Interviewing is HARD!!! You can be an amazing teacher, but not have that come across in the interview thanks to your nerves! (Did you know that Most teachers HATE public speaking!?) At the same time, you can be an enthusiastic extrovert, and still not show off your skills properly! We get nervous and anxious, we stutter over our words and leave out important information. And to make it worse, we only have this one shot… 15 minutes to convince them we are the best fit for the job!!! **AHHHHHH!!!***

But don’t freakout! There’s hope! Just like you would prepare a lesson, you can and should prepare for the interview(s) to come. The more prepared you are, the more successful your interview will be. 

Below we will share our real world experience with Art teacher interviews, both as the teacher interviewing for the job and as a teacher on the panel interviewing potential art teachers.

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My Experience with Interviews:

I interviewed for my current position/ High School twice. The first time, I was a greeny, fresh out of college and desperate for a job. I was a nervous wreck and unprepared. I knew I was a good teacher, but apparently I was a bad interviewer. Thankfully, I ended up getting a position that same year at a private school, teaching K-8th grade, and I stayed there for 7 years (loving every second and growing in my confidence as an art educator).

7 years later, the same position, at the same high school I originally interviewed for, came up again!!! I went into this interview a completely different person, and I was very prepared this time. It lead to a 2nd interview (a teaching interview) and eventually, I was offered the position. I have been there ever since, and plan to retire at this high school. As a veteran teacher, I now also help interview art teachers for new positions at my school.

Based on my experience, here is my advice for a successful Art teacher interview:

The Interview Formula:(The 1st interview)

1. Strong Presence:

• Come in with confidence! → If you’re green or extremely nervous, fake it to make it! You are a professional. You know you can do this job. Make them believe it!
• Smile! → Seriously, it might seem silly, but so many people are just so nervous, they forget to smile, and it’s noted!
• Have a positive Demeanor → Sit up straight, be polite and thankful/ humble for the opportunity. Listen, smile, make eye contact and be honest and real in your answers. It’s okay to say you are nervous, it’s ok to say you are really excited about this job.

2. Dress to impress:

• Wear professional attire! → Seriously. You’d be surprised how many people come in with very casual attire. This is not only noted, but compared to other interviewees who actually take the time to don their best attire. Wear a suit, a tie, a sports coat, heels, tights, pencil skirt, silk blouse, button up shirt ,etc… wear something you feel good in, and make sure it’s professional! You have this one chance to impress, and the way you look is the first thing they see.

1. Strong Presence: 

• Be confident & have a commanding teacher presence. You are the teacher in charge and these are your students (pretend they are your students, and pretend the interviewers in the background are not there).
• Use your loud, clear, teacher voice. This is not the time to be timid, but please note that it’s also not the time to be overpowering or overbearing. You want the students to like you! The interviewers will ask the kids their opinion of you! Find the balance of being a friendly & authoritative presence.
• Connect with the students! The best way to do this, in the short amount of time you have, is by giving positive feedback as you walk around. Students always remember how you made them feel. 

2. Dress professionally:

• Even though we don’t wear heels or suits in an art room (That would be crazy!) you should dress that way here. You are still trying to impress the school officials and putting time and care into your attire shows that you care (and are serious) about the job.

3. Create & Present a well-rounded Lesson:

• You will most likely be given a topic (like Linear Perspective for example) and be asked to come up with a 20 minute lesson on this topic. Try to include as many teaching strategies as possible within this time frame.
• Here’s my model suggestion: “I do, we do, you do” 

(Let’s assume my given theme is 1pt perspective. )

• I Do: Do a quick slideshow on History, vocabulary, technique, medium, etc. I personally would present a 5 min. history or purpose of Linear Perspective with visual samples. (also shows use of technology, and skill creating slideshow) – 5  min.
• We do: Demo how to draw in 1 point perspective. Use a data cam, or draw on the whiteboard as students follow along. (Shows your knowledge , ability and teaching method) –10-15 minutes
• They do: You should have a little time left. Pass out a worksheet that students can work on on their own. You will walk around the room and help students, connecting with them as they work. (gives students hands on experience and allows you to work 1:1 with students who need help). – last 5 minutes of the lesson or until it’s over

4. Be prepared:

• Consider all things! Think about every aspect of your lesson. Ask questions in advance: 

• What materials do you have access to? Will the students have a Ruler, pencils, paper?
• Technology: Do you need a computer or will they provide one? If you need one, Will it connect to the projector? If you don’t need one, will your lesson resources be accessed through google drive or a flash drive? Does their computer even have USB? Do they have a data camera? 
• If there isn’t a data cam, is there a whiteboard? Do you need to bring your own expo marker?
• Does the school want you to mention you are interviewing to the students? Would they like you to share about yourself with the students first, before the lesson takes place?
• Bring materials, organized and ready to go:
  • If you need to bring materials that the classroom won’t have, be prepared! Bring your own class set of rulers, pencils, paper, expo marker, etc.
  • Print and bring worksheets if needed
  • Bring a computer or flash drive if needed.

Notable advice (Extra things to consider):

1. Do everything in your power to physically be there for an interview. Avoid Zoom at all costs!!! (especially if the school knows you are in the same state, or a city nearby!)
2. Don’t bring a backpack, especially a school backpack! It doesn’t give the most professional look. Instead, bring a black portfolio or carrying case, etc. 
3. Bring samples to leave behind: for example, you can print a resume-like flyer or brochure that the interviewers can keep. Try to include a QR code on the brochure that connects the interviewers back to your website (your educator or personal art site).
4. Have good energy! Be enthusiastic and show that you are excited to be there. Smile, make eye contact, shake hands. (I stated it again because it’s so important!)
5. Clean up your social media accounts: They will check. Social media is an easy way to look someone up and see what they’re like. 
6. Give thank you notes: Sometimes the job comes down between you and another person… a handmade/ written thank you note could be the tipping point! You can do this in advance of the interview and leave in the mailboxes of the interviewers.

Sample Questions:

These are the actual questions we ask potential Art Teachers during an interview. Practice what you would say when answering these questions so you are confident and prepared when the time comes for the real interview!

1. Please share your experiences and skills regarding art instruction and why you believe you are the best candidate for this position.
2. What would you say are the three “must-haves” in terms of art techniques? How do you connect art instruction to the wider curriculum students are exposed to?
3. Describe the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes of your class. Additionally, what does your classroom look like?
4. A group of students are consistently late to your class, receive low scores and either cause disruptions or are apathetic to learning. What are you next steps?
5. How do you differentiate for students within your classroom?
6. How do you plan to create and support student opportunities beyond your classroom? Describe any experience you have connecting academic work with helping student find industry internships or jobs, and any experience with industry area state or national organizations.
7. What has been the greatest challenge as a teacher, and how have you addressed this challenge? What has been the most rewarding aspect?
8. Which extracurricular activities or events have you participated in? In what ways will you support your students outside of the classroom?
9. What do you know about our school? Why do you want to teach here?
10. Do you have a final comment or question for us?

Thank you for reading! Please feel free to leave comments about other tips and advice you may have for art teachers and/or let us know if any of these tips worked for you! We wish you the best of luck in your future interviews and career! This is truly the BEST job in the world!