On this page, you will find the most commonly asked questions during an Educational Technology Specialist interview, as well as my answers to these questions. Below is a button to the resource I used for the interview questions.
I want to be an instructional coach because I have experience as a classroom teacher, so I am aware of how difficult it can be to implement technology in a way that is developmentally appropriate, beneficial to learning, aligned with state standards, and protective of privacy laws while at the same time running a classroom and managing students. I would be a fresh set of eyes for the teachers and work alongside the teacher to collaborate on goals that can be accomplished through the use of technology. My overall purpose would be to guide teachers on the use of technology to assist their students in developing vital 21st century skills that are necessary for operating technology that is currently used in most occupations.
2. What can you tell us about yourself?
I am an early childhood/childhood educator who believes in the importance of meeting all the needs of each student both inside and outside of the classroom. I believe it's important to build a strong, personal connection with each student and to build relationships that encourage open and honest communication where everyone is welcome to share their feelings and opinions. I also believe the same should be done with the teachers I would work with. Developing a relationship where there is open communication and mutual respect for one another would be one of the first things I would do as an instructional coach.
3. How do your background and experiences align with an instructional coaching position?
I believe that my background and experiences align very well with an instructional coaching position. I have my Bachelor's in early childhood/childhood education and am certified in both early childhood and childhood education which would help me relate to the teachers I work with. I understand how difficult it can be to not only implement technology into the classroom, but to implement the right technology that is appropriate and effective but also safe and adherent to online safety and privacy laws. My Master's in Educational Technology is where I learned about the importance of technology in education, and how to choose technology that is developmentally appropriate and beneficial to learning. I have also learned strategies to implement these tools smoothly and effectively. As an instructional coach I would need to guide these educators on ways to implement technology, so my experience as a curriculum expert at a former job has equipped me with those same skills needed to guide peers on the use of technology in the curriculum. And lastly, I have excellent leadership sills thanks to my experience as a lead teacher, and I have collaborated with several other teachers on appropriate use of technology in the classroom.
4. What do you think an average day of an instructional coach looks like?
Predicting an 'average' day is very difficult because every day, like technology, is unpredictable! However, I believe most days will consist of determining goals for each teacher and collaborating to identify the best ways to accomplish that goal; researching the best ways to provide differentiated instruction with technology; providing useful resources to peers and modeling proper use of those resources; providing beneficial feedback to peers; and sometimes just being someone that teachers can rely on to listen to their problems and provide support to fix those problems.
5. How might you build a foundation of trust in relationships with teachers?
One thing I would do is make sure the other educators are aware that I am only there to work with them on goals that they would like to accomplish. I am not there to tell them what to do or how to run their classroom and I am also not there to judge or criticize how they use technology. My purpose is to simply help them reach their technology goals. I think the best way to build trust is to make it clear that everything the educator says is heard and important, and that I will do everything in my power to support and advocate for their needs. Consistency is very important as well; I plan on providing consistent feedback to educators as well as consistent follow-ups or check-ups to discuss how a strategy is working and ways we can improve when necessary.
6. How might you work with a teacher who doesn't want to be coached?
First, I would remind myself that change is a difficult thing to deal with and so many changes can be extremely stressful and cause a lot of reluctance to learn about new strategies or programs. Any negativity should not be taken personally, and it's imperative to provide them with the same support and respect as those who are more comfortable with change. Then, I would ensure that the teacher is aware that I am acting as a fresh set of eyes, and I am there to work WITH them to accomplish goals that THEY want to accomplish- it's not about what I think is best it's about building mutual respect and collaborating on strategies that will benefit both ourselves as well as the students.
7. What coaching skills do you think you're strong in?
Communication- Skilled at communicating with educators about how to improve something or explaining why a strategy may or may not be effective. I also always ensure to treat everyone with kindness and respect. Open-minded- I am very understanding of differing opinions and will always be open to other perspectives and working to understand their thought process. I strongly believe that just because something is done differently than I may do it doesn't mean it's incorrect. Collaboration- I am a firm believer that I can learn just as much, if not more, from peers/students as they can learn from me. Collaboration with peers, students, and even parents can provide for a more effective and meaningful learning experience for all involved.
8. Can you explain your views on working with adult learners?
I understand many adults many have 'fixed viewpoints' so I plan on communicating that I am aware and comfortable of these viewpoints and that I will work to understand them rather than change them, and then build on this mutual understanding together. I also understand that adults have more life experience than kids, and that this experience can be a beneficial resource. I plan on allowing adults to use this experience and build on it to solve current problems or to improve the strategies. This life experience could also be a harmful experience if it was one that was negative for the educator. I would work with this educator to reframe their thinking and view this experience in a positive way.
9. Do you have any questions for us?
What are some of the challenges you've seen people in this role encounter? What are some qualities you look for in an instructional coach? How would you describe your school culture?