The Interviews Draw to a Close

I have had four interviews since I last wrote. All of them in different types of schools. There is one I hope to teach at more than the others. However, I would be happy working in any of them. For each of them have their positive qualities.

My first interview was at a magnet school in Raleigh. A school three times the size of Benson.  Being my first interview, I was a bit rusty on using the education buzzwords in my answers. I really liked the people I interviewed with here.

Another interview was at a school that has only been open for a year in Cary. Another big school. It is fair to say, that every school I interviewed in has a population of over 800 students. Before I even stepped foot inside the school, I liked it. All it took was the positive energy exuding from the principal. Whether talking to him on the phone, through e-mail, or in person, he left me with the same message each time – make it a great day. Not only did I like the principal teachers I interviewed with, they asked great questions. (One of them was from Bangor. A good omen?) When asked what was the best thing about working for the school, the teachers responded with students, teamwork, and technology.

I also interviewed at a charter school with a great reputation and a waiting list of 2,000 students. This interview was a bit different from the others. It began with an interview with the HR person. There is no tenure with this school. Teachers need to consistently perform. The position I interviewed was a bit of an anomaly. I would be teaching a 6^th grade inclusion class, 7^th grade inclusion class, two 7^th grade grammar classes, and two 8^th grade get-ready-for-high school classes (I forget the name of it.) I like the idea of teaching more than one grade level. I don’t think I have ever taught just one grade level. If I were to teach here, the girls would get priority to get into the high school.

My last interview was at an inner city school in Durham complete with poverty and many at-risk students. It has been a low performing school, but has made some drastic improvement in the last few years. I would be teaching either 7^th or 8^th grade. The principal had not decided yet. It is a school that teaches the advanced curriculum to all students, yet it is differentiated in such a way that all students can learn. High standards and expectations are the norm. Most of my questions revolved around classroom management and what someone would see upon walking into my classroom. The principal and assistant principals who interviewed me joked around, but got down to business when it was time.  Upon leaving, I learned that the students will each have iPads next year. The teachers will have both iPads and MacBooks.

After each interview, I reflected on the interview while driving home. In the beginning, I realized I didn’t use the buzz words enough – differentiated instruction, assessment, tiered assignments, scaffolding, front-loading,etc…- all strategies I use naturally in the classroom. The questions at each varied; however, I hope that my genuine love of teaching the students came shining through in each one of my interviews. I have no idea if I will be offered any of the positions. I know the charter school has asked about references. A good sign, I think. I should know something by the end of this week or next. I am not going to share where I would like my classroom to be at this time. However, I am going to keep sending prayers, positive vibes, and hopes and wishes for one in particular. Feel free to join me.