As educators, we all want to empower students to take control of their learning. If you're like me, you love seeing your students actively engaged in research while building creative and critical thinking skills through hands-on learning. Watching students work on collaborative projects brings you immense joy and hearing them exclaim, "Today was fun!" is music to your ears.
To bring this vision to life, I created the Create Your Own Podcast Project - a ready to use resource that makes launching a student-led podcast simple, engaging and deeply rewarding.
What's Included?
⭐12 Resources for Teachers and Students - use all the activities or just choose the ones you wish to use as students create their own podcasts!
An Overview of the Project - it will guide you through the activities included in the resource.
The Teacher Checklist - use the checklist to prepare for the project in your classroom and set students up for success.
The Rubric - graded categories included content, design, neatness, speaking style and group work. The point values are left blank so you can customize it for your classroom.
Teacher Notes - print out a page for each group and take notes for yourself as you monitor student progress on the project. It will make grading easier in the end!
Create Your Own Podcast Directions - basic directions for students that explains the purpose of podcasts and an outline of the steps they'll take to create their own podcast.
The Podcast Checklist - a step-by-step checklist for students to use as they plan, create edit and revise their podcast.
The Audience Activity - students will pair up with another student in the classroom to complete this interview-style activity. Along the way they'll learn important information about their audience which they'll use as they create their own podcasts!
The Script - students can use these pages to write an outline for the script, take notes or even write the script itself.
Role Cards - use these role cards to give specific jobs to students. There are 6 role cards included, and students can take on more than one role.
Podcast Advertisement Activity and Point Sheet - task students with creating an advertisement for their podcast and hang it up in your classroom to create buzz and excitement before students present their podcasts to the class!
Student Reflection Activity - after presenting their podcast, students can use the reflection activity to share their experiences and thoughts about the project.
⭐Create Your Own Podcast Slideshow - a 10-page slideshow (PowerPoint and Google Slides versions included) to teach students about the purpose and types of podcasts and a step-by-step guide to creating their own podcast! (Slideshows are not editable)
The Create Your Own Podcast Project is a game-changer for student engagement, collaboration and critical thinking. Whether you're fostering discussion, storytelling or research skills, this project empowers students to take ownership of their learning in an exciting, real-world format - without extra prep for teachers!
Ready to give it a try? Download the Create Your Own Podcast Project today and watch the excitement unfold in your classroom!
Welcome to the season of gratitude and giving thanks! Engaging Thanksgiving activities aren't just for elementary students anymore. Middle school students can join in on the fun! As Thanksgiving approaches, teachers have a unique opportunity to teach their students about the history of the holiday and its significance in American culture. Here are some fun and educational ideas just for you!
Idea #1: Consider teaching your students about the origins of Thanksgiving and the history surrounding the creation of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. An easy, no-prep option is The History of Thanksgiving Web Quest. You can print it out or assign it digitally. All your students need is access to the internet! They'll watch two brief YouTube videos and visit kid-friendly websites to learn about the story of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people and their celebration of the harvest in 1621. They'll also explore the history of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, including its declaration by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and the involvement of presidents like George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt in the establishment of the holiday. Finally, students will learn about the debate surrounding the first Thanksgiving and understand common customs and traditions associated with the holiday. At the end, you can ask your students to compare and contrast the origins of Thanksgiving with their own family traditions, if you wish!
Idea #2: Explore the cultural significance of food! Thanksgiving is a holiday that is centered around food. You can teach your students about the cultural significance of food and how different cultures celebrate with food. Encourage your students to share their own family traditions and recipes. Top it off with a fun Thanksgiving feast or party in your classroom if you have the time!
Idea #3: Create a gratitude journal. Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and reflection. Encourage your students to create a gratitude journal where they can write down things they are thankful for. This can be a great way to help them develop a positive mindset and foster a sense of gratitude.
Idea #4: Consider incorporating a service project or community activity into your Thanksgiving lesson plans. Encourage your students to give back to their communities by volunteering at a local food bank or homeless shelter, or by collecting donations for those in need. Alternatively, you can talk to your principal and choose a volunteer activity to improve your school community! This will help your students understand the importance of gratitude and giving back, and encourage them to make a positive impact in their communities.
Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for teachers to engage their students in meaningful discussions about history, culture, and community service. Leave a comment if you tried one of these activities or have a favorite that I didn't mention!
As teachers, we wear many hats. Teacher, mentor, listener, event planner, cheerleader, mediator, entertainer, motivational speaker...and on and on! We also have to be good communicators. We communicate with our students every day, of course, but we also need to be mindful of communicating with our students' families on a regular basis. When you have over 100 students, it seems like a daunting task. You may wish you could email each student's family individually every other week with a kind note about their progress, but there's just not enough time. That's where a class newsletter saves the day.
Why Use a Classroom Newsletter?
A classroom newsletter serves two purposes: it saves time and it allows you to effectively and efficiently communicate with your students' families. Communication is key because we are all working as a community to support the students.
What Does a Newsletter Look Like?
This is the beautiful part - it can look however you want. Are you a creative soul with time to craft a detailed one-page (or more, wow!) letter with multiple columns and pictures? Go for it! Short on time and want to write a paragraph or two in a mass email summarizing recent class activities or upcoming due dates? That works perfectly, too. I prefer to send mine digitally to all the families with access to an email and make a paper copy for those without easy access to the internet. The main goal is that you are communicating with families and keeping them updated on what's happening in the classroom. I love the responses I get from families after I send a newsletter or email and feel that it creates a stronger community between my classroom and students' homes.
How Often Should I Send a Newsletter?
Again - you decide! While I love to aim for once a week (Fridays being my favored day), sometimes its just a bit too much to handle. If once a week seems daunting, aim for twice a month. The important part is that you are opening the lines of communication between your classroom and your students' homes. It can make a huge difference in creating a positive classroom environment and managing student behaviors when your students know that the lines of communication are open between teachers and parents.
What Information Can Be Included?
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Upcoming due dates
2. Overview of recent class activities
3. Pictures of student work (and students working, with parent permission!)
4. Reminders about upcoming tests
5. Study strategies
6. School-wide events
7. Requests for classroom donations
8. Student Spotlight - choose a student (or a few to ensure everyone gets chosen throughout the year) to highlight in each newsletter or email blast
9. A list of optional supplemental resources students can use at home to further their learning about your class content
10. A link to a helpful blog post that parents may find interesting as they support their child's academic success from home
Your turn! What else should our teacher community include in our frequent communication with families? Leave a comment with your thoughts to help us all grow as educators in our efforts to effectively communicate with families.
I love teaching Social Studies. I really love it. It's exciting to present historical concepts to students and find ways to make it interesting and engaging for them. I love hearing comments like, "Social Studies is my favorite class" and "Social Studies is really fun" because they often come from students who were wary of the subject at the start of the school year. Through our activities and the creation of a positive classroom environment, they find an appreciation for my favorite school subject and sometimes it even becomes their favorite subject of the year. How cool is that?!
I also love sharing my passion for teaching Social Studies and connecting with teachers like you who share that same love of learning and bringing history to life in their classrooms! But where to begin? Hint: it involves lots of freebies which are included in a FREE Introduction to Social Studies Mini Unit - 5 complete days of lessons - all activities are included - just for you!
Here are some lesson ideas for introducing the subject of social studies in your classroom:
Hook Ideas
A good hook activity is a great way to start a new lesson. It grabs students' attention and sets the scene for the unit or daily lesson. Here are some easy ideas:
1. True or False?
Write a brief series of questions about the study of history and some key terms you plan to cover. Ask students to raise their thumbs in the air (up for yes, down for no) in response to the questions. It's an easy and fun way to assess prior knowledge. You can also use mini white boards and have students collaborate in groups of 2-3 to answer true or false. After each question, you can review the right answer.
2. YouTube Videos
I love finding a great (and brief!) YouTube video to use during a lesson. Here are some of my favorites to introduce the subject of social studies:
This hook is perfect for mini whiteboards. Ask students to draw or write images, words, doodles, etc. when they think of the words "social studies" or "history". These images can spark discussions about concepts that relate to social studies!
A Word Wall
Hold up! Do you have a word wall in your classroom? If not, it's time to start. A word wall is a place to collect the important vocabulary terms you are teaching in your unit. You can even collect and keep them up all year! Word walls give students a chance to review and interact with vocabulary daily. The more students interact with vocabulary terms, the more connections they can make between ideas and build upon those concepts to better understand and make deeper connections to curriculum content.
You can make your own word wall for an Introduction to Social Studies unit or download this free resource from my TpT store! :)
Introduction to Social Studies Activities
Now that your students are hooked, it's time to dive into the unit. I've created some free resources in my TpT store - The Teacher's Prep- to help you in this endeavor!
1. Vocabulary Activities
We've already discussed the importance of vocabulary posted in a word wall - now let's talk about some activities students can complete to interact with the vocabulary in a variety of ways!
The Introduction to Social Studies Vocabulary Activities resource (it's free, too!) has three activities to use with your students. I like spreading out these activities over the course of the unit to give kids extra practice.
The first activity I typically start with is the Introduction to Social Studies Vocabulary activity in which students write the definitions for each vocabulary term. As we use the terms in class during the unit, I give them time to write a sentence using each word in the chart.
On subsequent days, there are two more activities to use - a matching activity and a crossword puzzle. Again, the more students interact with the words, the more opportunities they will have to understand the important concepts you are teaching in class!
If that sounds like activities you'd find useful in your classroom, download it here!
2. Informational Text
Ok, now it's time to dive into the heart of the unit - reading informational text! If you don't already have access to informational text or would like to supplement the resources you currently have, I've created an Introduction to Social Studies Interactive PowerPoint that is filled with informational text students can read. It also directly corresponds to a set of interactive notebook graphic organizers for student note taking.
Oh! And not only is it available in PowerPoint in an interactive format, there's also TpT Easel and Google Drive versions included, too. I've got you covered!
How do students organize their notes for this unit? In an interactive notebook! I love these graphic organizers because they consolidate student notes in one place. The graphic organizers directly correlate to all the activities I've mentioned above so far and give students the opportunity to summarize the main ideas and details they learn as they are introduced to the study of history.
I love interactive notebooks so much, I made complete sets for Ancient History, American History and Civics / American Government ... in both paper and digital formats. You can check them out by clicking on the links in the last sentence!
Last (for now!) but certainly not least are task cards. Task cards can be used as bell ringers, entrance tickets, exit tickets, station work and more! I alternate their use based on my class needs of the day, but they include brief writing prompts to encourage students to think critically about the content they are learning in class.
If task cards seem like something you'd like to add to your Introduction to Social Studies unit, click here to download a free resource of them from my TpT store!
And Finally...
Thank you for all you do for your students to bring history to life in your classroom and engage students in topics that will foster a love of learning. I hope these resources make your life a bit easier and save you valuable time in the school year.
I absolutely love hearing from teachers like you. If you find the resources useful in your classroom, I invite you to leave me a note in the feedback sections and let me know how you used the activities in your classroom. I read every word and your notes mean so much to me!
Happy Teaching!
Oh, and here's a link (click here!) directly to a page in my TpT store that lists all of these free resources in case you don't want to scroll back through the post. :)
It's the first day of school. Whether you've welcomed students into your classroom for many years or it's your first year ever, it's always exciting (and sometimes a bit terrifying!) to meet so many new students at the start of the year. You know you're going to spend the next year together and making a good first impression is the key to getting started on the right note. Here are 5 ideas to take with you into the new school year:
Tip #1: Over Plan
In one of my first years as a teacher, I made the mistake of under planning for the first day of school. I worked so hard to make everything perfect but I didn't anticipate how fast some of the activities would be completed. As a result, I found myself looking up at the clock and seeing 15 minutes left of class staring back at me...along with 22 faces waiting to see what I had planned for them for the rest of class. Oops. I quickly added a small review game, but I felt so disorganized. I had put so much thought into the first day of school but had made a classic rookie mistake. With that in mind, my first advice for you is to over plan. Have a back-up activity or two already prepared in case you find yourself with some wiggle room at the end of class. If students see that you have fully prepared for their arrival on Day 1, you'll already be off to a great start.
Tip #2: Make a Seating Chart
I'm sure there are some benefits in allowing students to sit wherever they'd like on the first day of school, but it is definitely not a strategy that works for me! There are two big reasons I have a seating chart posted right when they walk into the classroom: it establishes order and parameters on Day 1 and I can call them by their name when we start our activities. I love seeing student's faces when I call them by their name within 5 minutes of entering my classroom. It immediately starts establishing the positive classroom community I strive to create in my classroom. They know my name and I know theirs! It shows them that I care about them as individuals. (And yes, I do keep a seating chart in my hand or nearby so I can discreetly refer to it during class - it takes me a few days to memorize all those new student names!) Having a seating chart also demonstrates that the classroom is organized and a plan is in place for their learning. It sets the stage for a great school year right away.
Tip #3: Change it Up
I've made the mistake of spending half the class period (or more!) discussing my syllabus, classroom rules, procedures, etc. Talk about a BORING first day for the kids! Now, I change it up and make a point to select 3 or 4 different activities for an hour-long class. I usually start with a small icebreaker that doesn't put kids on the spot. Then I give kids my welcome letter which introduces them to the class and review over the parts I think are most important on Day 1. Then, we review some class rules and end with a few games / activities to get them talking and moving around. I spread out my classroom rules, procedures, syllabus, etc. over the first 2-3 days of school so as to not overwhelm the kids with too much information all at one time. They will appreciate you for it!
P.S. If you're looking for some fun digital activities for the first week of school, check out some of my favorites here!
Tip #4: Choose a Game (or two!)
I love to host a game or two on the first day of school! Also called icebreakers, these fun little games or activities encourage students to communicate with each other and helps you learn more about their personalities right from the start.
Side note: Icebreakers can make...or break...a child's confidence in your class on Day 1. Seriously. I love a good icebreaker, but never want to put a child in a position where they feel uncomfortable on the first day - this is the opposite of my goal of building a positive classroom community! This means I make sure to choose icebreakers that aren't going to put a singular student "on the spot" (like a solo skit/charades or solo public speaking role). Ultimately, it depends on the class and you know your students best, but sometimes those types of icebreakers are better left for later in the year when students know each other better and feel more comfortable in your classroom.
That being said, here are some of my favorites. (Some of these can be found in my Back to School Activity resources on TpT!) Check them out here for sixth, seventh and eighth grade:
InstaFriend: This activity gets students moving around the room and interviewing classmates! Their InstaFriend paper has a series of descriptions and characteristics. When they find a student who matches the description, they write their name on the box. Each name can only be used once!
Right or Wrong: This activity is perfect for a class who loves skits. These skits are centered around our class rules, expectations and procedures. I first divide students into small groups of 2-3. Each group then randomly receives one of our class procedures or expectations. As a group, they have to work together to create two mini skits - one showing the RIGHT way to follow the expectation, the other showing the WRONG way. Hilarity ensues when showing the wrong way to follow a class rule. After each skit, I point out all the positive behaviors as well as reinforce the correct ways to conduct ourselves in the classroom.
Online Games: Something new I tried last year was a great success: taking the classroom rules, procedures, policies, syllabus information, etc. and turning them into a fun online review game at the end of the week! The kids LOVED the games and it was a fun way to review. Some of my current favorite game websites are Blooket, Quizlet, Kahoot and Gimkit.
Tip #5: Dress for Success
Every individual teacher has their own preference for clothes, so this is not a tip about wearing particular types of clothes or styles on the first day of school - just advice recommending that you dress to impress in a way that fits your style. When students walk into the room, they are making a first impression of you. What will it be? I make sure to dress teacher-professional that day because I want my students to see not only my classroom neat and organized, but also my appearance. My main goal is to convey that I take my time at school and their learning seriously and that I am organized and will conduct myself as someone who is approachable and professional. What you wear conveys your personality - both on a personal and professional note - to your students. They are watching carefully!
There are SO many things to think about as you prepare for the first day of school. If you were creating your own list of 5 things every middle school teacher should do on the first day of school, what would it say? Add your thoughts to the comments section to help other teachers ace that first day, too! :)
Ah, March, how I love your warm days and the promises of Spring Break...but oh how I grumble at the thought of the busy testing season that lies ahead. In April the testing season begins in earnest, and no matter how confident I feel, there's still this little nagging voice that whispers, "Are we ready?" I think it's just latent testing anxiety that originated in my youth, but nevertheless, it persists. That brings us to our reflection of the month:
Question: What anxiety are you feeling? What steps are you taking to find life's positive moments?
My Response: At this point in the school year, any anxiety I'm feeling usually centers around the hectic schedule of testing and end-of-the-year activities. (Yes, I know it's only March, but the calendar is already starting to fill up and planning for class activities takes time!) Thankfully I have wonderfully supportive colleagues that share equally in the planning process and greatly reduce any anxiety I'm feeling. During the busy testing season, I also take time to stop and make sure my students know how proud I am of their work throughout the school year and try to create moments where we celebrate their accomplishments and growth. Above all, I make sure that my students see none of the stress I may be feeling. They are incredible individuals that work hard to succeed every day. I know that they already put pressure on themselves to succeed on the state tests - even when the adults around them reassure that all will be well. My goal for March is to make sure I find the time to celebrate the positive moments of each school day amidst the hectic schedule of the school year as it marches towards the lazy days of Spring Break and summer vacation.
Now it's your turn! Share your response in the comments or write it in your own reflection journal.
These blogs are always on my reading list because they're filled with a wealth of information and resources for middle school teachers and homeschool groups!
I'm Lovin' Lit
Erin's blog is filled with great ideas for middle school language arts teachers. I love her tips on using interactive notebooks and her general advice on being successful in a middle school classroom. She always has wise words to offer her readers!
Secondary Sara
Sara writes about all things reading and language arts on her blog. As a social studies teacher, I love using her blog to gain helpful tips on creating engaging writing activities for my own students and learning about ways I can support the ELA teacher on my team.
Maneuvering in the Middle
Noelle is a math teacher extraordinaire! Her blog is chock-full of ideas to engage students in math class. Her website is beautifully designed and her content is relevant and insightful. She even has posts that appeal to teachers who teach other subjects, like this one that I love: 12 Creative Incentives for Middle School. Your math colleagues will thank you for passing it along to them!
Stephanie's History Store Blog
Stephanie's blog is perfect for middle school social studies teachers. She has tips on teaching kids in middle grades and writes about fun and engaging ideas for history classes. I loved her blog post about analyzing historical images!
The Science Duo
Beyond a beautifully designed blog, The Science Duo are known for writing tons of helpful posts specifically for science teachers in secondary grades. I love their idea for a domino review game - it's definitely a post I'm passing along to my friends in science class!
Brainy Apples
Heather's blog is designed for teachers looking to go the extra mile for their students. You can feel her passion for teaching exploding from her posts. Although she writes about a variety of subject matters, one of my go-to posts is about using primary sources in the classroom. She brought up a lot of important points that every social studies and language arts teacher should read, in my opinion! We should all strive to use more primary sources in our units. :)
The Cult of Pedagogy
Jennifer's blog is a powerhouse of content for teachers and administrators. I could spend hours pouring over the posts on her blog. One area in particular that I find unique and relevant are her posts on educator collaboration. I firmly believe that by working together, teachers can create resources of the highest quality. Collaboration can be really tough...but it can also be one of the most beautiful experiences on campus.
Minds in Bloom
Rachel's blog is well-known for creating helpful content for teachers in many grade levels and always features stellar blog posts from guest writers. From parent involvement in the classroom to novel ideas to excite kids in pretty much every subject in school, Rachel's blog is a great resource for every middle school teacher.
If you think I need to add a blog to my reading list, please leave me a message in the comments section!
One of my favorite ways to engage my students in historical content is through the use of reader's theaters. Reader's theaters are small skits that students read aloud either in small groups or to the whole class. I use them in social studies and they are commonly used in ELA. I'd love to see more geared towards science content as well! Here's how I use reader's theaters with my middle school students:
The Prep
Before using a reader's theater skit, I determine if there's any vocabulary words that my students need to understand. If so, I teach them the key words first.
The Reader's Theater
I've used reader's theaters both to introduce and reinforce content. That's the beauty of this type of activity - each teacher has full discretion over when to use it! I always use them as a whole class activity. I choose some students (usually volunteers) to play the roles and provide each student with a script. Since I use many reader's theaters throughout the year, I ensure that every student has the opportunity to be part of at least one skit. Usually there's plenty of roles for students to become historical figures multiple times throughout the year. As the small group reads and acts out the skit, the rest of the class watches and listens quietly. Since the skits are short, engaging and informative, the students LOVE to watch their peers!
The Assessment
After the reader's theater ends, I hold a brief class discussion to asses student understanding of the content. If you purchase the reader's theaters from my TpT store, there are 5 discussion questions already included. I use that time to address questions, take student comments and connect the skit to the concepts we've been learning in class.
From start to finish, the whole process usually takes 20 - 30 minutes depending upon the amount of time needed during the prep phase. Overall, they are an efficient and engaging way to reinforce my classroom content!
If you're interested in trying one out in your classroom for free, click HERE to download the Declaration of Independence Reader's Theater Freebie from my TpT store.
To see all the Reader's Theaters currently offered in The Teacher's Prep store, click HERE! I'm adding to the collection all the time.
P.S. There are no affiliate links in this post. There are links to Amazon but they're just regular old links! :)
I LOVE shopping for new supplies for my classroom before the school year starts. It's an opportunity for me to upgrade my organizational tools, change the color scheme and work to improve the classroom environment for my new students.
Here are some of my favorite things for Back to School that won't break the bank!
1. Flair Pens - These pens are GORGEOUS and I love using them to grade papers, plan lessons and write little notes of encouragement to my kiddos.
2. Post-It Notes - My students say that I'm the "Queen of Sticky Notes"... and I totally agree with them. There are sticky notes all over my desk. The blue colors are perfect for my décor!
3. Expo Markers - I'm a little obsessed with having a colorful collection of Expo Markers for my whiteboard.
P.S. I also use mini whiteboards with my students. I always order a few boxes of the skinny markers online because they're often cheaper (unless you can snag some in a great Back to School sale!!)
4. Paper Organizer / Inbox - Stacked inboxes are a must-have in my classroom. Now if only I had a magic wand to make my papers grade themselves...
5. Astrobright Paper - I love printing labels, posters and class sets of directions on colored paper because it's easy to spot. Class sets of documents especially fall into that category since I collect them at the end of every class. The kids rarely take them home by accident because they're so bright and easy to see! I was excited to find the Astrobright paper on Amazon because it actually costs less to buy it there then at my local superstore. Score!
6.Ancient Civilizations Posters - 5 pack - I may have gotten a teeny bit too excited when I spotted these posters on Amazon (and the price). I love the imagery and information on the posters and I know my students will, too.
7. Cascading Wall Organizer - I like that this organizer from Amazon gets papers off the desk and onto the wall, especially for those of us who have that weirdly-sized wall space behind our desks and can't figure out what to do with it.
8. Desk Calendar - Having a desk calendar is an essential tool to keep life in and outside the classroom organized. How beautiful is this one with the peacock feather design?!
9. Highlighters - I've ordered a bunch of highlighters for my students to use this year when marking up primary and secondary sources. Seeing different sections of the documents marked with certain colors help students break apart difficult text for a better understanding of the purpose of the documents.
10. Paper Trimmer - If you plan on cutting a lot of paper this year, save your hands from scissor-cramps! I love my paper trimmer and use it all the time.
I hope you all are gearing up for the start of a fantastic new school year! Happy Teaching!
Whether you’re fresh out of college, making a career change
or finding yourself in need of a new position in the school system, the interview is a daunting hurdle
faced by everyone.Hearing the words, “You’re
hired!” was the sweetest sound my new-teacher ears had ever heard. Happy dancing ensued and I was more than ready
for the wonderful challenge of being an educator.
Right now, though, you may be where I was when the interview
process had just begun…scared, nervous, excited…and frantically searching the
internet for practice questions and tips for finding success in those school
interviews.Since becoming a new teacher
not too long ago, I’ve had the opportunity to sit on the other side of the
table and be a part of interviewing committees. Here’s a secret: the process is
just as challenging on the part of the interviewers, too! Who knew?! I seriously
thought it would be a breeze to interview candidates…after all, I wasn’t in the hot seat anymore! As
they say, there is always more to learn and I’m excited to share some insight
in hopes that it helps YOU ace your teacher interview.
I know I’m starting with a basic tip, but you’d be surprised
at how many candidates show up in wrinkled or ill-fitting clothes! When you
walk into the interview room that first impression is vital. You don’t have to
spend a ton of money, but arrive in a smart suit or skirt with a classic blouse
or ironed and well-fitted Oxford shirt. (Hint: the buttons shouldn’t pull
across your stomach or chest to reveal skin or an undershirt! And yes, that
actually happened.)As an interviewer,
when I see someone who has clearly taken time to prepare themselves for a good
first impression….well…I’m impressed! (See? It works!)
My favorite places to shop for business attire are Ann Taylor, Macy's, Dillard's and New York and Company. Head for the sales racks first to see if you can snag a deal. I was able to luck into great sales when I visited these stores before my interviews.
Also, make sure your hair is brushed, any makeup appears natural, and stick to simple jewelry. Save the statement necklaces for later!
A small portfolio with samples of a lesson or two that represent
your teaching style will help interviewers get a better idea of your
potential. If you’re brand new to teaching and don’t have any lessons prepared,
bring samples of lessons that excite you and that you would like to use in your
own classroom! The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate that you are
ready to bring new or innovative ideas to the school and that you are prepared to
work hard and go the extra mile. Very few people actually bring a portfolio to
interviews, which makes it all the more impressive when a well-constructed one
appears on the table. Oh, and bring extra resumes, too. Everyone at the table
should have one in front of them during the interview.
Just a side note: don't forget to follow up after the interview with a personal email or handwritten card. Even if you don't get the job, you'll leave a lasting and positive impression.
Before you arrive at an interview, spend time thoroughly researching
the school and its programs. When answering questions, weave details about the
school into your responses to demonstrate that you understand the needs,
challenges or values that are relevant to that particular school. Not only will
this (once again) demonstrate your level of preparedness, but it will also
ensure that you understand the school culture. If you’re researching the school
and find that it may not be the best fit for you, consider looking
elsewhere for a teaching position. After all, the interview is as much about
YOU finding the perfect fit for your career as it is for the interviewers to
find the perfect fit for their students and colleagues.
Talk to teacher friends and scour the internet for
interview-type questions. Read, review, and practice answering as many as you
need to until you feel comfortable fielding a variety of questions – from the
mundane to the subject or grade-level specific. You definitely don’t want your
answers to seem canned or overly rehearsed, but feeling confident in your
ability to answer a multitude of queries will shine through during your
interview.
Try a few of these:
1.When did you decide that you wanted to be a
teacher?
2.Take us through a typical lesson.
3.If I walked into your classroom, what would I
see?
4.Describe your plan to communicate with parents.
5.How would you differentiate instruction?
6.What role would assessments play in your
classroom? Examples?
7.What is your behavior management strategy?
8.Why would you be a good fit at our school?
Finally, and most importantly, be yourself. Finding that
perfect fit can be a long process, but it’s vital to find a situation where
your personality and teaching style is welcomed and embraced by the school you’ll
call home.Be honest on your resume and
when answering questions.The truth
always comes out, and it’s better to
discover that you’re not a perfect fit for a school before you’re hired than
after you’ve started teaching.Losing a
job due to dishonesty is not a great way to start your career.Above all, remain confident that you are a
great teacher and that it’s only a matter of time before you find the place and
people that will help you grow into an amazing educator who will one day turn
and offer a helping hand and a warm smile to others in search of their own teaching
dream job.
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