DECATUR, Ill. – 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.
“The 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 ¼ϲʹٷվ 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. “The 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 ¼ϲʹٷվ'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 ¼ϲʹٷվ alumni will also prepare students for real-world interviews in the future.
“We currently anticipate approximately 20 of our ¼ϲʹٷվ Education alumni—now serving as educators and administrators in Illinois schools--will be returning to campus to lead this event,” Cunnings said. “Dr. Dan Cox—the Superintendent of the Rochester School District—is 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.”
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, ¼ϲʹٷվ 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 – 15-minute interview, 5 minutes for feedback
10:45 a.m. - Interview Round 2 – 15-minute interview, 5 minutes for feedback
11:10 a.m. - Interview Round 3 – 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. - “The Student-to-Alumni Transition”: 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. – Admins: Call Backs or Interviews with Specific Candidates
