1. TOTSI Application and Interview Tips By Peter A. Bohan ELTT Zugdidi All images/materials to be used for educational purposes only

2. What are they looking for? Who are you? Why are you qualified and unique? Why should they choose you as a candidate?

3. Leadership Qualities Experienced, motivated, confident, professional Active – projects in school and community Proven or Potential trainer of other teachers Plan of Action – how will you help others? How specific is your plan of action? These points should be clearly set forth

4. Skills/Knowledge for Success Key Concept  specific examples needed Creativity – new idea/project started at school? Flexibility/Adaptability – challenge you overcame? Teamwork/Collaboration – admin/ teachers Technology Skills – examples in lesson plans Awareness of Student Needs – maintain student interest and motivation how? Professional Development examples Connections – region, cross-regional, gov’t, NGO

5. Teaching Approach “Buzzwords” Learner-Centered, communicative, interactive Awareness of student needs, interests, student choice in the learning process Consideration for learning styles, mixed levels Lesson planning – consideration for curriculum objectives Sequencing and scaffolding tasks towards objective Application of pedagogical principles in lesson plans – approach to reading/writing and assessment. Flexibility and adaptability and classroom management

6. Paragraph Organization and Examples in support In my approach to teaching, I believe the learning environment should be…For example… When I create my lesson plans, some of the important points that I consider are...As an example of this.. In choosing tasks that I utilize in lesson plans, I consider it important to have…For example, Effective classroom management in my view depends on several factors. First,..second,..

7. Training/Mentoring Experience School – training workshops, assisting teachers with ideas/lesson plans, organizing events, working with administration Community – training (ETAG, AmCor, NGOs), village/regional workshops, any event where you had some participation Volunteer – charity/events where you participated (give specific examples for each of above)

8. Specifics to Include 1. Expected audience (teachers at your school, your district /region, and selected topic: 2. Why did you choose this topic? Why do you think it is relevant for your audience? 3. What are your objectives? “By the end of the session the teachers will be able to …” 4. How do you plan to achieve your objectives? Please outline the main stages and timing. Write a few sentences describing what you propose to do and why? 5. What resources do you plan to use/give out? 6. How will you measure the success of your session? 7. Expected challenges/difficulties – briefly describe these and explain how you will deal with them.

9. Professional Goals Key concept  what/why skills needed? Connect it to your learners’ needs/interests Connect it to your school’s needs Connect it to sharing with other teachers Connect it to benefitting the community Proof/Evidence that you will share Specific examples  problem-solution

10. Sharing Knowledge Whom will you share with? (mentees/colleagues – how many?) How will you share the knowledge? (seminars or informally?) Where will you share the knowledge? (school, Am.Corner/ETAG/NGO, regionally?)

11. Organization, Detail, Tone Focused Paragraphs  each paragraph should be focused and developed by specific examples Logical Flow  Connector words are used to transition at paragraph and sentence level Tone  Sincerity, Motivation, and Humility are more important than fancy language

12. Things to avoid Lack of specific detail and examples Overly sophisticated vocabulary Saying what they “want to hear” cliché expressions/boastful tone TASKS Brainstorm –teaching approach, action plan Evaluate examples

13. Action plan/Lesson Plan Action plan/Training plan is different from your lesson plan Lesson plan could include: One that was successful, fun One that included learner centered tasks, clear objectives, variety of tasks, pedagogical principles we have covered in workshops Use of technology/powerpoint/images used

14. Interview Stage Purpose of interview? Level of English skills appropriate Self-confident (handles pressure) Cultural ambassador

15. Preparation Prepare early Brainstorm/Discuss Write out responses Speak out loud Mock interview

16. Presenting Yourself Professional (but friendly) Confident (but not arrogant) Formal (but not stiff) Interested (not bored)

17. Interview Themes Motivated  What is the proof? Focused  Examples from your life? Flexible  An example that you adapt well? Mature  Why can you handle this? Application  How will you apply skills? Personable  Cultural ambassador? Team player  Any evidence for that? TASK  Practice brief interview with partner