I've been on two job interviews this week, unfortunately both unsuccessful, but it had me thinking about interview lessons.
I'd like to think I am confident in my ability to teach my classes and am confident in my own subject knowledge. However when in an interview lesson, the habits and culture you have grown over time with your classes are gone. Any reputation you have gained in your school is instantly gone. You don't have the prior knowledge of each student. You may not even have the same technology you would normally use. You are back to being a novice. I am unsure how beneficial these interviews lessons are and that actually would we be better off seeing a number of lessons over time? It would allow the school to identify trends in your teaching, the habits and routines you have in place and the relationships you build up.
Obviously I understand that in reality this is very difficult to actually do. I do think though that the interviewing school must take this into consideration especially if you have candidates both from outside the school and internal. The internal candidate will obviously be at an initial advantage.
Ali Abdaal speaking with his life coach. They discuss common questions coaches use: What do you want to achieve? What do you need to avoid? What will be your first action? And then asking why each time to delve deeper. It gives a useful framework to start coaching yourself. Have a listen here.
🔊 Listen:
PiXL purposeful disagreement from the wright brothers. It is important to have members of your team that challenge your thinking rather than just follow and age with everything you say. It ensures ideas are fully classified and justified before being introduced. Listen to the story here.
🔊 Listen:
Adam Boxer on Mr Barton Maths podcast. This is a great listen, full of insight, not just if you are a Maths or Science teacher. Listen to it here.
📚 Read:
James Clear providing a reminder that even creativity takes practice and embracing your failures to continually improve is the best way to make progress. Read it here.