Should I give up my job to retrain as a High School Teacher?

lauzellen

My interview was a lot longer and much more in depth than 20 mins - do you know if they will be doing second interviews?

My interview consisted of....

10 min general get to know you group chat with other interviewee's and interviewers.

English test - spelling, grammar and comprehension and ICT aptitude questionnaire.

Taught a short 15 min lesson to approx 10 children, took questions from children after and then also seperately interviewers around the lesson and why i taught it the way i did... even down to the font and colours i had used on the ict part. FYI i'd used comic sans and yellow on bluealong with black on white printouts as these are optimal for children with dyslexia to read... also children in general find comic sans easier to read.

All followed by a 30 min formal interview.

looby-loo_2

Hi, I have good news - Home Economics is coming back! Food Tech is on the way out - not soon enough for me.

looby-loo_2

It sounds as though you had a busy day. How long before you hear?

lauzellen

Oh that was last year - I was offered a place on the course there and then after they had a quick 10 min discussion after my formal interview - i've now finished the course and I am qualified - I did science I'm currently off on maternity until september 2009 as I fell pregnant during the course. I absolutely loved doing the course though it was very hard work and can't wait to get stuck in again with my own lab!

The black and white print out was for anyone who had problems seeing the yellow on blue (children with sight problems may have difficulty with this - my previous post wasn't clear sorry) and it was also printed in larger text just incase The yellow on blue was for if any children had dyslexia.

It was a very full day! That's why I queried if there would be second interviews for the OP at Dundee.

I agree that it is much better to have done some research even if you get it slightly incorrect than to have done none at all and be blagging it as it were.

It seems the OP has done quite a lot of background reading so should be in good stead. Good luck OP as I agree HE does need new young blood - also pleased to hear its going back to the good old HE values rather than Food Tech as that's much more valuable to the children.

HockeyDuo8083

Did some rooting around on net and the general concensus is that after this interview you get a decision and that's it. I think entry processes vary between universities and between Scotland and England.

TES online forum had a few posters from last year saying that they had the same set up as me for Dundee Uni so keeping my fingers crossed this will be the only thing i will be put through.

As for home Ec coming back I think it is becuase of the consumer society we live in. I think a lot of people are relising that they can no longer carry on a 'throwaway convenience lifestyle' that they have become accustomed too.

lauzellen

20 min interview it is then - it will fly by! I had my PhD interview at Dundee many moons ago - now that was a mission of an interview including a panel of 6 interview and 5 individual 1 on 1 interviews but i was still a lot more nervous and worried about my PGCE interview (at Chichester in South England).

I'm sure you will be fine and hopefully offered a place. If they see you are passionate about both your subject and teaching and that you have done your research then you will shine. Try to not stress and have some relaxing time this evening.

HockeyDuo8083

Well it flew by yesterday. I was kept waiting for 25mins but I did not mind as I had look over my notes. I was interview by 2 lovely ladies, one being a HE teacher and other was a language teacher.
Questions I got were..
Why do you want to teach?
What current Education initiatives do I know of?
What do I want in terms of career development?
How would I integrate pupils in a lesson who weren't interested or did not want to be there?
What makes a good teacher?

I can't remember anything else as it's all a bit of a blur!

I felt I rambled on a little bit but managed to cover everything. I have to wait 4 weeks now to hear although I hope I find out sooner! Was very nerve wracking but I just tried to be myself.
Will keep you all posted!

lauzellen

Four weeks is a long wait! Definately let us know. I'm currently completing application forms and writing supporting statements for 4 teaching jobs starting September 2009 - it's very long winded and taking ages to do.

HockeyDuo8083

:T I GOT IN!!!:beer: :j

YAY! I found out yesterday via GTTR site. Got an email from them on Friday saying my status had been updated but couldn't check site all weekend.
So I have accepted an unconditional offer for Secondary School Home Economics at Dundee!

looby-loo_2

Congratulations!
:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j