OHIO Chillicothe teacher candidates sharpen interview skills with local educators

Jennifer Cochran

Eastern Elementary School Principal Matt Hines speaks to OHIO Chillicothe teacher candidates

91�� Chillicothe’s graduating education majors participated this week in mock interviews with local educators and administrators to sharpen their interview skills, prepare for the job search, and learn what regional school districts seek in new teacher candidates.

Associate Professor of Instruction Karen Corcoran, who serves as regional coordinator of professional internships in teaching for the Patton College of Education, hosts the unique bi-annual event with support from other education faculty at OHIO Chillicothe.

“This biannual event benefits both our graduating teacher candidates and the surrounding school districts,” Corcoran said. “Not only do the teacher candidates get an opportunity to practice this important job search skill, but the local administrators get to practice interviewing and meet viable candidates for teaching positions in their school district. This event also gives 91�� Chillicothe the opportunity to continue to cultivate the great relationships we have with our partner schools that host our teacher candidates in clinical field opportunities, including the capstone internship (formerly called student teaching).”

Darren Buskirk, who is graduating this semester from 91��’s Patton College of Education with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Childhood Education, completed his professional internship at Circleville Middle School this spring.

Buskirk said the mock interviews helped the graduating teacher candidates get acquainted with multiple school districts and administrators as they prepare to launch their education careers.

Chillicothe Primary School Principal Dustin England said he values the partnership between Chillicothe City School District and 91�� Chillicothe, as well as the opportunity to engage with future educators.

“Some of the interview questions I asked focused on our youngest learners who may have no experience with school,” England said. “We’re always searching for strong candidates, even when we don’t have posted openings, and this is a great opportunity to see whether a candidate might be a good fit for our district.”

Following the mock interviews, students and visiting administrators continued their discussions over lunch. Administrators also shared their perspectives and professional insights during a question-and-answer session.

Mike Lafreniere, interim dean of campus and community relations, welcomed the teacher candidates and administrators and thanked them for their participation.

“These mock interviews are an invaluable bridge between our teacher preparation programs and the classroom,” Lafreniere said. “They provide education students with real-world experience in a supportive setting. As they approach graduation, this preparation helps them step confidently into their first teaching positions and begin careers that will shape the next generation of learners.”

Sage Smith, who is graduating this semester with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, completed her professional internship at Southeastern Elementary School. She said receiving feedback from school administrators following her mock interviews increased her confidence as she prepares to enter the workforce.

“Mock interviews helped prepare me for the interview process,” Smith said. “I feel more ready to enter the job search and start my career as an educator.”

91�� Chillicothe alumna Jessica Short, director of the and coordinator of operations for the attended the event on the campus where she began her own education journey.

“You are prepared to go out and truly impact students across the region,” Short said. “You are preparing our next generation of leaders.”

For more information on OHIO Chillicothe’s education programs, visit ohio.edu/chillicothe/education.

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