DECATUR, Ill. β will host its annual on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms of the University Commons.
The event connects School of Education student-teachers with alumni and local school administrators to improve their interview skills, provide feedback and develop professional networks among regional school districts.
βThe Interview Bootcamp is one of the School of Education's signature annual events that facilitates an ongoing professional relationship between our current and soon-to-be alumni. All ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Alumni who attend now work in educational leadership and administration positions in Illinois schools, and they provide a wealth of knowledge that they share with our students as they prepare to enter the teaching profession," School of Education Director Dr. Chris Cunnings said. βThe fact that we have so many successful and selfless education alumni that return to campus each year to help our student teachers prepare to enter the profession is a testimony to ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ's long and storied tradition of educational excellence.
An alumni-led panel discussion will cover a variety of topics, including common challenges new teachers face in their first year and tips on navigating the job application process. Students will take part in break-out sessions talking about the Illinois Teachers Retirement System (TRS) and tips and tricks for teacher evaluations.
Three rounds of 15-minute mock interviews with ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ alumni will also prepare students for real-world interviews in the future.
βWe currently anticipate approximately 20 of our ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Education alumniβnow serving as educators and administrators in Illinois schools--will be returning to campus to lead this event,β Cunnings said. βDr. Dan Coxβthe Superintendent of the Rochester School Districtβis our alum who helps organize, implement, and lead the alumni side of everything, and the School of Education is immensely grateful to have him serving in a leadership capacity for this event.β
Interview Bootcamp Schedule of Events
8:30 a.m. - Alumni arrival, Student Teacher check-in begins, Student Teacher & Alumni Professional Headshot Photo Session No. 1
8:45 a.m. - Alumni Welcome - Dr. Chris Cunnings, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Director of the School of Education
9:00 a.m. - Student welcome & opening remarks by Dr. Cunnings
9:10 a.m. - Panel discussion with Student Q&A
9:40 a.m. - Small Group Breakout Session #1
9:55 a.m. - Small Group Breakout Session #2
10:10 a.m. - Break
10:20 a.m. - Interview Round 1 β 15-minute interview, 5 minutes for feedback
10:45 a.m. - Interview Round 2 β 15-minute interview, 5 minutes for feedback
11:10 a.m. - Interview Round 3 β 15-minute interview, 5 minutes for feedback
11:30 a.m. - Lunch, Student Teacher & Alumni Professional Headshot Photo Session No. 2
12:25 p.m. - Small group resume critique session & professionalism discussions
12:50 p.m. - βThe Student-to-Alumni Transitionβ: Alumni & Development
1:00 p.m. - Concluding remarks by Dr. Cunnings
1:05 p.m. - Administrator and Alumni debrief and plan for 2024
After 1:20 p.m. β Admins: Call Backs or Interviews with Specific Candidates
