I.T. to Teacher

I think the interview went well. I was interviewed by two deans who we'll call Stitch and Coach. Stitch lead the interview which was held in her office. Neither of the deans had a math background, which I found odd since I'm being considered for a math position.

Stitch and I talked about my background and why I want to be a teacher. I was expecting this question. I tried and tried to find a way to avoid the cliche "I want to do something more fulfilling/meaningful/worthwhile/etc", but I couldn't. I said something along the lines of wanting my hard work to have a purpose beyond making money for a company, but somewhere in there "fulfilling" slipped out. I could have kicked myself for being so cliche (I hate being cliche), but both deans nodded to themselves and Stitch commented that that was a reason she became a teacher. Oh well, maybe cliches are what they want to hear.

Coach arrived after we talked about my background. She asked me about my experience with at-risk kids. I told her my teaching experience consists of a month of subbing. She looked a little confused (I don't know why, she had already looked over my resume) so Stitch explained my background. Coach changed tack and gave me an example of an at-risk kid (someone who is not up to grade level in a subject) and asked me how I would deal with them. I said I would talk to the student and try to figure out what was going on, and I would solicit advise from other teachers. They liked the part about asking other teachers for help.

I was asked how I would deal with students persistently talking during my lecture time. I said I would give warnings, then move them and set up a seating chart if necessary. They liked that answer.

I had been asked to prepare a lesson plan for 1 class period for a concept of my choosing as well as prepare to demonstrate how I would teach a topic. I wasn't told ahead of time that the topics should be the same. I prepared a lesson plan and homework handout on polynomial multiplication (remember FOIL anyone?), and I prepared a 10 minute lecture on vectors. Coach commented that my lesson plan had a nice layout. I'm guessing that's a good thing. They didn't have any questions about it or suggestions for it so I guess they liked it. After they looked at my plan Stitch asked me to talk about how I would teach the concept. I told them I had prepared a lecture on vectors using a chalkboard, but I can teach polynomials too. I pulled out another lesson plan and started talking about how I would teach polynomials (good think I can think fast).

At the start of my lesson plan I spend 5 minutes reminding the students about the distributive property. I was asked what I would do if a student had been absent and had missed the distributive property. For those of you who don't remember your math, missing the distributive property means you've missed at least Jr. High math, if not more. I didn't point that out. I just said I'd put more examples on the board for the class to work on their own while I helped the student who was behind. They seemed to like that answer.

After I talked about polynomials Stitch asked me to teach them vectors. Vectors are a more visual lesson than polynomials which is why I chose them. I figured I'd have a chalk/whiteboard to draw arrows on. Nope. I waved my hands in the air a lot while explaining vectors, and I think I got the point across, but it's hard without a chalk/whiteboard.

I was asked what my hobbies were since they're looking to round out their staff with people who can coach or sponsor a club. All 3 of us had running in common. I didn't mention that by the time the school year rolls around I'll be deep into training for my 50 mile race I'm planning in October. By then my life will be teach, run, sleep, repeat. There will be no room for hobbies.

The time came when I was asked if I had any questions. I didn't have questions because I didn't know what to ask. Well that won't do so I made a comment about it being hard to know what to ask since I've never done this before while I was trying to think of something, anything, to ask. I came up with a couple of questions that sounded good. I already knew the answers to them (from my friend who teaches at the school), but that they didn't know I already knew the answers.

Coach asked me if I would be willing to help out with the technology side of the school since they only have 2 people doing tech for the whole school. What could I say? I wanted to say no since I've been told that once they know you know computers you're stuck helping everyone with their computers (that's from you, RGB). I couldn't say no, though, since it's an interview and I didn't want to come across as unhelpful. I think I figured out a good answer. I said I would, but I was hesitant to do it since I'll be so busy my first year just learning how to teach. I gave a mental Kirk Gibson fist pump to that one.

Overall I think it went well. They said there will probably be another interview since it's still early in the process of hiring for next year (maybe there will be a math person at the next interview?). I'm taking that as a good sign.

Hat Tip to Puls for all the help preparing. I'm sure you recognize some of my answers above.