What motivates us to work?

Contrary to conventional wisdom, it isn't just money - but it's not exactly joy either. It seems that most of us thrive by making constant progress and feeling a sense of purpose. In this video Dan Ariely presents eye-opening experiments that reveal our unexpected and nuanced attitudes toward meaning in our work. While it is not directly related to education, the findings are fundamental.

Dean of Learning and Teaching - Interview Questions

Dean of Learning/Teaching, 4MU, 0.8 release. We want a lead learner who is an innovative, highly motivated educator who will provide strong professional leadership within our primary school. Your experience at leading successful change initatives, including BYOD, innovative learning environments, and collaborative teaching will equip you to advance our teaching practice. Successful candidate will have a good understanding of organisational leadership and adult learning. If the prospect of coaching teachers to be confident at integrating digital technologies into their classroom programmes and reflecting critically on their practice exites you, then this job is for you.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.  What has brought you to this point in your career where you are ready to assume greater responsibility?
2. Describe for us how you manage your stress during heavy workload periods.
3. How would you describe your leadership and how does this influence your processes of decision making?  How do you see your role within the senior leadership team of the school?
4. In this role, we are expecting the successful candidate to work alongside teachers across the school in a mentoring and coaching capacity to advance the process of Teaching as Inquiry.  Tell us about a time when you worked with a teacher to make changes in their pratice and the steps you took to achieve a positive outcome.
5. Tell us how you have introduced an initiative to improve outcomes for students and teachers around the integration of digital technologies and the steps you took to ensure success.  What were some of the challenges you experienced and how you worked through those?
6. What recent professional development has resulted in change to your leadership?  Why?
7. The position of Dean of Learning and Teaching requires effective time-management.  Please give examples of how you would organise your week to meet the various demands and commitments required for this role.
8. Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
9. Describe how you have communicated with parents who find a new initiative difficult to understand.
10. The Dean of Learning and Teaching is expected to be a lead learner and ensure the best learning and teaching opportunities for our students.  Explain how you would reach out to staff and parents to ensure all students have access to quality learning and teaching programmes.
11. Tell us how you build a positive team culture and climate.  When I contact your current Principal what would she say?
12. Have you got any questions for us?