Career-move case study: the classroom teacher

Interviewing for a new job during a pandemic might sound like a headache, but in the first of a series of case studies, we meet teachers who have done just that
29th April 2020, 5:02pm

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Career-move case study: the classroom teacher

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/career-move-case-study-classroom-teacher
Teacher Career Move

Career-move case study: the classroom teacher
Teacher: Daisy Hooper, teacher of English

In our latest careers advice series, we speak to teachers who have been job hunting, interviewing and preparing to start their new roles during the coronavirus pandemic.

First in our series is English teacher, Daisy Hooper.

Daisy was a recently-qualified English teacher job hunting in London when lockdown interrupted her search. Not to be put off, she continued to look for jobs.

Looking for teaching jobs

Hooper decided that she wasn’t going to rush her search for a new job just because the pandemic was causing uncertainty elsewhere.

“When I started looking for a new school I made the decision that I wasn’t going to settle for a school that wasn’t right for me,” Hooper says. “I saw it as much my decision to choose the school, just as much as it was the school’s decision to employ me.” 

Preparing for the video interview

Like many other UK teachers, Hooper wasn’t used to video interviews, and wasn’t initially relishing the prospect of having to do the interview over a video call.

“Before the video interview, I found it quite nervewracking as I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially because so much of the standard teacher interview is about the lesson itself,” she explains.

Robbed of the opportunity to show her skills in front of a class, Hooper focused on trying to impress her prospective employer in another way. 

“Without the lesson, I made sure I did as much research on the school as possible and gave myself the best opportunity to show my commitment and dedication so they would know I was a good fit for the school,” she says.

The interview itself

Despite her initial nerves, once the video interview started, Hooper found herself relaxing and actually relishing the opportunity to be self-reflective.

“I found the interview quite enjoyable,” she says. “It enabled me to reflect on my own teaching practice, especially as one of the questions required me to sum up my own teaching style - I was asked how my current students would describe me and my approach to teaching.”

A bright new start

Hooper now has a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel: starting her new job at a new school in September.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to meet lots of different people,” she says.

Advice for job hunters

If any teacher out there is feeling down about the school closures scuppering their chance to keep job hunting, Hooper’s advice is to keep positive.

“Be patient, and keep the faith. The right school is definitely out there for you. I strongly advise you to not lower your expectations because of the current situation,” she says.

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