Section Six:

Teacher Candidate Interview

The teacher candidate mock interview is a great way for teacher candidates to reflect on

their work and prepare for a job interview simultaneously. This section was my favorite for many

reasons. First, it allowed me to reflect and showcase some of the hard work I have been

producing this semester. Before my graduate education, I thought that I was pretty well versed in

the tech world, however I had so much to learn. This semester has allowed me to gain so much

confidence and knowledge about teaching utilizing tools that engage students. This mock

interview truly showcases my ability with technology, while allowing me to add a personal touch

to this portfolio. I am very confident in my skills of being able to plan, instruct, assess, make

learner accommodations and incorporate technology into the classroom. I feel as though I am a

culturally responsive teacher and make that evident in the way I plan my lessons and teach the

students by building on the students prior knowledge and unique experiences that they bring

with them into the classroom. Although that I am confident in the knowledge that I have

obtained here at Medaille, I know that being a beginner teacher means that I have to be open to

professional collaboration because experience is so valuable, and I, like my students, am a

lifelong learner. The link provided is my Teacher Candidate Interview Video, which I have

created in order to showcase these important attributes. https://screencast-o-

matic.com/watch/cbjfrqlk9c The second link provided is a URL to my Weebly teacher website,

which is presented in my interview video as well. http://mllekeeleyrobinson.weebly.com

Teacher Candidate Interview Questions and Responses

Here you will find my responses to common and expected interview questions that I have

covered in my Teacher Candidate Interview Video. These responses connect my portfolio

artifacts, and demonstrate my ability to plan, instruct, assess, accommodate learners, integrate

technology, professional collaboration and development and culturally responsive teaching. I

showcase my readiness in becoming an elementary school teacher by staying current in the

trends in education as well as my knowledge of theorist/experts in the field and best teaching

practices.

Briefly share a little about your background experiences that have led you to choose a

career in education

Throughout high school, university, and working full time, I always set aside time to

tutor young students in both English and French. I did this because I enjoyed helping students

and I was beginning to gain confidence in my ability to help students overcome obstacles in their

learning. A big reason why Ive developed a passion for helping students is because I was a

student who needed help. I was not confident enough to ask for help until I was older, and I

really struggled with school. Once I graduated university, I worked at an employment office and

ran a youth program for under privileged youth. I was hired to design the program, and then

facilitate it. This experience opened my eyes to how many youths grew up with, what seemed

like to them, nobody in their corner. A combination of these things leads me here, to pursuing

my dream of becoming a teacher.

What have you learned in your teacher training program that will make you an excellent

classroom teacher and colleague?

I believe that my ability to create fun, engaging lessons that hit curriculum standards, my

culturally responsive teaching pedagogy, my ability to assess students, modify and accommodate

exceptional learners, as well as work and collaborate with other professionals will make me an

excellent classroom teacher and colleague.

Provide us with an example of a lesson you taught. How did you integrate it with other
curriculum areas, address the CCLS, technology, student engagement and motivation?
What were the results of the lesson?

Grade 2 lesson on telling time using the story Would you Rather be a Princess or a

Dragon by Barney Saltzberg. This lesson is fun, interactive, and utilizes technology to

differentiate instruction. The central focus of this lesson was to tell time on both analogue and

digital clocks. This lesson hits both standards in English Language arts (1.4 demonstrate an

understanding of the information and ideas in oral texts by retelling the story or restating the

information, including the main idea) as well as mathematics (Measurement and data (1.MD-3)

Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analogue and digital clocks). This lesson

incorporates technology because it is designed for a smart board. There are interactive activities

that students can play on the smartboard and then a handout afterwards. The majority of this

lesson is largely interactive, with prompts and pictures on the smartboard, so it is designed to be

largely versatile for ELL and IEP students.

How will your knowledge of the current trends in education inform you as an educator in
our district/board/school?
 My extensive knowledge of technology tools is a key aspect of how I am adapting my

pedagogy to keep up with trends in education. I think it is so important to find a platform where

students can relate to their teacher, and technology trends is a large part of that. Another very

important aspect of teaching is knowing that people are lifelong learners. As a future teacher, I

am committed to continuing my education to be the best teacher I can be.

Why should we hire you instead of the other applicants we have interviewed?

You should hire me, rather than the other applicants that you have interviewed because I

am not here, studying to be a teacher out of convenience. Throughout my life, I have been on

both sides of the education spectrum, from a struggling elementary student, to a thriving grad

student, and I know what its like to need a teachers help. I am well versed in finding different

ways to explain things, or make things fun and interesting so that I can be successful at it. I want

to turn my struggles into somebody elses triumphs. I have worked so hard these past couple of

years to make sure that I will be the most I effective teacher I can be. Being a student at

DYouville and Medaille, I have developed culturally responsive teaching pedagogy allows me

to include all learners, create a safe and respectful learning environment, and has taught me to

learn and teach along with my colleagues. I believe that these things, paired with my passion for

inspiring students, will make me the best candidate for this position.

Conclusion

As you can see from my collection of artifacts and the alignment to the professional and

curriculum standards, I have embodied the work ethic and values of a great teacher. It takes a

caring person to be an effective teacher because they need to be able to plan, instruct, and assess

students in a supportive and challenging manner. Teachers need to know the content and
curriculum that they are teaching and teach the content in a way that is exciting and engaging for

the students. A teachers role does not start or end with the school bell. It takes dedication and

commitment and a passion for helping students. This portfolio outlines the hard work, the

dedication, and the commitment to learning that I have lived for the past two years. I have

acquired skills such as assessing students, modifying and adjusting, lesson planning, and being

culturally responsive in the classroom. Ive learned what it takes to manage a classroom and

foster respect within classmates, and connect with students on a personal level. Being a great

teacher demands a passion for doing everything it takes for a student to be successful, which I

have. It is with a full heart, that I submit this paper in order to graduate this program, and become

a certified teacher.