Post Interview Thoughts

So I recently went through three interviews for three different teaching positions, and the whole process really got me thinking.  Interviewing can be a very nerve-wracking process.  Essentially you are giving control of your future to these other people who are going to judge you after knowing you for a period of maybe fifteen to thirty minutes, based on answers you give to a range of questions that you may or may not have imagined them asking.  Now, I know I have done some innovative and exciting things in my classes, but it never seems to fail that when I get into these interview situations that I get extremely nervous and have a difficult time sharing these things.  Looking back at the interviews, and having heard back from two that they filled the position with other candidates, I'm sure I often err on the side of not offering specific enough answers for what they are looking for.  My answers many times feel rushed as I want to make sure I answer each part of the question, but sometimes, in hindsight, not giving adequate attention to the more vital parts.  As I walked out of my last interview, I thought to myself, "If only I could teach a lesson for them and really show them what I can do."

A-ha!!  Is this interview process not just like a final assessment we often give our students?  Like my students, I can attempt to prepare for this assessment by doing research (on the school), drawing information from past experiences (interviewing), and using information that I have learned in class (teaching), but in reality going in not actually knowing which questions will be on the "test".  I'm sure the anxiety and nerves that I feel are often felt by some of my middle school students as they walk into my classroom on a test day.  Many of them probably feel like they know the material, but wish that they could  show me what they can do in a setting in which they have more control, and therefore less stress.  This whole interview process has just shown me even more why I need to build in a greater variety of assessments into my classes. As I go forward this summer I really want focus on doing that, and finding ways to incorporate more projects and activities that give that choice and control to students.  After all, I want them to be able to walk away from their "interview" feeling positive, successful, and excited about the doors that will open up because of this.

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