Practice questions for interviews. These answers are specifically aimed at teaching writing.
A friend sent me these questions from Proprietary U. This was the second round of paperwork in their hiring process, after the cv and application letter.
a. In fifty words or less, describe your current position.
I am teaching students at a two year college the skills they need to write well and giving them the opportunities to build confidence in their writing. When they leave my class they know that they are prepared to write any paper in college, because they have experienced writing those types of papers. They also know that they can learn to write any kind of paper, again because they have already learned to write so many.
Apparently I may be good in English, but not so swift with math. That was 74 words.
Revised version:
I am teaching students at a two year college the skills they need to write well and giving them the opportunities to build confidence in their writing. When they leave my class they know that they can learn to write almost anything, because they have already written so many different types of texts.
b. Why does a career in education appeal to you?
Education offers me the opportunity to share my expertise and to empower my students by giving them the tools they need to communicate in writing clearly and effectively. Education offers me the chance to introduce, explain, and model good writing in a variety of ways. Also I enjoy learning and encouraging others to learn; it is fun.
c. Describe your proudest moment to date.
A proud moment for me was was winning the Women of Achievement: Education award from Family Time Foundation here in Houston in 2004. Another proud moment was when I received my PhD. Other proud moments, although I am not proud of me but of them, is when my students come to me and say they are not afraid of writing anymore, that they understand English so much better now, or that they were offered a job on the strength of a resume they learned to write from me.
d. Describe your definition of a “good education.”
A good education is one which encourages the students to learn independently and equips them to function well in their lives, both professionally and personally. English, as a part of a good education, ensures that students can communicate clearly and effectively in writing.
e. How will your professional references describe your strengths?
They will say that I am a hard worker, enthusiastic, and willing to do what is needful to guarantee that our students get the best education possible.
Now if I can just memorize them, so that if I am asked them at an interview I will be that articulate! 😉