Did you guys have an assessment/activity? If so, how did you execute it via webcam? & how did the group activity work via webcam? @smilingsunflower & @TFAMike
@TFA2016AJ I write this completely as a cautionary tale (that’s pretty funny). I think some people interpreted the virtual interview as being less formal. Psychologically, I get it. I mean, being in your home is going to invoke a more casual mood, so I think you have to actively suppress those urges that you may not have interviewing on a college campus or at a TFA regional center.
I have a feeling the group activity is way more difficult online versus in person. We were all very cautious about speaking over each other, and it led to more than one moment of awkward silence. It was also hard to get a word in without seeming rude. When you talk to someone in person, you can take the baton in a conversation by talking during a natural pause. This wasn’t as easy online. By the time natural pauses occurred, the same person had continued their train of thought and trying to interject just felt rude.
The group activity was essentially the same from what I have heard from my friends who went through the normal interview process. We were sent the situation we were meant to discuss via the documents on the webinar program. From there we picked a note taker and we would just talk. Since people’s webcams popped up whenever they started talking it was easy to see if you were about to interrupt someone and generally my group was very cordial in allowing people to speak. The interviewers just muted their microphones during this point and stayed in the session to observe.
In terms of assessment/activity, I taught something on MSDS and chemical safety, specifically the NFPA hazard square. I did this via powerpoint and had a section where I called on people in my interview group (including one interviewer) to answer questions as we worked through a problem together.
I did the virtual interview as well and was a lot more nervous for it then I should have been! I have taken a lot of online classes through my university, but just didn’t know what to expect for this. I actually attended the web prep webinar and that was pretty helpful! The day started off really good- almost everyone was logged on early in my session. As people logged on they checked their video and mic to make sure everything was working correctly. Once time came, we had two interviewers and they went over all the features of doing the interview online- the showed the buttons to upload slides/share screen and showed (and let us practice) using the whiteboard. This time made me feel very comfortable to feel at least confident in knowing the buttons I would need- I was very nervous for this, but it really is as easy as they make it sound!!
We then moved into the mini-lessons. Like most of the other interviews I heard about, they took a volunteer for the first one and then we went in order. You see about half your screen as the whiteboard/whatever the presenter is sharing. The other half is divided into the top of that half being the video of the person talking, and the bottom as four thumbnails of everyone in the session. You are supposed to leave your camera on the entire time, but you could mute your mic when you were not talking so every sound was not heard the whole time if not needed This was nice for the presentations time when we were not always directly participating. There was one person who kept turning heir camera off and then back on a few moments later…it was very noticeable that this person wasn’t fully engaged at this time. Just like a real interview, and like they say, make sure to not have distractions during this time if at al possible! Even if your video is off, its obvious that your not paying attention…
For my lesson plan I used a powerpoint presentation that I uploaded and had people acting things out. This actually worked out alright over the virtual interface! I had to scroll though the thumbnails to see that people were participating correctly which took some extra seconds, but overall I would still do it the same way if I had to again! The others in my group used just the white board directly, shared their screen (BE CAREFUL of your screen if this is what you do, one person shared their screen which had a slightly personal photo as their backdrop. It made me feel a little awkward to be seeing!), and uploaded powerpoints or word documents. It was actually way easier then I thought, and that seemed to be the general opinion!! The thing that took the most time is typing in the necessary info, that most people in face-to-face interviews already bring on a board (name, subject, grade level…)… what I did was have this already typed and copied, so all I had to do was past it in the chat box! Other people took their entire prep time typing, one person completely forgot to type it, and two did it after their presentation. I would defiantly recommend having that info ready to just submit- it does have to go into the chat box (not just on the first slide of a powerpoint…).
After the mini lessons, we did the group activity. This time flew by! I found it a little hard with everyone trying to say points, but only about one time. EVERYONE was so polite and made a huge effort to take turns talking. I was surprised at how well our group activity went. It was just like a group discussion in person, without always seeing the visual cues that someone is about to talk…you just hear them begin speaking. At that point if more then one person started talking they would both stop and try again. My interviewers seemed very understanding of how its a little more difficult without being able to see everyone.
After this discussion we signed up for individual interviews, and logged out until it was our turn to come back. I didn’t feel super great about the outcome of my individual interview, but I was able to answer all the questions…I just didn’t feel a great connection that I know others have had! If you had a phone interview, the questions asked reminded me almost exactly like the phone interview for this. I felt awkward sometimes when my interviewer was typing, but they do warn us that its normal for them to be typing a little while after we finish answering!
And then it was the end! I thanked my interviewer and logged out. Overall, seriously nothing to be worried about, at least in my perspective! I as very nervous about have difficulties, but your interviewers are Very helpful to make sure you don’t have any 
If anyone has any specific questions I am more then happy to answer anything as well!
You three are awesome and so detailed!! Future applicants are going to love this information. I hope us 4DL come back and visit the thread after Thursday to inform future applicants of the post acceptance process & of course, so we can all keep in touch- though I’m sure we’ll exchange info via other mediums to connect.
Speaking of, I’ve gone though a few of the past boards, but have seen so little on what happens after if your accepted! Have you seen much @TFA2016AJ (or anyone else??)? I know we have regional induction and the orientation…but anymore specifics?
If accepted, I’m moving at least 3-5 thousand miles…I’ve been trying to figure out when this is possible to do! Does anyone know if we have time after the orientations to move? The website says to assume after orientation starts your days will be pretty full until the first day of school…but looking at the dates it seems like we should have 2-3 weeks there. Or are we supposed to move beforehand and just hold onto our stuff for the month of orientation before moving to our region? Thanks in advance!!
@TFA2016LD nope. Nada anywhere. That’s why I hope we come back and share our experience. It’s such a huge mystery what happens next. According to my top choice in region’s website, the best time to move is during the break between institute and the start of orientation. It’s the safest time to move because placements have been finalized allowing CMs to live near their placement school/school community. It is strongly recommended to only bring what is necessary to induction & institute on your initial trip to your region & wait to move larger items. I guess most regions allot time during induction to look into housing and most CMs conduct research online & contact realtors during the weekends of institute.
Back in 2011 (I think), Miami CMs created a website all about housing. It was amazing! It had all of the different neighborhoods, cost, testimonies, pros, cons, etc.
In your google search bar, enter “TFA Onboarding Logistics (insert region here)” and you may find additional info. A good majority of the region’s have a PDF similar to this:
This is for Hawaii btw.
Not all of the regions have this site/PDF, but with some digging, you may find a weebly website (my region has one). Also, try copying the link and replacing HAWAII with the name of your region. At any rate, even if you can’t find the specific one you’re looking for, looking at this info for various regions still painted a clear picture for me of what to expect, even if it wasn’t my region specifically.
These are GREAT resources! Of course we don’t know our placement yet, but this gave me a good idea of what to expect. Of course most of my research has been tailored to my #1 choice so I’ve been mentally preparing for costs such as 3 transcripts & my tuberculosis shots specific to that region. It’s important to consider minor details like that before induction! I hope this helps.
Did anyone apply for the 2017 Early Admissions deadline? Looking forward to seeing my final decision on March 17.
@zombiesatebrain I think some early application threads exist, though the most recent one may be the 2016 one so you may end up having to start one.
This is the one for the 2016 Early Application (started in March of 2015), however; it died down pretty quickly. I think most return in the months leading up to the summer you begin in that year’s regular thread (so the 2017 thread which should be starting around August during 1DL).
Good luck with your acceptance & journey next year. Make sure to come back and let us know how everything goes on Thursday!!
Less than 24 hours everyone! I’m so nervous. I keep checking the portal even though I know nothing will change right now lol
as far as “what happens next” after admission…
so far, i’ve been talking to different corps members and people from my regional office asking all the questions i have about… everything. obviously this is a HUGE decision and they are being so helpful (and realistic) about their experiences and what i might be able to expect.
They told me when induction will be, where/when summer institute will be, and the timelines before the school year begins. It sounds like you go to induction at your region for a few days (end of may/ early june), then travel to summer institute (for sodak, arizona, hawaii and new mexico it’s at arizona state university because all of the “native placements” have induction together).
They also sent a TON of information via powerpoint of the region, the placements in the region, and the pre-training information (re: relocation, summer institute, exams you have to pass, timelines of accepting offer/ passing exams). A directory of corps and alumni members to reach out to was also emailed me to which you can initiate on your own.
@TFA2016AJ Thank you so much for your well-wishes!!! Should we both get the news we’re hoping we should definitely connect
I’m so anxious about tomorrow but I’m so glad it’s finally here! The past two weeks have been a brutal waiting game!! Just about 24 hours from now, everyone!!!
Also I forget who asked but yeah, I saw a change on my TF status. I was actually emailing them too because one of my documents was confusing and they emailed me back. Now both of my documentations have been verified and the thing that was saying that I’d underestimated my tuition has gone away
@TFA2016AJ These are great resources!!! Thank you!! I had only seen the 2016 regional guide for a few of the regions, but not the onboarding. That was great to read through!! Also the weebly sites- I wish I had asked sooner! I couldn’t find my top regions, but still the information seems to be very similar across the board so this was fun to read though!
Also, @bravingthecorn Thanks for your information!! It’s so good to hear how many more resources are available if you get accepted. I’ve been nervous for notification day, but then even more nervous about how to know what steps to take if I’m accepted! This sounds like there is always someone to answer questions…good to know!
…and now 24 more hours. Good luck to everyone!!!
Omg @TFA2016AJ you’re amazing I didn’t know anything about onboarding stuff, I found an ENTIRE Onboarding Hub for Charlotte!!! It’s from 2012 but it has institute timeline including induction and summer school, it has links to contact people there as well as apartments/areas corps members live in; basically everything I’ve been tryna piece together on my own!! Now even more anxious about tomorrow!!
Hey guys I just found this quirky girl’s blog about what it’s like to be in TFA. She has stuff from institute, her first days of teaching, and stuff in between. She’s funny, she reminds me of Jess from New Girl (if anyone else watches that!) It’s awesome because she’s just as jittery and excited as I imagine we all will be and she goes into the good, funny, the bad and the ugly all the same.
http://annagesch.blogspot.com/2012/06/notes-of-tfa-er-deep-end.html
Anyone find the on boarding docs for DC? I’ve tried googling and nothing comes up
@TFA2016LD YES! Please, future virtual interviewers: Pre-type your required objective. It will save you time and stress. I had, saved to my clipboard:
TFAMike
Subject: Psychology
Grade: 10
Objective: Students will be able to apply attribution theory to everyday situations
All I had to do was hit control V. It saved me a good 20 seconds.
@dawnbreaker9 Thanks!!