Any Dept Chairs out there?

I have a second interview next week for a math/sci dept chair.

I am math certified, but not science certified. This would be my first official admin. position if I got it.

One of the things they asked me was how I would prepare myself for science even though I am not certified and have no experience.

My response was that I would basically need to read and familiarize myself with the standards, etc.

Am I missing something? Is there something else I should be doing?

This is all new to me, and I know the topic of science will be brought up again at the next interview. I am just not sure how to prepare to be a supervisor in a subject area I have no experience with.

Message edited 8/13/2014 7:22:41 AM.

Re: Any Dept Chairs out there?

Focus on the area of instruction...What does good teaching look like to you? What is the teacher doing, what are the students doing?

The content is important, but it is more around the instruction.

Re: Any Dept Chairs out there?

Thanks.

Any Dept Chairs out there?

I agree with PP. You will try your best to familiarize yourself with the science standards and curriculum, but what you are focused on it quality instruction, and that doesn't change based on the subject being taught. Good teaching is good teaching. I wouldn't get too caught up on not knowing the science. To give you an example, I teach at a public high school here on LI and the chair of the science department is a certified physics teacher -- he is responsible for ALL the science teachers at both the MS and HS, even those in certification areas he isn't licensed in (biology, chemistry, earth science, etc.). Good luck!

Re: Any Dept Chairs out there?

Thanks. I thought of that (after the fact of course especially with the science licenses).

I go for a second interview on Wednesday, so I am sure I will get asked similar questions.

Any Dept Chairs out there?

I was always told a good administrator can recognize good teaching - bc regardless of content, good teaching is good teaching.

I'd add that, and that you will attend pd with sci department to be current on curricula, ccls, etc. But I'd def emphasize your ability to support and assess teaching strategies and behavior management regardless of content.

Re: Any Dept Chairs out there?

I went to the 2nd interview and one of the questions they asked was

"After I left my first interview, was there any question that if I could re-answer I would?"

With that question, I spoke about my ability to help with good teaching.

Re: Any Dept Chairs out there?