Since this is a program offered by NYU, I had to first submit to the university 2 essays, 3 letters of recommendation, and my undergrad transcript. Once sent, NYU reviews your materials to decide whether you're a good candidate. I was then invited to a group interview with the NYU associate professor who oversees the elementary teacher residency program. This interview was conducted with a total of 6 candidates, including myself. To prepare for this interview, NYU provides you with 2 documents to read regarding the NYU Teacher Residency and educational equality. You then have to come up with 2 discussion questions for the interview. The interview was great! The associate professor was very kind and supportive. After the interview's conducted, NYU notifies you via email whether you'll be moving on to the next stage of the application process. I received notification approximately 2 weeks later that I would be interviewing with Hyde Leadership.
My interview with Hyde was the best I've ever had! And this would be my opinion regardless of whether I was accepted into the program or not. And to think I was sick with worry preparing for it.
You know the anxiety and pressure to be perfect that most feel during interviews? Yeah, about 1 minute into my interview with Hyde that all melted away.
This was a two-part interview. The initial was a screening via Zoom to see whether I was a suitable candidate. I remember receiving the calendar invite and seeing that it was scheduled for 1 hour and having a mini panic attack. What could they possibly want to discuss for that long if this was just an initial screening? However, the interviewer was so gracious and he was so fun to talk with that we went a bit over the time limit. It was the first time that I was disappointed for an interview to end.
A few days later, I received an email stating that Hyde would like to proceed with the second interview. This time it'd be 2 hours long.... cue my panic attack! I was told that I'd be conducting a math or ELA lesson walkthrough for the initial part of the interview. I wasn't expected to teach a lesson to interviewers who would pretend to be elementary aged children. Instead, I was expected to come up with a lesson idea and expain how I'd conduct it if I were a teacher.
Cue my second panic attack.
Due to Covid, the meeting was conducted via Zoom just like the initial screening. There were 4 interviewers, 1 of which is the director for Hyde's elementary school, 2 teachers, etc. Let me tell you, these 4 ladies could NOT have been kinder to me! It felt more like I was speaking with some of my fave colleagues or great friends. After speaking with thw 4 interviewers, I was then transferred to ha e a 1-on-1 interview with the woman who oversees the school's culture, etc. She wanted to get to know me on a slightly more personal level.
All of the anxiety that had been building up inside of me previously completely vanished. I know many of you reading this will probably think that I was encouraged by Hyde Leadership to leave this review, but I can assure you that they have 0 idea that I'm writing this. I just wanted to share my honest and positive experience with other applicants who may be interested.
Don't let any of your self-doubt or fear get in your way.
The best thing about the interview was not only that they wanted me to present my authentic self, but also that they-- Hyde Leadership-- were equally as open and honest. For instance, at the end of the interview, I asked what are some of the things that the school currently struggles with, thinking that the 4 interviewers were going to sugarcoat their reality and make themselves sound perfect. However, I got a very real and honest response, which was so refreshing. Any interviewer(s) that can take the time to reflect and have an open and honest conversation is alright in my books! That let's me know that they'll be just as honest whilst I'm working for them.
The 2 hours flew by and I was actually quite sad when it ended! The hiring process took approximately 4 weeks from start to finish. I received notification from NYU in late February that I was accepted into the program.
