[NOBE-L] Job interviews, teaching assistants, and accommodations

[taranabella0 at gmail.com]

Hi Jackie,

When I was interviewing for elementary positions, I typically did not state in my résumé or let the employer know that I was blind. This is a personal decision, but I liked having the opportunity to demonstrate and explain my capabilities in person. During the interview, I always made sure to bring up my blindness as early in the conversation as possible and let the principal know that they were welcome to ask any questions. Also, I would try to work in the adaptations I use and how I manage the classroom as a blind teacher as much as possible to try and cover any concerns they might have. I remember having questions regarding how I managed recess duty, graded papers, and managed the classroom. None of the schools I interviewed with brought up the idea of a teaching assistant being necessary, except for when I was interviewing for elementary special-education positions where an assistant would be provided regardless. Because I acccepted a position working at our state school for the blind as an elementary teacher, I did not have too many accommodations, but I would have requested digital versions of the textbooks that were accessible. Vocational rehabilitation provided me with a scanner, braille note taker, and Jaws which I use daily. As far as principal reactions, I did have some very negative experiences where principles doubted what was written in my résumé and did not believe I would be able to manage a classroom because of my blindness. However, I am very happy with the school I am currently working in, so whether you have these experiences or not, it is important to remember you are interviewing the schools as much as they are interviewing you, and having a positive, supportive administrator is key.

 Best of luck!  

Tara Abella

> On Feb 22, 2021, at 4:13 PM, Jackie Larrauri via NOBE-L <nobe-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> I hope you are doing well!
> As the job interview season draws near, and as I prepare for the virtual job fair, I was hoping to get some advice from those of you who have gone through the interview process. In particular, if you teach in the elementary grades, I was hoping to ask about how receptive the principals were to you teaching. I have posted some of my questions below, but I’d be more than happy to talk with anyone offlist. My number is: 571-235-0503 if that works better than email.
> Questions:
> 
>  1.  Did you let your interviewer know you were blind ahead of time or did you let them find out in the interview? I feel this question is especially applicable now with virtual job fairs and interviews—should I mention it during the interview or leave it out unless they mention it?
>  2.  Did you answer questions about your blindness and abilities during the interview? I’ve heard they’re not supposed to ask, but I’m assuming they will. If so, what sorts of questions were you asked?
>  3.  Have principals insisted on you having an assistant in order to be hired? If so, did you push against it/is it worth it?
>     *   If you do have an assistant as part of the condition of hiring you, what, if anything do they do for you? I had a meeting with the principal at my current student teaching placement and he noted that the county might need me to have an assistant (and he would ask it if he could I presume) as a safety measure for students in case of a lockdown, fire drill, behaviors that occur, and notes or other papers that I may receive throughout the day that need to be read immediately. I’m just wondering how to go about all this in the case more principals bring that up as a condition of employment.
>  4.  In terms of accommodations, what, if any did you ask for? When did you bring that up—during the interview or after you were hired?
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you for answering my questions, and I’m sorry if they seem simple—I have no idea what to expect.
> 
> Thanks again and stay safe,
> 
> Jackie
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