What should principals expect from teachers

This should go without saying, but it's a fatal move to talk trash about your current or previous teaching job, says Johnson. Other missteps are dressing unprofessionally, or in one memorable experience Johnson had with a candidate, coming to the interview direct from working in the garden with dirt-covered hands. Did she shake hands with said candidate? Alas, in an out-of-practice reporter move, I didn't ask.

It's a "killer mistake," Kelly says. He elaborates on this point: "Candidates should remember that administrators would MUCH rather have staff with humility, reflectiveness, and a desire to grow than staff who artificially pontificate on matters that are over their heads.

It is OK not to know everything. Principals want teachers who model the kind of lifelong learning they seek to inspire in students. Hard to believe that this could still be a blind spot for teachers looking for job. Johnson says she does extensive online research of candidates she might hire.

And this is widespread practice among all employers—a Career Builder survey found that 70 percent of employers scour social media to research job candidates.

And of those that scan social media, 57 percent have found content that caused them not to hire candidates. And yes, if you want to be a kindergarten teacher, it's definitely unprofessional to have boozy social media pics posted everywhere.

At the very least, keep your social media settings private. Skip to main content. Advice for New Principals: 'It's All When you're in the hot seat, you want to be able to say to your interviewers: "Fire away! What special talents do you bring to our school? Could you start a writing program or coach a sport? How do you communicate with parents? Bring evidence of letters you've written home that describe projects you've designed, says Kirschbaum.

How do you reach all learners? Show that you are aware of the range of learning styles and differences, and be specific about how you address that, says Kanas. Recall a teaching experience that went poorly. What would you do differently? What are you reading professionally? Keep up with trends and show that you are a learner, says Kirschbaum. Describe a day in your classroom. How do you know your students are learning? Create a List. List Name Save.

Rename this List. According to Jackson, the former principal, "evaluators often give teachers, especially struggling ones, a laundry list of things to work on and expect them to figure it out on their own. Encourage teacher input. Incorporate their perspective into a formal assessment where possible. The self-reflection gives teachers an opportunity to process the feedback of the principal while providing their own assessment of the observation.

Create opportunities for growth. Conduct a debrief conversation that includes specific strategies the teacher can practice so that she leaves the room with an actionable plan.