Some tips for you

So, I don't know if any of you guys are checking fellow classmates blogs, but if you are, HEY LOOK! I got something for you here. Read it, it might help you.

So I had an interview for my position as a student teacher at Onteora High School. The teacher who contacted me was speaking on behalf of herself and another art teacher from the school that was interested. We set up an interview and portfolio review day. As well as a portfolio of artwork, they wanted to see any lesson plans that I actually taught. Well, I had only taught one lesson to a class of 1st graders in Duzine, so I brought that and some others. I brought one of my earliest lessons from Kim's class, my unit plan from Margret's class, an in progress plan from Art for the Exceptional Child, and the worksheet from Theory and Practice. 

First of all, be prepared to talk about EVERYTHING! I got there, they asked me who all my teachers were. All of them. Good thing I have a memory for names, so I listed off a bunch of professors I have had here in New Paltz. Then they told me they were interested because they are both "products of New Paltz!" But, among the volley of questions they fired at me were some of the following. 

Why do you want to teach art? 

What is a controversial topic for you? (Art ed work v. visual art work and 'Those who can't do teach'. We got into a whole conversation about the problems they had in NP trying to get a show in the Dorsky and not being allowed to, even as an art ed MA!)

Where might you take students on a field trip?

What would the purpose of that trip be?

What would they gain from it?

What sort of lesson would you teach from it?

How would you start it?

How would you teach them "art speak"?

Which class would you preferred to be place in? (Studio art, ceramics, painting/drawing, AP art, metals)

Why?

Why do you think we want you to come after your elementary placement and not before?

What is a lesson you might do with that class?

What is something you have trouble with/need to improve upon?

Why should we choose you over your peers?

What makes you different from them? (Sorry guys, they forced me to take out my bragging box!)

AND SO MANY MORE! It was draining! But I just kept a light and flexible attitude and it went well. I really had to slow myself down and think about what I wanted to say, so I wasn't just spewing bullshit. They were pretty serious, but there was a nice balance between seriousness and light-heartedness to the interview! They showed me around the school a bit and on my way out, I got a handshake and a "we look forwards to having you in one of our classrooms next spring!" Wooo, score!

But, damn. I was nervous. I was glad that the night before I drove up just to familiarize myself with the route. I suggest that. But driving in the truck with the windows down and the music up helped soothe my nerves!

So if you actually read this, I hope it can help you be prepared for your interviews. Who knows, maybe these guys were just super thorough!