Teachers come in!

emJ0605 · August 2010

I've been unemployed since June and after 34 applications.. I'm stuck on a simple question. I need to answer this in a great way so that I get called for an interview.. hopefully! It's a simple and generic question but has me stumped on how to answer it. What do you ladies think? This could help me get a job! All comments are welcomed...

What would you look for to determine that a school district genuinely believes that all kids can learn?

luckygal3 · August 2010

Wow, thats a tough question. I would look at the number of students held back each year and the number of children in summer school. But the answer I would give them is that I would look at extra programs (reading specialists, math tutors, etc) employed by the district to give students the extra help they need.

Hope that helps!

pinkmickey24 · August 2010

I would say that I would look for the different programs and supports the school district offers to its students. I would want to know what programs or interventions they have in place to work with students that are below, on, or above grade level. Also, I would want to see what resources and materials they have that would assist all students. Do they have materials that will reach all of their students across the spectrum of abilities? Do they offer support systems to students and family? Do they reach out in the community to bring in the needed resources?

HTH

FyreFry5 · August 2010

I will think on this some more, but some thoughts that immediately come to mind to get you started:

~Support for teachers to meet each child's needs, including aligned and appropriate curriculum, resources, staff support, collaborative opportunities, a professional community of learning that works together toward the common goal of achievement for every student.

~Forward thinking educators who are interested in new research and strategies, but who also recognize the benefit of the large body of research already available.

Google to find some big buzz words, and fit those in anywhere you can. For example, research-based, collaborative, balanced literacy, brain-based learning, RtII, etc.

It wouldn't hurt to find out as much as you can about these districts before you are interviewed. If you know anybody who teaches there, chat them up to find out what the admins want to hear. Otherwise, go on their website and read their mission statement, check out the teacher's pages if available to see what kinds of things they are doing, etc. The way you really nail this question, IMO, is to tell them the things they are already doing, plus one or two extra. They want to know that you are knowledgeable, and that you will "fit in" (not socially, but you know what I mean).

This is all from a primary perspective, but most of it applies K-12. You didn't say what your cert is in.

Good luck! If I think of anything else I will let you know.

ETA typos

alems · August 2010

As a special education teacher, I would say something about wanting to see that the students with special needs are included as an important part of the school, and not stuck in classrooms hidden away in the basement or something like that.

heatherinokla · August 2010

Here are a few ideas:

-The dropout rate

-Alternative education, special education, gifted and talented opportunities

-Diverse curriculum that appeals to and provides for a variety of learning styles

-Activities that include parents, families, and the community as a whole

Hope that helps a little!

angelyn_g · August 2010

My response would be finding out what support systems the school system has in place for struggling students, whether they have special needs, behavior problems, are gifted, come from difficult home lives, etc.

emJ0605 · August 2010

thanks ladies! I'll let you know if i get a call for an interview! Funny how the most simple questions are the most difficult to answer..

AndBabyWouldMake5 · August 2010

pinkmickey24:
I would say that I would look for the different programs and supports the school district offers to its students. I would want to know what programs or interventions they have in place to work with students that are below, on, or above grade level. Also, I would want to see what resources and materials they have that would assist all students. Do they have materials that will reach all of their students across the spectrum of abilities? Do they offer support systems to students and family? Do they reach out in the community to bring in the needed resources?

HTH

I agree. I'd mention programs for gifted and talented, RtI (response to intervention) and co-teaching (ie a sped teacher and gened teacher working together in a mixed ability classroom). You probably know all those acronyms but sometimes in NY we used different terms.

VeilSdeGTO · August 2010

I'd add DI (Differentiated Instruction) as well.

LeeLee930 · August 2010

VeilSdeGTO:
I'd add DI (Differentiated Instruction) as well.

I was just going to add this (glad I scrolled down first). NYC is big on this right now. The premis is recognizing that students do not all learn the same way, and encouraging teachers to take different approaches when presenting material in order to accomodate the varying learning styles in one class.

Edit: added to post

gorby007 · August 2010

I would look to see that a school is recruiting all kinds of kids. Students that are above grade level, as well as on, and those who have difficulties. I hear a lot of schools brag about their test scores and how amazing their kids are when they have pulled kids into their school that are the top of the top.

Also, I'd look for teachers that are dedicated, supply intervention when needed even if it was after hours.

hth!

DiscusCoach · August 2010

I don't know if that comes from the district. I know my district does, however, I know a few teachers that say they do but don't teach that way.

What would I look for? A variety of programs for kids heading in a variety of directions. We have awesome AP programs for kids heading to 4 year colleges and we also have programs such as mechanics, culinary arts and programs to help kids who are just learning English.

If I was going to look for one program at the HS level - AVID. That would tell you instantly.

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