Student CEC Spotlight :: Questions on Job Interviews
CEC Today, Vol. 5 No. 7, April/May 1999
Author: by Alison Ramp
Before I had my first interview for a teaching job in a resource room, I prepared myself for all the questions I thought I might possibly be asked. I even composed an answer for the "trick" question I had heard so much about, "What would say is your biggest weakness?"
What I was not prepared for was the part where they asked me if I had any questions. Instead, I just shook my head and said, "Nope, can't think of a thing." I got the job but learned later that not only were there questions I should have asked during my interview, but that the interviewers fully expect and welcome questions as a way to tell what kind of candidate they are meeting.
Using my own experience, the opinion of experienced teachers, and the input from special education directors, I have composed a top six list of questions you should ask during interviews. They are:
1. What is your philosophy on special education?
This is the most important question to ask before you sign a contract. While inclusion and collaboration with the general classroom is the movement around the country, not all schools support this philosophy.
Julyn Hollingsworth, a first year teachers in Jackson, Miss., took a job in a resource room assuming she would provide remedial services for students by pulling them out of their general education classrooms. She ended up serving students in a self-contained environment that was called the "resource room."
It is important to be clear on what the school sees as the purpose of special education and to make sure your philosophy will fit in with its beliefs.
2. What is the general attitude toward students with special needs in your school?
Unless you are out to change a system, it is important to find a school system that supports, fosters, and encourages children with special needs. It also makes the principal aware that you expect these students to succeed. Nancy Sargent-Abbate, a director of special education in Tucson, Ariz., said she is always impressed by applicants who express the desire to work with diverse students. By asking how the rest of the school views these students, it shows you are committed to your students and expect the rest of the school system to be supportive.
3. Will I be working alone or as a part of a team?
Special education teachers have to be secretaries and teachers with all the paper work involved with our students. If you are going to be alone in providing all these services, it would be nice to know ahead of time. Working individually or in a team determines your case load and responsibilities for paper work.
4. How big is my case load?
Many special education teachers say they cannot adequately serve all the students for which they are responsible. Even though case loads vary, asking about them will allow you to choose a school system that gives its teachers manageable case loads.
5. What types of children attend your school?
Knowing about the general school population will give you a better picture of your future work environment. What is the surrounding area like? How involved are parents? What kind of social economic status do the students come from? All of these questions tell you about the school and what kind of children and families you will serve.
6. What is the biggest challenge at this school?
Knowing what struggles a school deals with can tell you a lot about the place you will work. If the answer falls along the lines of "motivating teachers," you might want to look somewhere else.
Asking questions during your interview not only helps protect you from a nightmare situation, it shows that you are confident and sure about what you want to accomplish as a special education teacher.
Remember, special education teachers are in demand. You have a choice in where you decide to pursue your career. Interview the school while they are interviewing you.
Alison Ramp is a resource teacher at Canyon View Elementary School in Tucson, Ariz.
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