This month, I interviewed with a competitive Charter School Network for an Assistant Principal position. I was curious about the process and wanted to "test" out my recently earned MA in Special Education and my 13 years in the classroom combined with administration, travel and writing. I had no idea what I was up for.
After submitting my resume, and editing my cover letter to target it towards this exact school, I received an email within three days requesting a phone interview. I was excited that I made it from a pile of hundreds who submit a resume to this charter each week. ( Figures shared by the HR rep who called me). After a thirty minute interview discussing my view on professional development, instruction, leadership, data and school culture, the call ended leaving me mentally exhausted at the line of questioning and rapid fire.
One week later, a second email came with a request to meet in person with the HR Director at the schools main offices. I accepted and put on my best teacher dress, cardigan and "smart heels" for an hour of in person rapid fire on education, my role in it and the outcomes that will change the world. I arrived early at the main office, in an air conditioned, modern and chic office space with a staff moving quickly with Starbucks cups and deliveries from Anthropologie. The perfect J.Crew ensemble, with the Athropologie delivery and grande latte is a world I know well, just not in the schools of NYC. As a NYC native and a product of public schools, this new image of education was preppy, hip, obviously a comfortable middle class, between the ages of 22 to 27 and HAD air conditioning, this is a new NYC school image..to me atleast, and probably to the parents of their students in this area ( who attended school with me in the 80's ). Who knows, I could be wrong.
The interview lasted exactly an hour and was just what I expected. It was far from the name three of your strengths and weaknesses, but more along the lines of why you, what can you offer our students, who are you, where are you going. Prove to us that exposing you to our students will change your life and theirs. It was an engaging discussion, not an "interview". It left me realizing that this charter school network was investing as much time in me as they could, to make sure that I was the best possible educator for the students they serve. It was more than filling a slot, but about finding the perfect fit.
If you are an educator, you know that great feeling when your students "get it". You think about them at home, you worry about them over the weekend, you tell your friends about them, and you wonder what will become of their lives. You nag them like your parents nagged you and you grow to really care about them and see yourself more than their teacher, but as a coach or mentor. I left the interview/discussion with a renewed interest in charters and wondered if my summer "test" was about to become more than a trial run, but something I wanted.
Three more days pass, and I am invited to an in person mock lesson. At this charter network, Assistant Principals must also exhibit a strong classroom management skills and powerful instructional experience. I accept the next tier of interviews and arrive on one of the hottest days of the summer to teach eight scholars about character development from a children's book written by Bill Cosby. The school site has another group of young, poised, stylish teachers and staff in the halls with iced lattes in hand. The scholars, eight 7 year olds, were a challenging bunch, full of summer energy as expected. I gathered that this was not their first time preparing in a mock lesson, and they weren't too happy about being there. To my surprise, my mock lesson was video taped, and three additional staff members observed and took notes during my ten minute lesson. This indeed upped my level of nervousness, and I realized then that in all my years in non profit management and education, I have never gone through a process like this to get a job.
Was this due to the level of charter school expectations? Was this a new process? Are public school interviews this rigorous? Should they be?
My interview/mock lesson, concluded with a lessons learned review of my performance, questions and a tour. I left wondering how did I do? Every skill I had, was tested, observed and questioned in this three tier process over the last two weeks and there is still another round to go!
Over the next few days, as I wait to see if I move on to the next round- meeting Principals at the schools, after they watch the video, read the notes and decide if they want me- I was left wondering, should all schools select their staff and teachers from an in depth interview process? We look for a rigorous selection when applying to colleges, for loans, even in selecting a mate. Is not the selection of who works with our children, just as important requiring us to develop an evaluation process that selects the person who is the "perfect fit"?
RESOURCES
- Black Enterprise – www.Blackenterprise.com BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers.
- SisterSpeak Online Magazine – www.sisterspeakonline.com SisterSpeak is a unique, online lifestyle magazine that celebrates the lives and experiences of Black women, and all women, the world over. Our goal is to inform, inspire and empower women of all ages to live lives of boundless beauty, passion, power and purpose.
- Small Business Administration – www.sba.gov Information resource for small businesses, small business owners and prospective business owners.
- GreenPath – www.greenpath.com Free and confidential counseling. GreenPath is a non-profit organization that offers customized, personal solutions to help you get out of debt.
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