Interview for Admission to Teacher Education Program

Interview for Admission to Teacher Education Program General Information

The interview that is part of the admission process for the Teacher Education Program is non- competitive and is intended to be a growth experience as well as an opportunity to demonstrate strengths. Criteria that are considered are listed below with comments that may be helpful. You may wish to review the unit’s Conceptual Framework and the philosophy of education that you included as a part of your application.

-Interview skills in general

How comfortable are you in responding to questions? Do you make eye contact with other participants? Does your body language suggest interest and open attitude?

-Personal awareness

Do you know your own strengths and weaknesses? Are you comfortable talking about your strengths?

-Professional appearance

Do your attire and general appearance suggest that you are aware of the impact of first impressions?

-Communication skills

Do you use proper grammar? Is your vocabulary appropriate for your position in college? Are you aware of your audience?

-Empathy

How do you approach persons (youth, colleagues) who are different from you--in the way they learn, what they believe, how they act, etc.?

-Educational interests

What opportunities have you had in working with particular age groups? What are some current events that could have an important impact on education? What are your professional goals?

If you have questions or concerns prior to your interview, please contact Dr. Simmons at 704-406-4406.

Interview for Admission to Teacher Education Sample Questions Category I: Appearance

Category II: Interests

-- What past experience do you have working with the age group you hope to deal with professionally?

-- What experiences, personal characteristics, or other things helped in your decision to pursue a career in teaching?

-- Where would you like to be professionally in 5 years?

-- Describe the best teacher you ever had.

-- In your opinion, what is the most important characteristic of a teacher and why?

-- Who or what influenced you to choose teaching?

-- What is the biggest problem educators face today?

-- How do you deal with student apathy?

-- Talk about a school situation you would change.

-- Why do you want to teach?

-- How can a teacher overcome the poor environment from which many students come?

-- Why is it important for a teacher to belong to professional organizations and subscribe to professional publications?

Category III: Communication Skills

Category IV: Attitudes

-- What do you think is a good way to motivate students to learn?

-- What are some ways to establish rapport with fellow faculty members, some of whom may be twice or three times your age, or some may be younger than you Category V: Personal Awareness

-- What is mainstreaming?

-- How do you feel about mainstreaming?

-- What characteristics do you possess which you feel will make you an effective teacher?

-- What do you see as three of your strengths and weaknesses?

-- Why do you want to teach?

-- What are some non-teaching duties a teacher must perform?

-- How do you feel about these responsibilities?

-- When did you decide to teach?

-- Do you have any reservations about teaching and what are they?

-- How do you handle conflict, disagreement, or unfair treatment?

-- What is your plan if you find teaching unbearable?

Category VI: Model & Conceptual Framework

-- Identify the Gardner-Webb University Model for the Teacher Education Program.

-- What is the Conceptual Framework? (Identify and explain each of the strands.)

-- Identify and explain the value of the foundation for the Model and Conceptual Framework.