How can I find out if a particular base has on base housing for single teachers? I do not drive and living away from a base would certainly be a problem. I don't want to ask a housing question before I start and interview nor do I want to interview and at the end find out that there is no on base housing for single teachers.
Of all the locations I've lived or visited while wor...See MoreIt is true that DoDEA is built for drivers, whether overseas or in the US. I can think of only one military base (out of all DoDEA locations--both overseas and in the US) where it is very possible for a teacher to survive as a biker or walker and that base is located in Yokosuka, Japan.
Of all the locations I've lived or visited while working with DoDEA, Yokosuka was the only base with: central services available to both military and civilian, a large housing and education complex, and adequate public transportation. It is also very close to several large metropolitan areas with abundant expat groups, outdoor activities, medical centers, amusement parks, and more! The complex of schools there in Yokosuka are all fairly close to train stations and within walking distance of necessities if living adjacent to the base or housing complex. Although there are some exceptions (Host Nation teachers, teachers with unique needs, local hires, teachers with spouses who can drive them, etc.,) most bicycling or walking teachers only stay in DoDEA for a few short rotations (or less) before leaving due to the difficulties and logistics involved. It's just not sustainable over the long term.
That said, Yokosuka, Japan would be the ideal location for someone in those shoes. It would still be extremely difficult, but it is far more doable than any other location.
(1) The military base in Yokosuka, Japan does offer a special housing unit called RPP which is quite a distance from the base, but there is a shuttle. Previously this housing unit was made available to single civilians, however that may have changed. It comes furnished, so you would want to put your belongings into paid storage prior to moving.
(2) There are some units in Okinawa, Japan, which have been made available to single teachers in the past. However, as another person mentioned, military commands often change regulations based upon the needs of the military and social politics, and if you were somehow able to get housing there it would be a very difficult place to live once shuffled off base since Okinawa is also built for driving and taxis are just about the only reliable public transportation that I recall would be suitable for a non-driver.
(3) Another person on this thread mentioned Cuba. That said, that location is best for a unique soul. There are many health implications for those who are stationed there, and the isolation is truly a challenge. However, as a single person you would be living on base and it would be in a dormitory room similar to a college campus. DoDEA and the teachers union both highly caution those who even remotely consider this location. Although if you're up for the challenge, it really could be a fun adventure!
I just had what I am calling a poor interview, and I can't help but feel less than confident right now. I practiced for hours and yet, the questions still took me for a loop.
Is there anyone else who has had a similar experience? Did you still receive an offer?
spedhopefulMy first interview was horrible, so I can relate and also didn't get the job. I prep as well and the questions asked were not of those listed on the site. Fortunately, it prepare me for the next few interview and nailed it a week later. Hang in there, don't stress something will come through.
I have two atypical aspects to my situation that I haven't been able to find an answer to.
1. My wife is Brazilian. We are legally married in the US but she does not have any kind of US residency because:
2. I am currently teaching at an international school in Rwanda. I'm not sure if we will need to fly back to the states before moving to the new post
I'm sure that if I receive an offer HR will be able to tell me what to do but we want to be proactive on any special considerations we will need to deal with. Is there anyone on here with experience in this kind of situation?
locrian@helpothers By USA flight you mean a US airline or a code share with a US airline?
One of my college roommates is stationed with the AF band at Yokota so I was able to get some good info on pets from him already. Unfortunately, he doesn't know anything about how DoDEA works.
I interviewed for a position in June and never got an email if the position was filled or not. I received another referral later for another location. Does this mean that I was not selected for the position?
JaycesmommaNot necessarily. It can take weeks before you hear anything back. I had an interview and didn't receive an offer until 5 weeks later. During that time, I was getting referrals every week up until the day my offer came.
educatormamaI accepted a position and received my official offer and then was offered another position that I interviewed months before. I called HR and they told me I got to choose which position I wanted. Wait to get your response from HR before making your decision if time allows.
Most of the interviews I have had with DoDDS were the same 7 questions (e.g. Why DoDDS?, Tell me about a successful lesson you did with planning, differentiation, assessment, Tell me about a time you had a challenging situation and how you dealt with it, Tell me etc). Even when I flew to DC for the Job Fair type interviews they used to do, it was the same 7 questions. When I interviewed with a principal for my first DoDDS position 3 months later, he asked me the same 7 questions. I often wondered if he had even read my original answers or whether he was checking to see if my answers had changed.
I did have one SPED interview where they asked me about my experiences with an age/disability group specific to their school and how I would deal with certain situations. More recently, some posters have shared that admin are asking more questions tailored to the specific subject area(s) on the referral. Most people do say that some of these more general questions are still being asked.
1. Tell us about your background 2. Standards (Something about how you use standards) 3. Typical day in your class 4. How you use formatives and summatives 5. Your experience with PLCs 6. How you use technology 7. Why [your subject area]? 8. Something about how you use accommodations 9. Describe your experience with Common Core 10. Describe Continuous School Improvement 11. Whole Language approach 12. Something about team planning 13. How do you use data 14. What does a lesson plan look like
Finished a five question interview. I did know the position was for Science and Mathematics and was for the rest of SY2018-19. Q1. How do I regularly communicate with parents?; Q2. How do I spend the first few days in class?; Q3. Give an example of how I teach a lesson?; Q4. How do I handle unexpected situations in the school?; Q5. Describe how I handled an major change in the school environment. May 26Like(3)report post Can't remember if you said you were SPED but if so, you also might want to talk about how you can offer enrichment and intervention strategies to help students address skill deficits while also supporting students to achieve grade level standards/benchmarks. Success/experience with Common Core could also be helpful. And as above, they are big on using data to improve/target your teaching. How do I regularly communicate with parents?
*Describe your experience with Common Core?
*Describe a typical day in your class.
*What is your AP experience and success rate?
*What does a lesson plan look like?
*Describe how I handled a major change in the school environment?
*I handle unexpected situations in the school?
*What extracurricular activities have/will you do?
How do I spend the first few days in class?
Give an example of how I teach a lesson?
Are you able to 'wear many hats' in a small school community?
Describe 21st century teaching/learning
Describe collaborative learning with students and colleagues
Describe Continuous School Improvement
Describe success you have had with your subject area?
How do I handle unexpected situations in the school?
How do you integrate standards into your subject?
How do you use accommodations?
How do you use data to inform your teaching?
How do you use formative and summative assessments?
How do you use of technology in a meaningful way?
How will you contribute to the school community?
How will your [experience/training/education] impact student learning?
Tell me about a successful lesson you did with
Tell me about a time you had a challenging situation and how you dealt with it.
Tell us about your background.
What extracurricular activities have/will you do?
What is unique that you can bring to the school?
What is your experience with Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)?
What is your experience with team planning?
Why [your subject area]?
Why DoDDS?
1)What type of relationship would you like to have with your administration? How do you incorporate technology in your classroom/lessons? How do you convey your expectations to parents/students? How do you prepare for and teach gifted students? What classroom management/discipline plan has worked for you? How do you assess students without giving them letter grades? as an educator, do you think you can force children to respect you? What do you find most challenging in teaching children?
Tell me about yourself.
How would you handle a disruptive student?
What does you lesson plan look like?
How do you communicate with parents?
What is your SPEd background?
How do you monitor students and what do you do with your findings?
What are 3 expectations you have of your students?
What experience do you have in a 21st century school?
What is you part in collaboration?
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
Topics:
1. First few weeks of school
2. Planning for a lesson
3. Instructional practices to meet multiple needs
4. Assessing learning
5. School/classroom based issue
6. Major change (life or work)
7. Models of collaboration (student focused)
As for Reading Specialist, it's not a secondary position with DoDEA so it's not an area I have first hand experience with. From my understanding, the position generally involves working with small groups for enrichment/remediation, which may or may not include students on IEPS or who also have ESL needs (but may vary from school to school). So questions could involve working with Your knowledge/experience of strategies for improving reading/comprehension skills, students in small groups, scheduling, collaborating with classroom teachers, assessments, etc.
As for curriculum, they used to teach the Read 180 program but I believe that has been discontinued. There also was another LLI curriculum that I believe was also discontinued (apparently they are/were in the process of purchasing something new). The elementary uses Benchmark for their general education reading curriculum.
Maybe someone with more specific information/experience will post. Good luck!
I had my first interview two weeks ago and was asked to submit 3 references of people who have supervised me. Looks like they have reached out to my references listed in EAS as well. I know this is not a guarantee but makes me hopeful.
CaliBred@hunter190. Congratulations!!!!! Wow! You and your friend took longer than the two weeks I was told. I felt really good about this interview...this time. Not giving up hope. @mathgeek good luck.
Of all the locations I've lived or visited while wor...See More