Effective Teacher Interviews: How do I hire good teachers? (ASCD Arias), 10/10/2014

There’s a lot at stake when you hire a teacher—including student achievement and the resources involved in finding and retaining teachers. Identify the best applicants every time with this practical advice on the teacher interview process. Teacher hiring expert Jennifer L. Hindman explains how to prepare for and conduct hiring interviews that reliably predict a teacher’s success. Her guidance helps you

1. Use proven, research-based interview practices.
2. Avoid questions that are not legally permissible.
3. Assemble and train an interview team.
4. Match candidates’ skills to your school’s needs.

To ensure your hiring practices are based on legally defensible questions and processes, she’s included specific guidance, sample questions, and process checklists.

About The Author:

Jennifer L. Hindman, PhD, is the Assistant Director of the School University Research Network in the School of Education at the College of William and Mary. She works on behalf of 28 public school systems to secure funding for and collaborate on the design and delivery of sustained professional development experiences primarily in the areas of college and career readiness, literacy, and principal leadership. Through her work with Dr. James Stronge, Dr. Hindman has facilitated the development of numerous employee evaluation processes including ones focused on teachers, educational specialists, and administrators. A former middle teacher and science specialist, she teaches human resource management at William and Mary. Dr. Hindman is the coauthor of five books: People First!; The Supportive Learning Environment; Planning, Instruction, and Assessment; The Teacher Quality Index; and Handbook for Qualities of Effective Teachers—as well as numerous articles and grant-funded works. She appreciates the feedback from Noreen Becci, Margie DeSander, Genny Ostertag, Darcie Russell, and Angie Seiders, each of whom provided insight and perspective on drafts of this publication. Dr. Hindman dedicates this book to the teachers at Indianapolis's Mary E. Castle Elementary School where she attended kindergarten through 5th grade. Her greatest sources of enjoyment are her husband, Barry, and their children, Miriam and Malachi. Dr. Hindman may be reached by e-mail at jlhind@wm.edu.