Hi Grove City College future teachers! Ask me a question…
I am passionate about recruiting and retaining high quality educators to America’s public schools.
Several years ago, I wrote a book about how to get hired, have fun, and stay sane as a teacher, and although it has done well, only a limited number of future teachers even have the ten dollars to spend a on a book (I know what it’s like to be “Ramen noodle poor” in college). Therefore, just last week I began taking information from the book and making it available for free on this blog. When I was talking with Mallory T. we thought you might find it useful.
The really important part is I want to know how I can help you! What do you want to know?
I’ve been at it for 13 years. I’ve moved 5 times and gone through the hiring process each time. I’ve worked in 5 different school districts (my husband’s job required that we move often). I’ve been on the other side of the table, doing the interviewing (now as department chair). I’ve taught too many different classes to list them all but to name a few: English 9-12, from Core to Dual Enrollment, yearbook, newspaper, communications technology, mass communications…
Ask me a question in the comments. I will compile the questions by March 1st and either answer them myself or find someone who can.
You are getting in on the ground floor because I’ve only begun to breach the surface. I have so much more information, tips, and tricks to share. If you like what you see here you can subscribe to this blog below, or follow me on Twitter.
We need good teachers so badly! #SchoolsNeedYou #WeNeedYou #KidsDeserveIt
So excited to hear from you!
Potential question topic ideas: interview tips/questions, resumes, where the jobs are, getting through the first year…etc…
Thank you so much for taking the time to help us! I was wondering what your top three interview tips are.
Thanks for your question Dana! The most important thing you can do in an interview is to present yourself in the best light possible. You can do that in a number of ways. First, dress appropriately (a little dressier than a teacher on a normal day-maybe a blazer). Second, get there early by at least 10 minutes. I recommend aiming to get to the interview location at least 20 minutes early. That way you have a little extra time if it takes you longer than you expected, and if you get there twenty minutes early you have 10 minutes or so to sit in your car and prepare yourself. Third, be kind to EVERYONE you interact with as soon as you enter the building including custodial staff, front office workers, and any students you encounter. This might just mean a kind smile and a head nod, or a “hello.” Finally, be positive during your interview. Be excited about the school, about kids and about teaching. I think I listed more than three things right there…haha. I actually have a post about this you can check out for more tips. Here’s a link to 5 tips to prepare for an interview, and 7 tips to rock an interview.
Hi Mrs. Trace! I was wondering what kind of classroom procedures you have established over the years to help with classroom management? Thank you for making this page for us!
Thank so much for asking a question Mallory! Kids might not voice it, but they like routine. I always start class with a “coffee shop,” which is a discussion question that I post to our online discussion board and they have an online conversation (quietly) while I take care of attendance and other business of the day. I also start the year with a seating chart even though I teach high school seniors. I make them earn the right to choose their own seats. You’ll also want to have procedures for things like test taking. I don’t give many tests now because I teach a writing class, but when I did I had a procedure in place for students to raise their hands when they finished. That way I’d come pick up their paper, rather than having tons of kids walking all over the place disturbing the kids who were still working. Lastly, I have a no lining up at the door policy. If we finish class early my students are welcome to chat among themselves, but they are not allowed to line up at the door to wait for the bell to ring and they know it.