mymonkier
New member
Posts: 11
|
 |
« on: November 18, 2009, 12:51:35 PM » |
|
I have not interviewed at a community college before, although I could see myself teaching at one. Has anyone interviewed at Miami Dade College before? I seem to be getting more first round interviews but sealing the deal at the second round has proved problematic.
I have no community college teaching experience and wondered how I should address that in the interview. I have some experience teaching high school students. I am passionate about teaching but also hope to continue some research. Should I express this in the interview? Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
der_gadfly
SSOB-hatin', snarklet-writin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,844
oy vey
|
|
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2009, 05:29:02 PM » |
|
I had a 'screening' interview conducted by an HR drone with them. Apparently my ESP was a bit off as to the exact keywords they wanted to hear.....
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
(and I bow before der_gadfly) Don't forget, that cat hair can come in handy as a good luck charm! |
|
|
mymonkier
New member
Posts: 11
|
|
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2009, 08:25:24 PM » |
|
Thanks for the input. I too do not have ESP so I will just have to hope that my natural self says the right keywords if there are any to say at all. Good luck in your searches.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
der_gadfly
SSOB-hatin', snarklet-writin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,844
oy vey
|
|
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2009, 08:30:46 PM » |
|
this is the problem with HR drones: too limited in experience to know that jargon is also subject to regional dialects......
best of luck back at you!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
(and I bow before der_gadfly) Don't forget, that cat hair can come in handy as a good luck charm! |
|
|
ebrazier
New member
Posts: 1
|
|
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2009, 12:06:57 PM » |
|
Working for a community college for many years and chairing search committees, I would emphasize any relationships built with dual-credit enrollment from high school to a community college. Talk about student success initiatives you have used during your experience. Prepare, know, and study the American community college mission and the particular community college you are applying to. What strengths could you bring to the college? How do you handle problems (usually grades) with adult students? Have you ever taught adult students? How do you teach a wide range of students in the classroom? Sometimes there are developmental ed. Students to honors in one class, a wide variety. There are differences in how to handle problems. Emphasize collaborative working, team, etc. Research student success, access, retention, graduation rates, etc.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
temporaryname
Junior faculty,
Senior member
Posts: 917
|
|
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2009, 01:01:58 PM » |
|
Miami Dade College has arguably been moving away from a traditional community college mission in both substantive and symbolic ways (offering four-year degrees, for example, and dropping the word "community" from its name), and this is controversial within the college and the state. The problem, of course, is that you don't know where the search committee members might stand on this, so I wouldn't try to game the system by trying to figure out what they might want to hear. (Trying to do that nearly always fails anyway, in my observation.) It is, however, the sort of thing that might well come up (or at least related issues would) in an interview, so you should be ready for it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
scienceguy
Distinguished Senior
Member
Posts: 215
|
|
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2009, 02:50:05 PM » |
|
Understand that Miami-Dade is the largest college in the country (by a huge margin). It has something like 8 campuses and a total enrollment of 150,000+.
Are you willing to shuffle between two or more campuses, even if it means a 2-hour commute each way? Are you prepared to teach students whose first language is not English? How do you feel about teaching a lecture course with 500 students?
Be prepared for such questions.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
mymonkier
New member
Posts: 11
|
|
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2009, 11:29:10 AM » |
|
I am aware of the size of the college and I have no problem teaching students whose first language is not English.
Some of the questions mentioned in this thread I will have to consider my answers. I by no means want to try to game the system. I want to give honest but considered answers. I do not think that this department has a four-year degree yet.
Thanks again for the insight.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
