If you are applying for a new teaching job, hoping to switch schools, changing grade levels, or trying to land your very first classroom position, this episode is packed with the kind of advice you usually only hear behind closed doors. I am joined by not one, but two elementary principals, Jake and Rob, for an honest conversation about what really matters in the hiring process. From getting the interview to standing out once you’re in the room. They talk through what principals notice right away, what makes a candidate memorable, and how teachers can better prepare for interviews, demo lessons, and even internal grade-level changes. There is also a lot of reassurance here for anyone feeling discouraged by rejections or overwhelmed by the process. In this episode, we discuss: how to talk to your principal if you want to change grade levels within your schoolwhat helps candidates land an interview, including resume details, cover letters, and reaching out directlywhy getting your foot in the door through subbing, paraprofessional work, or long-term positions can make a huge differencewhat principals are really looking for in an interview beyond the buzzwordshow personality, authenticity, preparation, and school culture all factor into hiring decisionsthe kinds of questions candidates should be ready to answer, especially around collaboration, differentiation, and family communicationwhat questions you should ask in an interview to make sure the school is the right fit for youtips for demo lessons, including how to prepare, what administrators are watching for, and why student engagement matters most This episode is packed! Jake and Rob also share some of the biggest red flags in interviews, the value of thank-you emails, and why schools are not just hiring a teacher on paper, they are hiring someone to join a team and care for kids every day. If you are job searching right now, or even just thinking about making a change, this episode will help you feel more prepared, more confident, and a lot less in the dark about the process. Work with Zeba 1:1 Coaching Send Zeba a voice message Connect with Zeba:Instagram - @kindergartencafeFacebook - @kindergartencafeWebsite - www.kindergartencafe.orgTik Tok - @kindergartencafe Mentioned in this episode: Monthly Guides https://www.kindergartencafe.org/guides/
