyalty cards. Stores like Office Depot, Office Max, Fred’s, CVS, and Walgreens have loyalty cards. These cards can help to save you tons of money in the long run. Office supply stores will often give you discounts for being a teacher and for purchasing a certain monetary amount. I recently purchase computer ink for only $5.00 after I received my store rewards. Are you wondering how drug stores like CVS and Walgreens can save you money? They sell school supplies and they put these items on sale on a regular basis. So, take the time to fill out for those loyalty cards and start saving.

Teaching may be a job of heart, but it can cause havoc on your wallet. Use tips above and start saving.

http://www.9news.com/money/consumer/275531/103/The-best-time-to-buy-a-laptop-computer
http://www.moneymatters360.com/idex.php/tricks-saving-money-on-back-to-school-shopping-1584/
http://voices.yahoo.com/things-know-start-stockpile-11903485.html