Interview Day: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Story by cnmAdmin2030 / January 8, 2020

As a talent professional and lifetime sports fan, I often find that my personal passion (sports) and my professional passion (human capital) have many connections. With the NCAA National Football Championship game set for Monday, I have found there are some parallels between the post-bowl game period for college football and the spring teacher recruitment season .The post-bowl period is the time when college coaches call a zone blitz to get players- both committed and undecided, to lock in before National Signing Day. At Meeting Street Schools (MSS) we are in a similarly urgent time of our recruiting season. So we put a lot of effort into closing out the recruiting process with candidates in the same way coaches do with players. MSS has a comprehensive selection process that culminates with Interview Day, our version of an official visit.

The application process at MSS is selective and has three main steps:

  • Complete an online application
  • Participate in a pre-recorded video interview
  • Participate in Interview Day.

All candidates follow this process. Sometimes we request an additional phone interview in order to get to know our candidates better, but generally it’s a third down conversion situation.

Interview Day is one of our favorite days at MSS! We invite a group of candidates for a full day visit at one of our schools. Candidates get an opportunity to tour our schools; meet our students, teachers and leaders; and participate in a formal interview. Instructional candidates also execute a 20 minute demo lesson to a class of students. Following the demo lesson these candidates participate in a coaching session to debrief their demo lesson. There is a lot of time and preparation that goes into this day for candidates and our school teams, so we look forward to being able to meet our candidates in person and see all of the preparation come to life.

The Purpose of Interview Day

The purpose of the Interview Day is two fold: we want to determine if a candidate is a fit for our schools, and we also want candidates to determine if we are a fit for them. It’s important to us that candidates are making an informed decision about where they will learn, grow and create an impact.

Our aim is that candidates will walk away from interview day with three main takeaways:

  1. The day should spark joy, and candidates should leave feeling inspired about what’s possible.
  2. Candidates should also leave with a very clear feeling that they have somehow grown from the experience. If we are truly living our mission as a school of innovation, then there is always something candidates can learn by visiting our campuses, meeting our leaders and observing our classrooms in action.
  3. We want candidates to be very clear about what the expectations are working at Meeting Street Schools. We have high expectations for teachers because we have high expectations for students, and we make no apologies for the work and commitment we require from our teachers or students.

Preparing for Interview Day

  1. Prior to applying, please know that our final interview day is a full day commitment at one of our four campuses. If you are invited to Interview Day, please be 100% sure that you can attend and participate in the full day before accepting the invitation.
  2. Once you accept the interview opportunity, make sure you prepare by following the Interview Day guide and the demo lesson instructions. Ask our talent team questions as you prepare; and solicit feedback from friends, colleagues and professors before you finalize your lesson. During the time you have to teach your lesson, our students are your students, so be all in.
  3. Be prepared for feedback when it’s time to debrief your lesson. This is another time when we want candidates to be all in. During the lesson debrief we follow the same coaching structure we do with our MSS teachers and coaches. Through this process candidates get to experience what it’s like to be coached and developed in a collaborative and rigorous environment.

Meeting Street Schools is a magical place to work. It is also a place that is demanding and a place where people work relentlessly because we’re all driven by our desire to give kids everything they deserve to have through their educational experience. If you’ve set your mind and heart on your desire to be at a place like this, then we encourage you to apply now!

 

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About Meeting Street Schools

Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.

Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.

While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.

News & NotesWe Want YOU To Be The Pinnacle Of Success

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Our Schools

MSA – CharlestonDowntown Charleston, SC - Independent School - Since 2008 - 364 Students

Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.

MSA – SpartanburgDowntown Spartanburg, SC - Public School - Since 2012 - 323 Students

MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

MS – BrentwoodNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2014 - 694 Students

MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.

MS – BurnsNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2018 - 478 Students

Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.

MS – Jasper & BeaufortJasper County, SC - Public Charter School - Fall 2023 -

MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.

CommunityVoices

  • 1/3

“Meeting Street Academy is my family. They taught me that I am valuable. I am an asset to the world…They asked me, ‘What is your dream?’ I had never been asked that before. The MSS community gives me the strength to pursue my dreams.”

— Kadelyn SteedStudent

  • 2/3

“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”

— NikToshia GilesTeacher

  • 3/3

“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”

— Tyeka GrantParent