For anyone interested in the answer to my initial question, I
can tell you what happened. The interview with the
Superintendent was definitely the most difficult. He never
appeared impressed with any answer, and even when I answered a
question thoroughly with what I felt to be an appropriate and
adequate response, he would occasionally say things like
"and?" or "anything else?" Also, for some questions, he made
them especially difficult. Here are 3 examples:

1. He asked what I would do with an irate parent. So I gave my
answer. Then he said "well, pretend that didn't work. This is
a mother who was a valedictorian, her husband was
valedictorian, and their son who is in your class is going to
be valedictorian! And he's getting a 88% B in your class!
She's getting louder and louder." So I give a different
answer, to suit the specific situation. No dice. "Oh, no. She
can't be consoled like that. She's still coming toward you and
she doesn't believe a word you're telling her." At that point,
I waited a few moments to think, and finally had to say "I
don't know."
2. Another difficult question for me was about how to keep
students continuing on in the French program once they are
already in it. In my answer I talked about some interesting
units that they might look forward to, about giving them
information about what they might learn in coming years, and
mentioned that students who are interested often hook others.
But that wasn't good enough either. He asked me the same
question twice. I'm going to assume I didn't say what he was
looking for.
3. One question related to the last one was about how you
would initially get kids interested in taking French. Oh, I
felt pretty well prepared for *this* question! I brought out
my "Why Learn French?!" flyer and everything. I spouted off
several famous French people, places, and a couple of
international companies based in France. Not good enough. He
says, "OK, say there is a kid who is only interested in the
trumpet. How are you going to invite him into the program?" In
my head, I kind of go "uh...hmm..." and end up saying "Well,
for him I might not mention French actors, but rather really
influential French musicians and composers." I thought that
was an ok response? But he says "Nah. He doesn't care about
any of that stuff. He just cares about playing in marching
band and being with his friends. So, how do you get him
interested?" Again, after a minute or two to mull it over, I
have to resort to the disappointing "I don't know."

Needless to say, when it came down to me and the other
candidate, I lost. This is the 4th time I have come in "second
place." And for the fourth time, I have asked if there was
anything I could do differently and have yet again gotten
nothing to work with. Just another person saying "You
interviewed really well, at all of the interviews. It just
came down to the other candidate." Now, I can use the excuse
that I had a traumatic experience the night before my
interview, hadn't had much sleep, and also had a bad headcold
at the time. But, I'm quite sure I'd have "missed" these
questions even if I had my head on totally straight. So, since
I had no real feedback from any of my interviews, could
someone try to help me out with answers to the above
questions? At least I'll feel like I am trying to be better so
I can actually land the job the next time. :(

ANY ADVICE IS WELCOME AND APPRECIATED!!!

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