The purpose of, at least the first interview, is simply to eliminate candidates based on details inconsequential in truly being able to determine a candidate's true fit and potential to succeed as a teacher. Also, though this is a fellowship for PROFESSIONALS, NOT TEACHERS, they ask questions that one would expect a teacher, instructional designer, educational psychologist, etc., to know. It's one thing to gauge a candidate's basic knowledge and understanding of learning or past experience leading trainings, giving presentations, etc., and something entirely different to grill candidates with no formal education or teaching experience on classroom management, student behavior correction, evidence-based techniques, etc. Candidates might as well interview for licensed teaching positions... It's a complete waste of a candidate's time to invite them to interview for a teacher development program only to ask them questions about the mechanics of teaching... Then they're eliminated based on their lack of knowledge or the strength of their answers to questions about teaching. The initial interview should focus less on teaching and more of capacity, personal approach to learning, logic and reasoning, memory, stress and conflict management, emotional intelligence and temperment, understanding and facilitation of DEI and engaging multicultural and diverse socioeconomic populations, etc.
