Mock Interviews Turn Into Job Offers for Broward College Teaching Graduates

More than 20 Graduates from the Teacher Education Program will join Broward County Public Schools as Newly Minted Teachers

Davie, FL (Tuesday, December 6, 2016) – The A. Hugh Adams Central Campus was a flurry of activity as 38 fall graduates from the Broward College Teacher Education Program (TEP) participated in live mock interviews with representatives from Broward County Public Schools. The event is designed to give graduating students a chance to practice their interview skills with real principals, but often goes so well that they are offered actual jobs. At the most recent event on Friday, December 2, 24 graduates received official offers, and eight received multiple offers.

Since 2012 the event, organized by the College, connects potential candidates with local Broward County School District schools that have current openings. More than 40 Broward County principals and assistant principals attended the event, which also had county human resource personnel on hand to complete the hiring process. Principals identified position requirements ahead of the event, and program managers at the College then worked to match candidates with schools.

Horace Hamm, principal of Lyons Creek Middle School, has been a part of the mock interview endeavor since its inception. He has filled nine positions at his school, including a science teacher recruited at the most recent event. “Quality teachers are hard to find. Everyone that I’ve hired through this program has been successful,” he said.

Students participated in four interview opportunities, and have the chance to vie for positions in elementary reading, middle grades STEM, math and science; high school biology, math and exceptional student education.

In addition to the interviews, new teachers and recruiters were addressed by Ronald Runcie, superintendent of Broward County Public Schools; and Brian Dassler, deputy chancellor of Educator Quality, who encouraged the educators to take their duties and responsibilities seriously. Runcie noted that, while Florida has made significant improvements in its public education system, there is more work to be done.

Dr. Avis Proctor, North Campus president and vice president for academic affairs, emphasized that the College works closely with the county and the state in the design of its courses to ensure that the needs of the teaching profession are being met. “The mock interviews started as a way to give our students the experience they needed to secure their desired teaching positions, and since the first event we have had job offers on the spot,” said Dr. Proctor. “It speaks to the quality of our program and our graduates.”

TEP currently offers an associate of science in early education, and five bachelor’s degrees in education: exceptional student education, middle grades sciences, middle grades mathematics, high school biology, and high school mathematics. In addition, the program offers an Educator Preparation Institute (EPI), which offers a teaching certification for those who currently hold a bachelor’s degree in any field other than education.

To enroll in TEP at Broward College, or to receive more information please visit www.broward.edu/TEP or call: 954-201-2500.