Teacher Education 60 Second Commercial

Use this strategy to answer the interview question “Tell me about yourself”, to introduce yourself at an education career fair, to network at a professional event or to mingle at a party.

The 60 Second Commercial is an advertisement of yourself.  Be sure to keep it career-related and avoid personal information (where you were born, what your parents do for a living, number of siblings, etc.).

For help in creating your own unique 60 Second Commercial, please contact Career Services.   To download a copy of the 60 Second Commercial worksheet, click here. 

The 60 Second Commercial can be easily organized by answering the three following questions:

1. Who are you/Where are you now? 
   This should focus specifically on your college education.  You should not include your high school education.  Include the following information:
   
   • College
   • Location: city and state
   • Graduation date: month and year
   • Degree
   • Major/Minor
   • Emphasis or concentration areas
   • Teaching Certification
2. Where have you been? 
   This should focus specifically on your experience.  Try to focus more on your career-related experiences as these will be most relevant to the employer.   Possible topics to include:
   
   • Student teaching experience
   • Career-related experience
   • Additional work experience
   • Volunteer experience
   • Study or teaching abroad experience
   • Leadership experience
   • Activities
3. Where are you going/How can you be of assistance to their school or district? 
   This should focus on your career objective or future goals.  Make sure you do your homework before the interview and complete adequate research on the position, school and/or district in order to specifically address the needs of that particular school or district and the ways in which your unique skill set will meet those needs.  

60 Second Commercial Example

1. Senior at St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI,  majoring in Elementary Education, minor in Early Childhood Education, certification in Early Childhood/Middle Childhood
2. Student teaching at Westwood Elementary School, international student teaching in Ireland, Assistant Teacher at SNC Children’s Center, 2 year captain of SNC Varsity Track and Field
3. Seeking 3rd grade teaching position at Heritage Elementary School, interest in coaching athletics

“I am currently a senior at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.  I will graduate this May with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, a minor in Early Childhood Education and certification in Early Childhood/Middle Childhood.

Through my student teaching experience at Westwood Elementary School I managed a diverse classroom of 23 3rd grade students and designed and implemented lesson plans for all curriculum areas. I chose to take advantage of the opportunity to complete a portion of my student teaching requirement abroad in Ireland.  This experience helped to improve my sensitivity to other cultural values and customs and exposed me to a different educational system.  Through this experience I quickly learned to adapt to new and challenging situations.  In addition to student teaching I interact with children on a daily basis through my part-time job as an Assistant Teacher at the St. Norbert College Children’s Center, where I assist pre-school children in learning activities and playtime.   

Throughout my four years at St. Norbert College I have been a member of the Varsity Track and Field Team.  My last two years on the team I was selected by teammates and coaches to serve as captain.  This experience taught me to handle multiple responsibilities while successfully managing academics and athletics.   

I am seeking a 3rd grade teaching position at Heritage Elementary School.  I will bring to this position my passion for education, my experience student teaching both here and abroad, as well as strong leadership skills and an interest in coaching athletics.”