Task 7:  Preparing for the role of a beginning teacher.

Links to standards 2, 3.

Organise a hui with the principals/deputy principals/associate principals/pouāwhina. 

Address the points below during your hui:

7.1 - Applying and being interviewed for beginning teacher positions.

• Research before you apply

• Always keep your CV updated including a cover letter highlighting your strengths, and keep it light and brief. Whaea Rosina said to include a photo on the cover letter as they look at those to make the shortlist. Recent practicuum information if you are a BT.

• Jobs are advertised around October/ November

• Be confident and sell yourself and your strengths while in the interview, interests, past and present experiences that are relevant to the interview.

• Depending on the level you applying for, the principal and DP of the senior or junior indicate will be present

• What literacy and numeracy strategies do you use within your teaching and what assessments do you use

• Keep references up to date as some schools ring references before the interview and others afterward.

7.2 - The role of a tutor teacher.

A Mentor teacher's responsibility at Koromatua is to assist the novice teacher with school programs and hold weekly meetings to catch up and review what is working and what may be needed in a specific area. Classroom administration, behaviour management, technology, and planning. 

7.3 - Organisational and managerial demands of a classroom, including the physical layout of the classroom.

Depending on the year level, I was with year 7& 8 students so they were able to sit beside their peers as long as they were being productive while doing mahi. Other classes would sit them in learning groups.

7.4 - The expectations and responsibilities of beginning teachers. 

Beginning Teachers are required to focus on the classroom; they do not like to assign BT tasks since they must focus on what is happening in the classroom and plan. They have a lot to do and a lot of people watching them, such as their parents, Tumuaki, and mentor. They are not expected to take on additional obligations, which may cause them to become distracted and overwhelmed by many tasks.

Write up your findings. What were the main messages? How do the conversations make you feel about the role of a beginning teacher?

When applying for a teaching role make sure you have done your research before applying, and keep cv updated with up-to-date references. Sell yourself in terms of skills you offer, Knowledge around Te reo me ona tikanga, and how you can apply that within your teaching. Literacy and numeracy strategies that you apply to your teaching. Experiences and knowledge you offer.

As you only have around 15-20min for the interview to make sure you sell yourself.

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