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Classroom tales: A diary
July 13, 2009
So, my job search has come to a short, but fruitful end. This week I’ll be signing the documents and I will officially stop worrying about where to report come September 8th (that is the day they finally decided on, right?). Although my search only consisted of three interviews, it was enough to hear a few good questions and plenty of bad.
Obviously in the interest of time, administrators have to stick to a certain script, but I would have appreciated a curve ball or two thrown in there. In my opinion too many questions sought to quiz me on the proper logistics of a reader’s workshop or Everyday Math.
The favorite questions I heard were mainly in the course of the interview that got me my new job. These were questions that were open-ended and sparked more of a conversation as opposed to questions that simply sought a “correct answer.” The latter rarely reveal details that say much about a teacher’s actual abilities and value to a school. Without further ado, ten questions, in no particular order, that I wish I had a chance to answer:
- What is your educational philosophy? Sure, it’s simple, but more meaningful than, “Why did you decide to be a teacher?”
- What after school programs did you take part in? I don’t think extracurricular involvement should be required of teachers, but it’s definitely worth finding out if a teacher’s willing to put in some extra hours.
- What is one thing you would change about the school you’re leaving? In addition to testing a candidate’s creativity, it would also separate those who would you this as a chance to complain or badmouth their former school from those with actual solutions.
- If you had $5,000 to spend on your classroom, how would you spend it? Again, I think creativity goes a long way in the classroom. This question would also probe a candidate’s resourcefulness, as well as their priorities as an educator.
- What is one way you prepared students for state exams that didn’t involve a mock test or test prep book? Test prep usually focuses on test-taking skills, but it can be viewed very differently. This difference says a lot about a teacher.
- What do you see as the biggest obstacle to our students’ academic achievement? In a high need school there are so many things a teacher could single out to answer this question. What would be especially interesting is whether how much responsibility a teacher accepts for overcoming these issues, or whether they view them as excuses.
- What’s the last book you read? What book(s) are reading now? A good teacher should still be learning and practicing the skills and strategies they are responsible for in the classroom.
- Who was your favorite teacher and why? Many teachers are in the profession because they were inspired by someone else along the way. Who it was and how it happened says a lot about a teacher.
- What is your biggest weakness as a teacher? Honestly, I probably heard this question, but I would have liked it candidly.
- What is the biggest risk you have taken as a teacher? If a teacher can’t answer this question, they probably shouldn’t be teaching in NYC.
Okay, now it’s your turn. What questions would you ask a teacher before you hired them at your school?
Ruben Brosbe just finished his second year teaching in the Bronx. He is writing about his experiences looking for a new position after being excessed this spring. He also blogs at Is Our Children Learning?
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July 13th, 2009 11:19 am
1. Can you give an example of using feedback to improve your teaching.
2. How have you collaborated with other staff in your schools?
3. How do you know if your students are succeeding?
4. What does “differentiated instruction” mean to you?
5. What is your ideal work environment?
6. What are you looking for in a supervisor?
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
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July 13th, 2009 11:27 am
8. What is the most creative thing you’ve ever done?
9. What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
10. In your view, is education more about lighting a fire, or filling a bucket?
(Apologies to W.B. Yeats.) -
July 13th, 2009 9:16 pm
Describe the best lesson you taught in the last month ,,,
and
How do you know it was “the best”?
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July 14th, 2009 12:40 am
Ruben,
I’m starting my first year as a high school teacher this fall, and I’m curious about how you’d answer your question about test prep (#5). I’m looking for ideas to make test prep activities more relevant and engaging. Thanks! -
July 14th, 2009 1:32 am
Gideon,
There’s two ways I could think of to answer question 5. One answer: good readers are good test takers. By improving my students fundamental reading skills (or math skills, etc.) not through “test prep” but through differentiated instruction and best practices, I prepared my students for the test without “drilling and killing.” Nice answer, but not entirely based in reality. Option two: I used games to teach test taking skills in a fun way. For example some skills I wanted to focus on with my students were identifying the elements of a story as well as an author’s purpose, so I used the different terms in a game of ELA Hangman. For math, I created a game called Operations Race where I would read a word problem and students would run to a corner of the gym corresponding with the operation you needed to solve that problem. Hope that helps, my advice in general: make it fun with games and a bit of competition. -
July 14th, 2009 1:34 am
Woops, my comment was addressed to “B” not Gideon.
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July 14th, 2009 7:40 am
Always use Regents items (available on SED website) … on daily class “do now,” weekly quiz or unit exams … have kids “compete” in teams, do research and create their own “questions,” … reward positive performance, pizza, donuts … create a “team” mentality … the “class” as a team, vary the type of test, early in the term give them the questions thee day before the actual test, keep track of “correct” and “incorrect” answers … re-teach topics, items on which student do poorly … be strict, fair and consistent …
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July 14th, 2009 8:54 am
Ruben, I’m loving your column, first of all. Second, I’m curious about your two answers to how-to-test-prep-in-a-fun-way. Why isn’t the first answer correct?
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July 14th, 2009 9:02 am
[...] COMMUNITY: 10 Questions I Didn’t Hear (But Wish I Had) [...]
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July 30th, 2009 6:49 pm
I love the list, Ruben, especially 3-6 and 10.
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