Here are some questions I've answered for interviewing for a teaching job. Thought it was interesting enough to put on my web site too so that friends and family know why I do what I do, and to learn a little more about me.
1. Why did you choose/do you want to become a teacher?
The reason for this goes back to me finding my purpose in life and knowing God has one for me. In America I studied computer science and was a program, both which my mind is quite suitable for. Yet I didn't find fulfillment in it, especially when computers change so much and work I've done is quickly old news. In 2001 I prayed a lot for a new path, and then all the sudden China fell into my lap. I started meeting people from China and was fascinated by the Chinese language. I had a friend from my church in California come to China to teach for a year and thought it would be so awesome. So for a year and a half I prepared myself to come to China by studying on my own and volunteering as a teacher at a Vietnamese Church. Found teaching English and building relationships this way has a lasting result and influence which has so many blessings.
2. Describe any school experience you have had, particularly in student teaching (or in another teaching position) that has prepared you for a full-time position at our school.
I guess I mentioned my first teaching experience above. Although it was a Vietnamese church, most of the students were Chinese as the ESL classes were open to all immigrants. I also tutored at the university, Boise State, in which my request to tutor Chinese was answered.
My biggest experience which I rather enjoyed was my full time work for the Tianjin Peace Institute of Foreign Language Studies in Tianjin, China. I taught every week night for three hours and Saturdays, as well as at some companies. I taught adults on week nights and junior high students on Saturdays. Classes included pre-intermediate English and business English. I also took on the role to organize social activities with our students which extended one year after I left the school to study Chinese full time. The main event was called "Game Night", usually every other Sunday night. I enjoyed teaching group games as well as American board and card games.
In Tianjin I also tutored children three nights a week, taught at an elementary school one Saturday a month, and substituted at high schools. I found I really enjoy helping people to figure out the difficulties of learning a new language, just as I must do to learn Chinese.
3. What qualities make you a "superior" teacher?
I would say my main quality is that I love being creative and doing all I can (sometimes overboard!) to organize an activity for a class. I've gone hunting for even strange kinds of foods just to have a class on fruit and vegetables, or to teach my students how to attend a formal American dinner. I will teach songs to adults and get them to act the song out, and find creative ways to explain difficult words in the song.
Another quality that others say I have is that I really get down to my students' level, whether they are kids or adults. I try to understand where they are coming from, such as how they learned English before, problems they have with the language, etc. I try to make what I teach relevant to them.
4. What principles do you use to motivate students?
My principle to motivate them is what I said in #1, that they all have a purpose and want them to find it. English can be a hard language, and yes, maybe a lot of people's English is better than theirs (Chinese always are comparing themselves), but no one has other unique qualities, background and experience that they have. English will allow them to excel in what they were put on earth to do and build relationships.
5. What are your hobbies and interests?
My interests revolve a lot around languages and computers. I also enjoy playing games with friends that allow us to have a time to be social. Music has also always been an interest to me, particularly playing contemporary worship music with guitar or piano. I've taken a big interest in Christian worship songs written by Chinese believers and doing my own translations of these songs as well as making pinyin lyrics so that foreigners can sing and understand the meaning. And I would have to say my biggest interest is in understanding Truth about our existence and love from the One who created us.