Sample questions from the Chicago TeacherFit screening

How long do you persist on problems when you feel lost or confused? Very long period of time Long period of time About average period of time Short period of time Very short period of time

In the past year, how often have you taken charge of a group that you were in without being asked? Never Once or twice Between three and five times Between six and ten times More than ten times

In the past 10 years, how often have you voluntarily helped your peers to learn or perform a difficult task? Never Seldom Sometimes Often Very often

How often have you accomplished something you thought was very difficult or almost impossible? Very often Often Sometimes Rarely

Never

How do you feel about a job that would require you to regularly work after hours? Very inconvenient, would refuse such a job Inconvenient Somewhat inconvenient Not inconvenient Would prefer such a job

In the last period of time, how much has anxiety interfered with your interaction with your team mates? None Mild; some interactions have been strained, but no serious problems Moderate, we have complained or accused each other of minor insults or work slipups Severe, I am concerned that anxiety has made it difficult to work effectively as a team Extreme, I am concerned that my anxiety makes it impossible to work with others on this team

In the last three years, in how many clubs or groups (e.g., social organizations, sports teams, academic clubs, or civic groups) did you actively participate and make a positive difference? None 1-2 3-5 6-10 More than 10

You are working on something that must be completed by the end of the day in addition to teaching your last class. Late in the afternoon another teacher asks you for some information related to her own work. She has a reputation for frequently and unnecessarily asking for help. Indicate how likely it is that you would take one of the following actions. Suggest she call the principals office for help.

Take some time out at the end of the day to help her. Ask the principal to provide the help she needs. Explain that you dont have time to help her. Tell her you dont have time right now, but you will contact her tomorrow. (Answers for each statement: Extremely likely, Very likely, Likely, Neither, Unlikely, Very unlikely, Extremely unlikely)

You have a reputation as an effective teacher. As a result, the principal has recently assigned several students to your class who have had difficulties with behavior in other classrooms. You now feel that the addition of these students has created a much larger workload and that the children are also disruptive. Indicate how likely it is that you would take one of the following actions. Incorporate the students as best you can into your classroom this year, but refuse to take any transfers in the future. Request additional help from the principal in managing these students behavior. Request that some of the children be moved to a different classroom. Do your best to manage the students behavior on your own and say nothing to anyone else. (Answers for each statement: Extremely likely, Very likely, Likely, Neither, Unlikely, Very unlikely, Extremely unlikely)

Please click on the appropriate button to the right of each of the following statements to show how much you agree or disagree with the statement. It is important that you admit your mistakes to students when those mistakes affect them. You cant really motivate people; theyre interested or theyre not. I rarely act without planning. I am always prepared. Im told that I have a way of making things interesting. Teachers must monitor what types of activities facilitate the learning of different students. I am often placed in organizing roles. In teaching, being spontaneous is more important than planning. An important part of a teachers job is helping students seek out new ideas. Some students are simply not able to meet all learning objectives.

I often jump into things without thinking. Use of different teaching styles with some students may mean you have to lower your standards for their performance. Once you take a position with students, you should stick with it even if youre wrong. I have a knack for understanding people who think differently than I do. Theres probably some truth in the saying that teaching would be fun if it werent for the students. It may be good or bad, but Im just not very diplomatic. The first thing to do when a student fails to do his or her homework is to call the parents. (Answers for each statement: Strongly disagree, Disagree, Neither, Agree, Strongly disagree)