Would this sound arrogant in an interview for a TA position?

[moffat]

I have been SAHM for six yrs - dcs now in school FT. I have an interview for a TA position in a Reception class. Would it seem arrogant if I said, in a polite way, that I would be good at the job because I am good with kids and have been told (by HV, playgroup teacher, nursery teacher and school teacher) that my kids are great and I should carry on doing whatever I am doing with them as I am obviously doing something right. Would it sound really deluded and arrogant?

I think the bit about being told you are good with kids is fine, but leave out the part about your own kids being good, as to me that implies that you think all kids with problems have bad parents IYSWIM.

Agree with odearyme

Agree with odearyme - it also sounds like you think the job will be like being a mother (which in some ways it will, but it isn't).

List what you are good at and examples of how you know, keep away from sweeping statements. "I love working with children" sounds a lot better than "I am good with kids because my kids are great" IYSWIM

thank you that is a good point - am getting nervous and have been out of workforce so long am not sure anymore what would be acceptable.

You should deconstruct the reasons why you think others have made those comments. Why do YOU think you kids are well behaved?

Are you good with boundaries? Firm but fair?

Are you good when they get a bit stroppy? Distraction techniques etc - have a few examples up your sleeve to illustrate your point.

Have you ever had to look after a group of more than 3 or 4 kids? How did you deal with that?

Do you read voraciously with your kids? Do you therefore have a good graps of what can capture a childs imagination in 2009?

Are you a good communicator? Examples?

Are you a team player? Think of reasons why you think you'd be a good "wing woman" to a teacher. Are you perceptive - could you pick up on things that might not easily be spoken across a classroom?

Can you think on your feet/on your own initiative.

Imagine they might put a scenario to you like "the teacher has an accident and needs urgent medical attention - the kids are all a bit distressed and upset once she's been taken away. What would you do to calm them down and get back to business as usual until a support teacher came to relieve you" etc etc.

Good luck!

Have you got a job description of some kind? If you have, and it lists "desirable/essential qualities" or something like that, then think of examples for each point. They often want you to be numerate and literate (quite important ) so examples could include exams passed, or home budgeting, and with literacy going on and on about how important reading is etc. is usually a good way to go. IT will probably be on it too so you can say you are a regular internet user and e.g. have taught your DCs to use a computer.

There will be loads of experiences you have which are relevant, the important thing is to link your abilities and experiences to the relevant question IYSWIM

Did that make any sense?

thank you so much Sycamoretree and Youknownothing... that is brilliant .

Good luck with the interview

Just be enthusiastic and friendly and have an answer for everything!