Moving from Teacher to Assistant Principal Presented by: Dr. Carl A. Carpenter, II Director of Human Resources Cherokee County School District August 18, 2017

Interest Letter/Resume Your interest letter should clearly state why you are interested in the position and clearly outline why you are qualified for the job. It does not need to be longer than one page. Your resume should be free of errors and I would recommend one or two pages. If you have any time gaps, please be prepared to explain why. Getting an interview is usually the easiest part of the process!

Why do you want to be an Assistant Principal? When you know your why, your what has more purpose! Are you ready to “Jump?”

Why do you want to be an Assistant Principal? Why do want to be an Assistant Principal? Only you know the true answer to this question……………………..

“Preparation is the key to separation!” Russell Wilson

Research Try to relate what you have researched about the school and/or district when answering questions. (ex. Principal’s tenure, district/school website, past school report card data, community/local newspaper, colleagues that work in the school/district, school demographics, school awards) Identify what you want to stress during your interview to highlight your strengths and be ready to discuss what you are doing to improve your limitations.

Practice makes perfect! Practice answering interview questions with your spouse or colleague that most school districts will ask. Think of actual examples you can use to describe your skills. Providing evidence of your leadership success is a great way to promote your candidacy. (ex. new initiative you started, School/teacher/intern leadership roles)

Get Ready Make sure your clothing attire is professional, clean and conservative for the interview. The school should already have copies of your resume for the interview team, but you can bring one just in case. Please remember to bring a pen/notebook or a device to take notes as needed.

Capitalize on Your Introduction Always make eye contact, shake all hands firmly, and acknowledge each person. Display a warm and inviting demeanor. Remember, the first five minutes of the interview process are very important.

Be On Time Be on time for the interview. Always arrive at least ten minutes early. If necessary, use MapQuest or a Map app to estimate your drive time to the interview location ahead of time, so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. If you are late, you will not get the job! Never forget you are on display from the moment you arrive until you leave. Be polite, smile and speak to everyone you come in contact with at the interview location.

Stay Calm During the job interview, you will be nervous, just try to relax and stay as calm as possible. Sit down and take a moment to regroup. Maintain eye contact with the interview team. Pay attention and listen to the entire question before you answer, it is acceptable to ask the interviewer to repeat the question on occasion (not every question)! If possible, use the interviewer’s name during the job interview (name cards) when responding to questions.

Topics that will be discussed during the Interview………………….. Background/previous experience Why you applied for the job Why you are the right person for the job Leadership style/Vision Raising student achievement Strengths Areas of Improvement Project or initiative you started as a teacher leader/Internship How you handle mistakes Knowledge of the teacher evaluation process Profile of the SC Graduate School morale Discipline procedures Safety Technology skills Knowledge of school budgets Special Education topics Parent Communication skills Conflict resolution skills Different workplace scenarios

Sample Interview Questions Please tell us why you applied to be the Asst. Principal at CCES and what you believe are the characteristics of an effective leader. Describe some effective instructional practices that you would like to observe as you conduct classroom observations. What type of relationship would you strive to establish with your Principal/Staff? Please outline the procedures you would implement to ensure that CHS has an environment where the faculty and staff feel safe? How would you handle a student that misbehaves on a constant basis and disrupts the learning environment for other students in the class? You have been informed by some staff members that morale is very low at the school and that they don’t feel comfortable talking to the Principal about it. How would you address this issue? What are your strengths and areas that need improvement as an educational leader?

Sample Scenario Questions An irate parent is demanding that you move her child from one class to another because she believes the teacher is incompetent, how would you handle this request? (The principal is at a conference.) A 12th grade female student has complained to you that her male teacher touched her inappropriately. What action, if any, would you take?

Closing the Interview At the end of the interview when you are given a chance to ask questions, have a least 3 questions ready for the team. In addition, prepare a closing statement that clearly states why you should be recommended for the position. See examples below: In your opinion, what characteristics does a new Asst. Principal need to possess to be successful at this school? Based on my review of CCMS, can you tell me how you raised the test scores of your Hispanic students in math? (Stay positive) What is the timeline for making a decision about this position? “I would like to thank the committee for interviewing me today. I believe I am the best candidate for this position and I would love the opportunity to help the students at CCMS continue to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.” (Check school/district mission and vision statement.)

Follow-up Always follow-up with an email within 24 hours to each committee member reiterating your interest in the position.

References The Principal is going to check the references you list as well as the references you do not list! Make sure to include your current supervisor as a reference, if not it is a red flag for the Principal. Inform your references that you are applying for a job so they can be prepared if they get a phone call. Provide updated contact information

Reflect After the interview, write down pertinent information such as unexpected questions or new information that was learned during the process. This will help you during the second interview (optional) or when you go on future interviews if you don’t get the job.

What Not to Do in the Interview According to a survey of employers by Career Builder, the most detrimental blunders candidates make in interviews are often the most common: Dressing inappropriately -- 53 percent Appearing arrogant -- 53 percent Talking negatively about current or previous employers -- 50 percent Appearing uninformed about the position -- 39 percent Not providing specific examples -- 33 percent Not asking good questions -- 32 percent Providing too much personal information -- 20 percent

Your body language is also being evaluated by interviewers Your body language is also being evaluated by interviewers. Here are the top mistakes employers reported: Failure to make eye contact -- 70 percent Failure to smile -- 44 percent Bad posture -- 35 percent Fidgeting too much in your seat -- 35 percent Playing with something on the table -- 29 percent Handshake that is too weak -- 27 percent Playing with your hair or touching your face -- 24 percent Using too many hand gestures -- 10 percent  

4 Types of Interviewers 1. The Poker Face This interviewer won't let you know how the interview is going and can throw your confidence if you're not ready for him/her. They may not give any emotional or physical cues to indicate whether the interview is going well. You can impress the interviewer by showing your knowledge as an instructional leader and how you've taken on different initiatives at work. Also, ask thoughtful questions about the school, students, and community.

2. The Detective Be prepared to clearly discuss any gaps in employment. In addition, it is best to admit to the Detective if you have had any types of personnel issues with previous employers. Listen carefully to each question he/she poses, and be sure to give complete answers that address their concerns. You'll be able to pick up clues of your own in their questions and figure out what the employer values and needs in an employee.

3. The Intimidator Some interviewers get carried away by the power that comes with being an interviewer. This interviewer is going to be tough on you and expect you to prove your qualifications for the job. It's important that you demonstrate your knowledge and why you are the right person for the job. You want to make it clear that you can add value to the school/district. Express an interest to learn more and ask questions about what steps or advice they would have you follow as a new principal.

4 Types of Interviewers 4. The Head Nodder This interviewer will nod their head up and down and make you think that you have answered every question to their satisfaction. Stay focused on the entire interview team and their questions, don’t get distracted by the movements of the Head Nodder.

Why didn’t I get the job? A more experienced candidate was offered the job Another internal candidate was offered the position Another candidate was a better fit for the school/community You did not interview as well as you thought You need more experience, ask for additional duties other than books, discipline, transportation. Delayed does not always mean denied, this may just be a detour to your destiny!

Questions?

I will be an Assistant Principal!!!! You can’t be powerful and pitiful at the same time, so if you get knocked down, you rise up, get up and don’t give up!