TRD Info Pack
Please Read The Following Information Carefully.
Be Sure To Bring Your Admission Ticket (Postcard) To The Event.
March 2010
We look forward to seeing you at CNY-TRD 2010! Please read the following information carefully. An ADMISSION TICKET (postcard) to the Teacher Recruitment Days at SUNY Cortland on April 12 and 13, 2010 will be mailed to you. It indicates the time to report for your scheduled Registration and Orientation Session. BE SURE TO BRING YOUR ADMISSION POST CARD TO THE EVENT!!! If you do not receive an admission postcard by April 7, contact your campus Career Center.
LOCATION
The entire TRD event will take place in the Park PER Alumni Arena at SUNY Cortland. Check-in, orientation, and interview sign-ups will take place on Monday morning. Parking is available in the Rt. 281 College parking lot and in the nearby Applebee’s /K-Mart parking lot only. Shuttle buses will transport you from each location to the PER Center where the event is being held. Do not attempt to park closer to the PER Center as University Police will re-direct you back to the parking lot. You will be ticketed if you are parked anywhere else on campus. You can find a map of the SUNY Cortland campus and other important information on the TRD web site: www.oswego.edu/trd
TIME
The time to report for the Required Check-in and Orientation Session is printed on your Admission Ticket Postcard. There are two designated sessions because of the large number of accepted candidates. Bring your Admission Ticket postcard to the event. This ticket will serve as your pass into the event. Tickets are NOT TRANSFERABLE. You may also want to bring this info pack with you to TRD.
* Elementary and Special Education certifications will report by 8:00 AM for your Check-in and Orientation session with Interview Sign-ups taking place from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
* All other certifications will report by 9:15 AM for Check-in and Orientation session with Interview Sign-ups taking place from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM.
* Candidates who have dual certification in Elementary or Special Education as well as another certification area will automatically be assigned to the first session.
Check-in and Orientation is on the second floor of the Park PER Center Corey Gymnasium. Use the
Ice Arena entrances to the building. ** NOTE - Doors open at 7:30am for the 8:00am session and at 8:45am for the 9:15am session. Interviews will be held from late morning through the afternoon of April 12, and continue on April 13.
Check your campus and school district policies regarding absence from classes and student teaching assignments. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make all necessary arrangements. It is required that you attend Day 1 (Monday, April 12) since Interview Sign-ups for both days take place on Day 1. Attending Day 2 (Tuesday, April 13) is optional.
PREPARING
ü You can access a current listing of the districts on the TRD website which will be updated periodically.
ü You may also find links to many districts’ websites through the “Who’s Hiring“ list on the TRD website. Also, take advantage of services available on your campus (interview workshops, mock interviews, interview guidebooks). A resource center with school district information will be available on-site at TRD.
ü Please keep in mind that many candidates will be vying for the same school districts. Try to maximize your time by exploring alternative school districts.
TRANSPORTATION, FACILITIES & SPECIAL NEEDS
ü Transportation to Cortland is the candidate’s responsibility. Car pools are encouraged as parking may be crowded. You may wish to check with your career center for information regarding car pool arrangements.
ü The Poolside Snackbar, located on the mezzanine level of the Park PER building, will be open for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A number of restaurants are within close proximity to the College.
ü Information on hotels and restaurants in the Cortland area is listed on the TRD website.
ü If you have any physical mobility difficulties or special needs that require assistance, please contact your career services office.
RESUMES & INTERVIEWS
ü Bring at least 25 final copies of your resume. There are no copiers available on-site. One resume will be required at each interview sign-up. Extra copies may be distributed to districts with whom you were not able to interview during the open sign-up period. Do not bring credential packets to the event.
ü Appropriate interview attire is required for all candidates. Because of the nature and location of this event, the committee encourages women to wear low-heeled shoes. You will find them more comfortable for climbing stairs and negotiating the slippery concrete surfaces in the Ice Arena. Everyone should keep in mind that regardless of outside temperature, the Ice Arena is cool. If you have wardrobe questions, check with your career center.
ü It is possible that your interviews will be spaced several hours apart. Please plan accordingly. You may wish to bring a book or other materials to work on during this time.
The TRD Committee has worked hard to provide this opportunity for candidates. We hope you will find it helpful to your job search efforts!
Directions to SUNY Cortland & Parking for TRD
PLEASE NOTE: On DAY ONE (Monday) shuttles will run from both the Applebee’s/ K-Mart Plaza and the SUNY Cortland Rt. 281 Parking Lot to the PER Center where TRD is held. When the SUNY-Cortland 281 Parking lot is full University Police will direct candidates to the Applebee’s/K-Mark Plaza Parking lot. On DAY TWO (Tuesday) there will be NO SHUTTLES from Applebee’s / K-MART. On Friday everyone should park in the SUNY Cortland Rt. 281 Parking lot or as directed by University Police.
From North, South, and East: From Rt. 81, take Exit 12 (Ithaca/Homer). Look for signs “Ithaca and 281.” At light, turn left onto 281S (South). Go 2.5 miles and the large Rt. 281 College parking lot will be on your left. If that lot is full a UPD(University Police) officer will direct you to the Applebee’s/K-Mark plaza parking lot which is located 1 additional mile south on Rt. 281 in the CORTLANDVILLE CROSSINGS MALL. A shuttle bus from each location will take you to the PER Center. Please try to remember where you parked. For a more hassle free day proceed directly to the Cortlandville Crossings Mall and park near Applebee’s/K-Mart and take the shuttle.
From West and South on Rt. 13: Go North on Rt. 13 to Cortland. When entering Cortland from the south there will be a mall on your right. You are at the CORTLANDVILLE CROSSINGS MALL. Please park in the parking area between Applebee’s and K-Mart. A shuttle bus will take you to the PER Center.
PARTICIPATING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY CAZENOVIA COLLEGE COLGATE UNIVERSITY
CORNELL UNIVERSITY ELMIRA COLLEGE ITHACA COLLEGE KEUKA COLLEGE LE MOYNE COLLEGE
SUNY @ CORTLAND SUNY @ ONEONTA SUNY @ OSWEGO SUNY @ POTSDAM
SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY UTICA COLLEGE WELLS COLLEGE
ACCOMMODATIONS AND EATERIES
HOTELS/MOTELS
Comfort Inn
2 1/2 Locust Ave.
Exit 11 of I-81
607-753-7721
Budget Inn
Rt.11, Exit 12 off I-81
(5 minute drive)
607-753-3388
Econo Lodge
Rt.13, 6/10 mi. from
Rt.81, Exit 11
10 Church Street
607-756-2856
Holiday Inn
2 River Street
Exit 11 of I-81
607-756-4431
Imperial Motel
28 Port Watson St.
607-753-3383
7 Valley Motel
46 Tompkins Street
607-753-1515
Super 8 Motel
188 Clinton Ave.Ext.
Exit 11 off I-81
607-756-5622
CASUAL DINING
Applebee’s
Rt.13, Cortland
753-6031
Bob Evans Restaurant
1 River Street, Cortland
753-6196
Community Restaurant
10 Main Street, Cortland
756-5441
Denny’s Restaurant
2 Locust Avenue, Cortland
753-8084
Doug’s Fish Fry
3638 West Road, Cortland
753-9184
Friendly’s
158 Clinton Avenue, Cortland
756-9805
145 West Road, Cortland
753-3200
Hollywood Restaurant
27 Groton Avenue, Cortland
753-3242
Jack Danielson’s
60 Main Street, Cortland
753-7753
Pita Gourmet
41 Main Street, Cortland
756-4442
Ponderosa Steak House
West Road, Cortland
756-2383
The Skillet
Cortlandville Mall, Cortland
758-3642
CHINESE RESTAURANTS
Ho Ho Buffet
Rt. 13 (near K-mart)
753-8122
Hong Kong
1 Main Street, Cortland
756-8195
Hunan Wok
Groton Avenue Plaza, Cortland
756-4022
FAST FOOD
A&W Root Beer Drive-In
Route 13 & 281, Cortland
756-2021
Burger King
Groton Avenue Ext., Cortland
753-0351
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Groton Avenue Ext., Cortland
753-3238
King Sub
137 Main Street, Cortland
753-7092
McDonald’s
Rt. 81 & Clinton Avenue, Cortland
753-3402
Taco Bell
9 River Street, Cortland
758-3228
Wendy’s
157 Clinton Avenue, Cortland
753-3710
BAKERIES/DONUT/COFFEE SHOPS
Coffee Mania
160 Port Watson Street, Cortland
756-9933
& Groton Ave. Plaza
Koffee Kup Restaurant
1098 State Rd. Rt. 222, Cortland
756-1957
Blue Frog
Marketplace Mall
64 Main Street, Cortland
758-7989
WHAT RECRUITERS LOOK FOR....
The following is a list of the qualities most employers will look for when interviewing prospective employees. The bottom line to the interviewer is: “Who will be an asset to the organization?” and “What will you do for me?”
1. Self-motivation
2. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
3. Self-confidence
4. A willingness to work
5. Evidence of achievement
* academic-GPA, honors
* extra-curricular involvement
* competition
* work experience
6. Personal qualities and attributes
* the ability to get along and work well with others
* positive attitude
* poise
* self-expression
* appearance
* realistic goals
* enthusiasm
* keen interest in one’s work
7. Knowledge of the organization and position
HANDLING INAPPROPRIATE QUESTIONS
A more complete listing of questions you are likely to be asked begins on the next page. Be sure to review them and be prepared to respond to several of them throughout the course of the interview.
It is not appropriate for the interviewer to ask personal questions unrelated to the qualifications of the job for which you are interviewing. Such inappropriate (illegal) questions could include: “What does your spouse do?”, “Will being married or having children interfere with your ability to travel and relocate?”, “Are you planning on getting married (having children) soon?” There are many more examples of discriminatory questions. Every candidate needs to make a personal decision on how to respond to these inquiries. Regardless of the method you choose, this situation should be handled tactfully and politely. There are three ways to respond to illegal questions:
1. Alert the interviewer to an illegal question.
2. Simply answer the illegal questions.
3. Determine the underlying concern and address it in your answer. For example: “Are you planning to have (or do you already have) children? The underlying concern could be your ability to perform all aspects of this position effectively.”
However, if you feel that there was discrimination and you were turned down for a job based upon your response to an illegal question, the necessary legal steps can be taken after the interview. It will then be up to the interviewer to prove that discrimination did not take place.
A CANDIDATES GUIDE TO LEGAL & ILLEGAL QUESTIONS
Teacher Recruitment Days
A half dozen federal laws protect job applicants from questions that might be used to discriminate against them. Basically, the employer must prove (if challenged) that an interview question is directly related to the duties of the job for which you are applying.
Listed below are items that can be used during the interview and items that are illegal to ask. Your job resume and employer application form also need not contain this information. You may, however, voluntarily provide any of the information below.
Questions likely to be asked and you should answer:
Where have you worked before?
What duties have you performed on past jobs?
What are your short & long-range career goals?
Why are you interested in this organization?
Tell me about yourself.
What education have you completed?
(If a certain level is required for the job.)
How did you learn about this job?
Can you list your references?
What is your Social Security number?
What is your address and phone number?
What special qualifications do you have for this job?
May I answer any questions about the job or organization?
What are your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses?
Why does this job interest you?
Why did you select this particular career?
Are you willing to travel, to relocate?
What job skills do you have?
(What specific skills are needed)
Do you have a license for the field?
(If required)
(Note that questions of this type focus on the job, your specific qualifications for it, and your career goals.)
Questions you need not answer:
Are you married?
With whom do you live?
If married, are you expecting to have children soon?
What does your spouse do?
Were your parents born in this country? (It is legal to ask for positions requiring a security clearance.)
How old are you? (It is legal to ask if you are legally old enough to work)
Have you ever filed for bankruptcy?
Where do you bank?
Have you ever been arrested? (It is legal to ask to provide information on criminal convictions)
How tall are you?
How much do you weigh? (It is legal to ask about height & weight if they are necessary for the performance of a job)
How many children do you have?
If you have children, what kinds of daycare arrangements have you made?
What memberships do you hold in social, religious, and community groups?
What is your military service status?
If a veteran, what kind of discharge did you receive?
Are you physically handicapped?
(Note that these questions delve into your personal life and are not legitimate occupational qualifications.
Source: The Career Opportunities News, PO Box 109, Garrett Park, MD 20896
Sample Interview Questions for Teachers
Ø Why did you decide to teach?
Ø How would you individualize instruction?
Ø How would you work with students below grade level, especially lower socioeconomic students?
Ø What is the most memorable ethnic experience you have had in the classroom?
Ø Which grade level would you prefer? Why?
Ø How would you use aides and parent volunteers?
Ø What are your opinions on discipline in the Elementary/Junior/Senior High level?