Interview answers

Special Education Teacher Position

Grayslake North High School – Presentation Structure
First, we’re incredibly excited to have you in our interview process. During a typical interview, we’d invite you to spend some extended time at North to see our students, visit classrooms, and get a sense of the culture at Grayslake North. We believe that the fit has to be both ways, and we want you to be as excited about working with us, as we are with the potential of having you join our North Knights family. We are attaching some highlight videos that will give you a small glimpse into the North community. You can also check us out on twitter @GrayslakeNorth and #D127getsREAL.

Above all, we’re looking to hire staff that has a passion for kids, wants to make a difference, and who are willing to take risks to create a world-class learning experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnhWMt94Ics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MyzMzw74Bw
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nq1hHkGso3sk1HTMLmHB3Mm5EnIv7JoL/view?usp=sharing

If you have any questions as you prepare for the interview, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We want this process to be transparent and meaningful for everyone. Contact Rob Nicoletti with any questions at rnicoletti@d127.org.

Design: Prepare a roughly 20 minute presentation highlighting your experiences, qualifications, and why Grayslake North. Be creative and focus on your attributes and experiences that have prepared you for this role and how you will create engaging experiences that challenge the status quo. As you think about your interview, use these guiding principles to help frame your presentation.

1) What’s your WHY? Tell us about “WHY” you’re an educator. Focus on the pivotal points in your life and previous teaching experiences that have shaped your beliefs. Why are you a Special Education teacher? What excites you about working at Grayslake North?

2) What’s your WILL? What can we count on you for as a SPED teacher at North? How “WILL” you work to expand our department and continue to improve it? How will you ensure its success? How will you ensure that students are engaged, bought-in, and growing? How will you know that you are effective in this role?

3) Risk Taking – What risks have you taken as a person and a teacher to challenge the status quo? What does a progressive, world-class student services team and Special Education department look like?

4) Whatever It Takes (WIT) – At North, we have a saying, “Whatever It Takes,” which symbolizes our belief in always going the extra mile for students and colleagues. These WIT moments define our culture and create an environment centered around collaboration and continuous learning. How might you use your role as a Special Education teacher to impact the culture and health of the building as a whole? How might you engage your students, colleagues, and the community outside of the classroom?

5) Growth Mindset What areas are your biggest growth areas? And, what will you need to be successful in this role?

There will be time at the end (and throughout) to have discussion and answer questions. Again, if you have questions as you’re preparing, let us know. What is most important is hearing your stories, experiences, and vision! It is a chance for us to get a little more insight into who you are.