Public School Principals’ Perceptions Concerning the Hiring of Social Studies Teachers

Authors

Lindon Joey Ratliff, Mississippi State University
Joshua Watson, Mississippi State University
Patricia Ratliff, Mississippi State University

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The authors employed a qualitative research design to explore issues pertaining to the selection and interviewing of social studies applicants for teaching positions in public secondary schools. They specifically focused on the quality of the applicant pool, characteristics of desired candidates and the school principals’ perspectives of a desired interview. Analysis of the principals’ responses to the interview questions yielded two primary categories related to their perspectives regarding potential social studies teachers: (a) personal and professional educator attributes and (b) a candidate’s actions within the formal setting of an interview. Subcategories were developed that further delineated the expectations administrators have concerning their potential social studies teachers. The authors address implications for social studies teachers seeking employment and the establishment of stronger teacher training programs to assist with the alignment of the candidate’s interview skills with the desires of school administrators.

Recommended Citation

Ratliff, Lindon Joey; Watson, Joshua; and Ratliff, Patricia (2013) "Public School Principals’ Perceptions Concerning the Hiring of Social Studies Teachers," The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies: Vol. 74: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/the_councilor/vol74/iss1/4