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Re: bad questions
Posted by lynne/ca on 10/18/08

On 10/18/08, If you believe this board.. wrote:
> I don't think you'll get many useful answers here. Most people will
> tell you questions like the following are "bad"
>
> Do I get..
>
> textbooks

Better question that accomplishes the same result: What instructional
materials will I be expected to use? or Do teachers use an
adopted textbook? What text(s) do teachers use?

> photocopies (how many?)

This isn't a bad question per se, but it's an unusual question for an
interview, which makes me wonder what the teacher is planning on
copying. A better question might be, "What supplemental materials are
available?" and/or "Can I bring in my own material to use?" and then
follow up with, "Will students be able to have their own copies of the
material?" This makes your intentions clearer, and also makes the
question more student-centered.

> any planning time

Recommended question: What would a typical day look like for a
teacher at your school?

> help with extreme behavior issues

Or a better way to ask: What are the procedures for working with
students who have severe behavior issues?
For new teachers, this could also be a good time to ask whether there is
a mentoring program or other support for new teachers available.

> support if other teachers refuse to comply with IEPS

How are IEP goals communicated to teachers? and, What are the
procedures for ensuring that IEP's are being properly followed?

> a salary (how much?)

I wouldn't ask this at an interview; it's usually included in the job
posting. If not, ask HR at the time you apply. It's an appropriate
question, but appropriate for before, not during, the
interview.

>
> How do I..
>
> request equipment and/or special materials I need
>
> deal with an out of control student (get help)
>
> get help if I have an irate parent to deal with
>

The types of procedural questions listed under "how do I" above
usually aren't the kinds of things that you'd ask in an interview, but
they would be great questions to ask a mentor, supervisor, or another
teacher after you've gotten a job. The reason the "out of control
student" and "irate parent" questions might raise red flags in an
interview is that although we know that all teachers deal with these
situations at some point, most teachers DON'T have to deal with them on
a regular basis - and so they usually aren't the first thing most
teachers would ask. (I realize this might vary in different school
environments, though.) Having worked in schools where this isn't usually
a big issue, I'd wonder why this was one of your biggest concerns: do
you tend to have more out-of-control students than other teachers? Do
you tend to have more irate parents than other teachers? And if so, why?
In the context of special ed, you might ask about behavior intervention
plans rather than "out of control students;" ask about maintaining good
relationships with parents rather than "irate parents," etc. Chances are
the answers to those questions will get you the answers you want,
WITHOUT making it seem as though you tend to have a lot of out-of-
control students and irate parents.

> Teachers who ask any of these "What's in it for me?" type questions
> are immediately labeled whiny spoiled brats and eliminated from
> consideration--in almost all districts, period.
> Do I believe any of these questions are inapprioprate? NO. But 80% of
> the people who post here insist that only lazy whiners who expect to
> teach in a Stepford school ask any questions like these and will
> immediately be axed from consideration for a job.

I've taken the time to give some alternatives because I know you (the
anon poster who wrong "If you believe this board"), or at least someone
with very similar comments, have posted here many times and I'd
like to give you some suggestions. It doesn't make any difference that
you feel your questions are appropriate; you've discovered that the way
you're asking them doesn't go over well with many administrators in
interviews. You have reasons to be concerned about the things you're
asking, I'm sure, and they are not bad things to want to know at all,
but I think you can find better ways to ask them. And yes, it's true
that "what's in it for me" doesn't go over well in interviews. That's
just how it is. But you can change most of your questions to "what's in
it for the kids", get answers that address your concerns, and make a
good impression.

>
> I say ask whatever you want/need to know--as long as you use common
> sense you should be fine. Avoid questions like "Can we date students"
> in all cases :) and know the situation; if the school seems to have a
> strict dress code--you see all teachers dressed very professionally--
> then don't ask if you can wear jeans.

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Posts on this thread, including this one


• bad questions, 10/03/08, by thomas.
• Re: bad questions, 10/03/08, by lynne/ca.
• Re: bad questions, 10/03/08, by ~Bradley.
• Re: bad questions, 10/03/08, by lynne/ca.
• Re: bad questions, 10/03/08, by thomas.
• Re: bad questions, 10/03/08, by Betty Ann.
• Re: bad questions, 10/03/08, by lynne/ca.
• Re: bad questions, 10/05/08, by C'est moi .
• Re: bad questions, 10/06/08, by Rebecca.
• Re: Bad questions. Smart Answers., 10/07/08, by ~Bradley.
• Re: bad questions, 10/18/08, by If you believe this board...
• Re: bad questions, 10/18/08, by lynne/ca.
• Re: bad questions, 10/20/08, by HUH? .
• Re: bad questions, 10/20/08, by mj.
• Re: bad interview questions, 10/20/08, by lynne/ca.
• Re: bad questions, 10/21/08, by Rebecca.
• Re: bad questions, 10/22/08, by me.