Office of Teacher Certification

How is my placement request done?

A copy of your resume and professional statement are sent to the school(s) at which we will be requesting a placement.

How do I check for my placement?

The OTC will notify you by phone or by email to come in and pick up your school interview information sheet.

Now that I have my placement, what do I do?

The school interview information sheet will contain all the information you need to contact the school and make arrangements for your interview. You need to make sure that you schedule your interview as soon as you receive your information as other colleges and universities are looking for the same placements.

How do I schedule the interview?

If you are calling the school phone number, you will most likely be speaking with the school secretary. Make sure that you identify yourself as a potential student teacher from Plymouth State University. Most teachers cannot leave the classroom to take a phone call and principals are often unavailable; be prepared to leave a message.

Accommodate the teacher. If calling a home phone number, remember that teachers may appreciate being called earlier in the evening. Do not call after 9 p.m., unless so specified.

Ask about any parking restrictions, especially at city schools and large schools. Don’t risk a parking ticket or a tow truck.

If unsure, ask for directions to the school.

How do I prepare for the interview?

Review your copy of the Teacher Certification Handbook. Be familiar with your placement dates for the semester that you will be student teaching. If you are taking a Winterim course, it could affect your placement dates. Before you sign the Placement Confirmation form, you should be aware of all requirements. It is recommended that you prepare as you would for a job interview.

Review your professional statement and resumé. Principals sometimes focus on general questions, and this could be an area for discussion.

Review specific instructional techniques that relate to your major. Refer to the materials from your methods course(s).

Make your methods instructor or advisor aware of the school(s) where you will be interviewing. He/she may be able to provide some valuable information about the school or teacher.

Review your course notes about inclusion/mainstreaming, classroom management techniques and discipline strategies as they relate to your area. Be prepared for questions that ask how you would respond to a specific situation.

Be familiar with the use of technology in your area.

Be prepared to discuss a particular lesson that you have developed and possibly taught as part of your methods class. It is okay to have notes on an index card. You may also want to bring something you have developed in class, i.e. a unit, an activity sheet(s) or an instructional game. Share it with the teacher to give him/her an idea of your capabilities.

If you are unsure of the location of the school, make sure you make a dry run a day or two before your interview. This will save you the embarrassment of getting lost or being late.

Dress professionally. Even if you will be teaching in a gym and dressing casually on a daily basis, your interview appearance should be professional.  It is recommended that you be conscious about hygiene, jewelry, etc.

What can I expect at the interview?

Arrive a little before the assigned time and report to the main office unless you’ve been told otherwise.

Address all school personnel by their appropriate titles (Dr., Mrs., Mr., etc.)

If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t try to fake it. “I’m sorry, I don’t know,” is the best answer. If it is a procedural question that can be answered by someone at the Office of Teacher Certification, let us know when you get back to campus so that we can respond to the potential cooperating teacher or administrator.

Ask about the curriculum you will be working with. Get textbooks and faculty/student handbooks.

What do I do when the interview is over?

All student teachers must now have a criminal record check as required by New Hampshire law. Each school district has its own procedure. If the cooperating teacher is not sure of the requirements, you will have to speak with the principal or secretary (see Policies and Procedures for Student Teaching).

Exchange home phone numbers and e-mail addresses with the cooperating teacher.

Most schools have a school year calendar that contains dates for school vacation and holidays, as well as teacher workshop days. Ask for copies for yourself and your clinical faculty. Visit the school’s website.

Schedule a time (two to three days) for your observation/orientation.

Have the Placement Confirmation Sheet signed by both the cooperating teacher and the school administrator. Make sure you have the correct placement date listed with the month, day, and year. This should be brought back or mailed to the Office of Teacher Certification by the due date indicated on the form. You may not begin your student teaching unless this form is filed in your certification folder. If the administrator is not available to sign the form, you may leave it with a self-addressed envelope and have him/her mail it to the Office of Teacher Certification. It is your responsibility to make sure the OTC has received the placement confirmation sheet.

When you get back to campus, write thank you notes to each person involved in the interview process. Make sure that you have the correct spelling of all names. Call the school secretary if you have any questions.