“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success”
As teachers, we all know that preparation is key. Planning and preparation are among the core qualities of an effective teacher. Interview preparation is no different and there are a number of reasons for this.
First and foremost, preparing for an interview provides you with an opportunity to organise all of the wonderful information and experiences you have into structured, applicable answers which are relevant to the question being asked. Preparing for an interview gives us a space to engage with current and up to date research, as well as new programmes and resources available to teachers.
Interview preparation, above anything else, provides us with self-belief and the self-esteem to engage with an interview board in a confident and self-assured manner.
This is vitally important.
You must believe in you- there is no one quite like you!
1. Know who you are and what your strengths, qualities and talents are
This seems like an obvious one, but is often one of the first questions asked in an interview and can challenge candidates. The main reason for this is because it is a question that we often refer to as being “easy! I know everything about myself and what I am going to say”.
It is only when you begin to say it out loud that this answer is difficult to structure as some information about yourself will not be relevant while other information is significant. It is one of the most important questions as if it is not answered well, can unsettle a candidate.
2. What does an effective teacher look like?
We all know what an effective teacher looks like but do you have the appropriate vocabulary (buzzwords) to describe this?
It is important to have a structured, applicable and relevant answer ready for this question.
For example, an organised teacher is important, but an inclusive, well planned, child-centred teacher creates a picture in our minds of a superhero- this is what we want!
3. Holistic Education
Now, more than ever, holistic education is fundamental to teaching and learning in our schools. Holistic education is a comprehensive approach to teaching where educators seek to address the emotional, social, ethical and academic needs of the students in an integrated learning format.
It is important to be clear on ways in which you plan for holistic education in your classroom and therefore, promote positive mental health within your classroom and beyond.
The term ‘inclusive education’ is one that can disorientate candidates throughout an interview. Inclusive Education is very simple, it means that all children are educated in one setting, have equal opportunity, are challenged, and are provided with adequate supports, irrespective of their needs.
The NCSE (2011) spoke about inclusive education as ‘removing barriers so that each learner will be enabled to achieve the maximum benefit from his/her learning’. It is important for candidates to be clear on how students with Special Educational Needs, Gifted Students and all students’ learning will be planned for. Having a clear understanding of The New Language Curriculum and The Continuum of Support are great places to start!
5. Research the school and know what they value most
Knowing and referring to the achievements, values and priorities of a school is very important in an interview. An example of this may be that the school community are passionate about promoting positive mental health throughout the school. Can you add to this? What would you like to add? Have you engaged in any initiatives or programmes previous to this interview such as The Amber Flag Initiative with Pieta House? It is crucial that you make reference to the research you have done on the school and how you can be of help in further developing some initiatives and ideas.
Psst… to read another blog post on interviews, check out this article.
Bonus = Believe in YOU!
Remember, you are unique and there will never be another you. Have confidence in your abilities. You are a qualified individual and this interview is an opportunity to showcase YOU!
The Primary Teacher Interview Consultancy - How can we help?
The Primary Teacher Interview Consultancy was established to help teachers, at any stage of their career, in any educational setting, engage in interview preparation and guidance, to realise and achieve their full potential.
The consultancy has many consultation plans which cater for those of all levels of experience and self-confidence within the area of teaching interviews.
We delve into all relevant topics, current research, legislation, policies and circulars.
We provide for well-structured answers and a high standard of vocabulary and language, also known as ‘buzzwords’.
All consultations include a copy of our ‘Sample Questions Booklet’. We are here to support you, through guidance consultations and mock interviews, to ensure that you achieve your goals.
All Rahoo followers receive a 10% discount when quoting ‘Rahoo’ on booking, before the 1st of July 2021.
Follow us on Instagram for lots of tips & sample questions- @teacherinterviewireland
Email us at primaryteacherinterview@gmail.com to make an enquiry/ booking
Psst… to read another blog post on applying for jobs from a principal’s perspective, check out what Principal Niamh Cullen had to say in this article.
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