Science Teacher Interview Preparation Guide

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Although much of what they have accomplished is listed on the applications, this opportunity to share tells me a little about them and makes them feel welcome. It’s good for me to know about their background and interests when I am introducing them to teachers on the staff. Additionally, this informal chatter gives me insight into how the candidates present themselves. I am looking more for their composure than for any particular answers.

About your knowledge of the curriculum - overall and specific expectations.

The rights of an exceptional child to a specialized program: IPRC, IEP, Annual Review

I typically plan lessons weekly based upon what the content for that unit looks like, what learning styles are present in the class and what modifications have to be made in order for all students to succeed.

earning styles, exceptionalities, accommodations, modifications.

I researched the school prior to submitting my resume and I immediately noticed that you focus on exellence for every student every day and that means students are familiar with having high expectations set by the school. That is my style.

I would like to be one of those teachers who some day gets visits from previous students. That must be pretty rewarding: to know, definitively, that you've had a profound and positive impact on your kids' lives.

A file is stored permanently in a storage device.It is easy to access a file whenever required. On the other hand, a string is stored temporarily in RAM, and the contents of a string will be erased automatically when the power is switched off or when the program execution is terminated.

Everyone learns differently and the great teachers are not the ones who help the students who get it easily but the ones who help the struggling students.

Long-range plans, unit plans, daily plans - refer to resources available - school library, other teachers on the team, internet, consultants, resource teachers, etc.

You’d better if you want to do a good job teaching. Kids know if you don’t like them and they will not respect you if you don’t like them.

If I could teach only one subject, I would teach psychology, history, economics or sociology.

Do I need to say more?

History is an integral part of life because the past creates the foundation for the future. Through learning history we can also see mistakes and improve on them. Students learn about the democratic process, government, and can apply these things in every day life through the voting process and becoming involved in local government as well.

The teacher's role in dealing with special needs students - knowledge and understanding of curriculum expectations, instructional and assessment strategies, communication with parents, etc.

The question helps me gauge the applicant’s understanding of where they are in the developmental process to becoming a great teacher. Then I always ask what plan the applicant has to grow in those areas. I want to see if they plan to do some reading, attend workshops, observe a specific teacher who has fine-tuned those needed skills.

The most frustrating thing that happened to me is when a student wanted to quit working on an assignment. It was not because he didn't want to do it; it was because he felt he could not do it. He didn't have the skills to do the assignment.

Are they going to fit in with your school? Are they ok with a noisy class? That’s my favorite. Or do they favor the sit and get method of teaching?

I have the ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand, read and understand information and ideas presented in writing, apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense, listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences, speak clearly so others can understand you.

All good teachers are effective when the students ‘get it.’ I am looking for those teachers who have several alternate plans in mind when kids don’t understand the material.

If you interview in the United States, school administrators love to talk about state, local, or national standards! Reassure your interviewer that everything you do ties into standards. Be sure the lesson plans in your portfolio have the state standards typed right on them. When they ask about them, pull out your lesson and show them the close ties between your teaching and the standards.

I have a hybrid that includes early on direct instruction from a personal model perspective. In the beginning of the year I lead by example. I demonstrate to the students the procedures required to be successful in class. As the year, passes I begin to add more inquiry based learnijng stragaties where the student can explore and activilty participate in the learning process. I also like to add cooperative learning strategies where students with work together in the learning process on special projects. One example of the last two learning styles would be to research, create, and write a historical monograph and have it printed.

If they don’t know this is an issue and haven’t thought about strategies for it they may not be ready.

My greatest strength is my compassionate nature, I have been through quite a lot during my lifetime and that has made me one to seek forgiveness and understanding despite the person or situation at hand. It is with this quality that I have been able to bridge gaps between student and teacher. For one of the phrases that I live by is: "A student will not care how much you know until they know how much you care."

The most effective strategies include teaching to all modalities, using a multi-sensory approach. I try to include a variety of assignments such as group projects, research and presentations.