I interviewed 100 teachers this year. Here is what I learnt.
In the past year, I’ve conducted over 100 interviews for teaching and educational support roles. During this extensive interview process, I’ve encountered remarkable individuals, experienced moments of frustration, and sometimes wished I could conclude an interview after just a few minutes.
Having surpassed the century mark in interviews, I’ve gained a clear understanding of what works in an education interview. Here are my top 5 words of advice for those entering the realm of school job interviews:
Book Review: Passion, Guts, and Leadership
Term 4, 2012, marked a significant turning point in my life. As an 11th-year secondary school teacher, I had the joy of welcoming our daughter into the world with my wife Rachel, who is also an educator. After much consideration, we decided that Rachel would return to work full-time while I would take on the role of the stay-at-home dad.
Now, those who work in secondary schools know that part-time teacher timetables are the hardest things to create, so I was not going to be able to get the 2 straight days I was after. Enter Deborah Patterson.
ChatGPT and the Human Connection: Exploring the Politeness Phenomenon
In an era where artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly sophisticated, conversational sites like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. It’s not uncommon for users to develop a sense of familiarity and treat these AI-powered assistants as if they were human beings. So, why do we feel inclined to use polite language and engage in courteous conversation with ChatGPT? Will this trend of human-like interaction likely continue in the future?
Book Review: Teacher Wellbeing
In her book “Teacher Wellbeing: A Real Conversation for Teachers and Leaders,” Amy Green offers a comprehensive guide to addressing this problem by providing practical strategies and insights for teachers to better manage their physical, mental, and social wellbeing. She argues that focusing on subjective wellbeing alone, such as engaging in activities that provide instant gratification, is not enough to sustain long-term wellbeing. Instead, teachers need to engage in psychological wellbeing solutions that allow them to build resilience and cope with the stressors of their job.
Book Review: Dare to Lead
Brené Brown’s book, Dare to Lead, is a guide for leaders who want to cultivate a culture of courageous, wholehearted leadership. According to Brown, a leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential. In the education context, she stresses the importance of creating a space in our schools and classrooms where students can take off the crushing weight of their armor and truly be seen.
The AI Report Card: Assessing the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Education
It’s crucial to approach the integration of AI in education with a balanced and pragmatic perspective. As we continue to learn more about AI, we must strike a balance between banning and uncritical adoption. Educators need to carefully consider how AI can be used to complement, rather than replace, traditional teaching methods.
Book Review: Classroom Vibe
Classroom Vibe: Practical Strategies for Better Classroom Culture by Tim O’Leary is an helpful resource for educators seeking to create a more productive and positive learning environment. Tim argues that classroom culture, which he calls classroom vibe, is a critical factor in student learning, and provides practical strategies for improving it. The book covers a range of topics, including the importance of teacher quality, the challenges of creating change in education, and the core elements of an effective classroom vibe.
Well that year went fast
The pandemic has taught us the importance of being adaptable and flexible in our approach to teaching and we made many advances during the COVID years. However it has been disappointing that some teachers reverted to traditional approaches and styles of teaching once students returned to in-person learning.
In some ways this year was tougher than the previous two. I like many other educators were not ‘match fit’ and I have never seen staff more tired than I did during this year.
Public Speaking for Teachers
Public speaking, it is commonly said, is one of the most pervasive fears (in some surveys, second only to death). It is estimated that 75% of all people suffer from fear of public speaking. In teacher training, speaking skills are rarely taught in any formal sense, which may increase anxiety. Yet public speaking is one of the most important skills for teachers hence a skill which is commonly tested—from classes to formal presentations in staff meetings.
Teaching is the most versatile profession in the world. Change my mind!
Before I convince you that teachers require the widest range of skills of any profession, I want to clarify some things first.
I am not saying it’s the most difficult, dangerous, back breaking, or demanding job in the world (though at times it can feel like all those things). What I am proposing is a teaching day has so much variety, that the talents you need to succeed go well beyond what you would see in a position description.
