Math Teacher 

How did you get your current job?
by looking at subways ads for Good Teachers

What was the application process?
Submitted resume and application, waiting to get a letter of acceptance and interview date, go to interview date and go through a long workshop and then demo and then intervew.

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I met the principal through a job fair and we just clicked. The next step was to go to the school and give a demo lesson to several students. I had a meeting with them afterwards and they asked if I could go back a few days later. I returned to meet some staff members and had a meeting with them. As I was walking to the elevator, the principal came to me and said though it was finalized, I was hired!

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
Unfortunately, my memory isn’t that good.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I was given a mentor my first year who did help me a lot so Yes I do feel i was properly prepared.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes through the NYC Teaching Fellows program. I received 2 months training.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
My background was Computer Science and since that involved a lot of math I definitely felt I was prepared.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
It did but only because I got to learn the type of crowd I would be dealing with daily.

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
To apply for a program like the New York Teaching Fellows because the state pays for a part of your Masters, and you can start working as a teacher asap. However, they have to have at least their bachelors to do that. Once they get in the program they can get their feet wet during the training.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
Patience because children need people with a lot of patience.

Ability to explain things in different formats because not everyone learns the same way.

Social Skills because children need to be able to talk to you and communicate in a proper manner.

Organizational skills because things pile up and you have to know where everything is at.

The “WANT” because its important to WANT to make a change. That will drive your DETERMINATION.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Definitely, at least a bachelors. You have to be exposed to different types of teachers in order to know which one you can be.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Ive given advice to many already. My advice is that the First year is the hardest but as long as they find someone they can talk to about their experience they will be able to get through it. I also tell them that they need to form a relationship with someone who is teaching the same subject so they can learn tips and tricks and even get lesson plans or worksheets to help their first year. I advice them to not take anything home because as a first year teacher, we want to do so much that we put everything else aside and that is not healthy.