NCDR: Prepping for an interview Tuesday

nicole0719

I am a high school math teacher and while I absolutely love the school I am at my commute each way is 90 min (this factors in drop off/pick up of both kids). Its getting to be too much for me. I feel neither my students nor my family is getting what they need from me because my life revolved around deadlines to pick up/drop off etc. So I am considering options closer to home. I have interviewed at a few places and am expecting at least one offer for sure and possibly another but i got a call from a school I sent my resume to like 5 months ago to come in for an interview on Tuesday. This would be the perfect place (PreK-12 so my kids could go and its about 10 min from my house and it is a pretty prestigious school).

I am usually very confident on interviews but they told me to prepare a 10-15 min lesson to demonstrate on Geometry. When I asked for a more specific topic she said whatever I want to cover would be fine.

I have no idea what to do it on - there are SO many topics I could choose. On top of that most of my in class time is spent interacting with my students - either having them problem solve or asking them questions and having them be involved. I have no idea how to "lecture" fpr 15 min straight since there will be other faculty and administrators watching me only since school is out of session.

gah -

StellarStina26

So exciting!  Congrats on getting an interview.  And good luck, of course. 

I actually start as a Math Ed major before switching to Broad Field Social Studies Ed.

If I were doing a lesson, I would do it the way that you usually do.  With the interviewers as your students.  Or that is what I always thought would happen if I had to teach a lesson.  With a premise that you aren't really a lecture type teacher.  Geometry is the best though.   

kittycatg12

StellarStina26:

So exciting!  Congrats on getting an interview.  And good luck, of course. 

I actually start as a Math Ed major before switching to Broad Field Social Studies Ed.

If I were doing a lesson, I would do it the way that you usually do.  With the interviewers as your students.  Or that is what I always thought would happen if I had to teach a lesson.  With a premise that you aren't really a lecture type teacher.  Geometry is the best though.   

I would teach a mini-lesson for 5 minutes and then have your "students" work for 5 minutes. Then, you could have a review/student share portion for the last 5 mintues.

Good luck! I have my fingers crossed for you!

rachaelski

Several of the schools I previously worked at required a teaching component...I think it's best NOT do lecture the whole time, make those observing you be your students. 

I'd suggest introducing a simple concept that could be taught and practiced in 15 minutes, showing how you'd working through a lesson cycle. I'd even mention that before you begin your teaching--that you want to show your process of teaching, in addition to your content knowledge, so you'll introduce a succinct concept.  

Make sure you come prepared, whether it be with 1/2 sheets of sample problems, manipulative, etc. 

 

Best of luck! Have fun with it! 

lcmm17

GO MATH!!!! And good luck! I am thinking about going back to school and getting my PhD in math edu or math.