Inside Brooke’s Student Hiring Committee

Why did you decide to join the student hiring committee?

Makayla: I joined the student hiring committee because I really love the opportunity of getting to express my own feelings, and it’s a good opportunity to network and just know how to talk to people who are outside of Brooke and also who are older than me.

Adrianna: I was looking for a leadership opportunity inside of school that would give me the resources of learning how to network with people and learn about a resume and how an interview works on the other side. 

Noah: I’m naturally very shy, and for the career path that I want to go into in the future, I know I need to practice speaking to people that I may not have a background with or prior knowledge about. I joined the hiring committee so I could work on that, and in hopes that I could find success in my career in the future.

Maverick: I’m a very charismatic person. Whenever I’m talking to anybody, they’re always saying I talk so much. I’ve always loved having the opportunity to talk to people, and I thought the hiring committee would be a place where I could do that freely and also build my own personal speaking skills.

How do you all prepare before interviewing a candidate?

Adrianna: I’ve recently taken up the habit of looking at the resume and taking notes from that instead of just using the default questions we’re given. I build my questions around the candidate’s experience and skills.

Noah: I also read the resume and ask myself questions about their experience. If someone has taught a subject before, I’ll ask how it was teaching that subject, if they want to teach something different, and if they enjoyed it. So I build questions based on their experience.

What kind of questions do you ask candidates and why are those questions important?

Makayla: One of my main questions is how they handle stress and how they are able to connect with students on a personal level. Those questions are important because we’re at school most of the day, so people who can relate to students and stay organized make the school day easier.

Noah: For me, I ask how they intend to implement what they talk about in the interview into the school environment. I think about how it’s going to impact students, so I want to know how they’ll bring their ideas into action.

Why is it important for students to have a voice in the hiring process?

Noah: At the end of the day, we’re the ones who are going to have the most contact with these teachers. We’ll be with them every day, maybe after school too. So it’s important for us to have a say in who they are and how they’ll support students.

Adrianna: Students provide a different perspective than teachers. We’re constantly moving through different classes and environments, so we understand what students need and experience every day.

Michaela: Having a voice at a young age is very impactful. There are so many people who don’t get the opportunity to speak up, so I feel like I should take that opportunity.

Maverick: Having spaces like this helps bridge the disconnect between students and staff. It creates more connection and positive interaction between both sides.

What skills have you developed from being on the committee?

Adrianna: Resume reading. My resume actually looks a lot better now!

Makayla: Independence and time management, especially with all the tasks like having to read a resume, come up with questions, and more.

Noah: Organization and speaking. I need to make sure I know what I’m talking about before I go into an interview.

Maverick: My speaking has improved a lot. I’m much more confident now. It also helped me think more critically about interviews and what questions I might be asked.

What does this opportunity say about Brooke’s leadership culture?

Makayla: Brooke really focuses on giving students leadership opportunities and preparing us for the future.

Noah: It shows that Brooke cares about students having a voice in who they interact with every day.

Adrianna: It shows that they believe in students and who we choose to have in our classrooms.

Maverick: It gives students opportunities to step into leadership and public speaking that they might not get elsewhere.

What advice do you have for candidates applying to Brooke High School?

Noah: Be open to whatever students may offer. It could be a change where you are coming from, and you should be open to all of it!

Adrianna: Students are very welcoming, and small interactions go a long way.

Makayla: Little interactions can go a long way!

Maverick: Be open to different cultures and perspectives here at Brooke.

In one word, how would you describe your experience on this committee?

Noah: Enjoyable.

Maverick: YOLO.

Adrianna: Insightful.

Makayla: Amazing.