Teacher Interview Questions and Best Answers

Are you a teacher with an interview coming up? Review common teacher
interview questions and examples of the best answers to prepare for your
interview. Plus, find tips for interviewing for a teaching position, questions to
ask during the interview, and information on the salary you can expect to earn
if you get a job offer.
Review this list of questions you might be asked during a teacher job interview,
with examples of the best way to respond to each.
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Why did you decide to become a teacher?
A question about why you chose to become a teacher will no doubt be on your
interviewer's list. Each person will certainly have a different answer to this
question which is to be expected as your career path is a personal one.
Reasons to Become a Teacher
Many teachers discover that their love of children draws them to teaching, or
that their own love of learning makes them passionate about teaching.
Others are inspired by a teacher earlier in their education who had a positive
impact on them. A teacher may be seen as a leader, a mentor or even a
surrogate parental figure.
Describing a Favorite Teacher
This might naturally lead to a related interview question about the best teacher
you ever had, or who your favorite teacher was and why. This question
addresses more than just your chosen career; it also shines a light on how you
function as an employer since a teacher is essentially the first boss or manager
of your work, albeit in an academic environment. Did you respect your teacher
because she was patient and tolerant or perhaps because she took time to
offer you extra help? The interviewer will be interested in your explanation as
to which traits you admired in your teacher because it lends insight into what
kind of management style you prefer and what approach enables you to thrive.
No one ever forgets a meaningful teacher who had an impact on their life. This
is a rather personal question and so your answer should be personal too. This is
also a chance to indirectly slip in some positive qualities and strengths of your
own that you possess as a result of this teacher's guidance.
It's also helpful to provide a personal anecdote. Share stories of how you made
a difference to a child in a classroom or how you successfully taught a
challenging lesson as a result of what you learned from that teacher. Here's an
example:
The best teacher I ever had was my history teacher in high school. I preferred
English and science to history, but she was able to see past the dates and facts
and make the subject come to life beyond the basic curriculum. For instance,
we looked through old newspaper articles about historical events and then
wrote our own blogs as if we were journalists living during that time. I was
inspired by her unconventional techniques and I strive to bring the same
passion for innovative ways to learn to my classroom.
Additional Examples of Best Answers
The assistant principal of my high school was a real inspiration to me, and she
is one of the major reasons I pursued a teaching career. Her ability to guide
students, her fairness, and her sense of justice made me aspire to bring these
things to my own classroom.
While I was student teaching, I had the opportunity to take a student aside to
help him with a particularly difficult math concept that he was having trouble
understanding. When I was able to show him a different way to approach the
problem, and he 'got it', I knew that I had chosen the right field!
What is your teaching philosophy?
Your teaching philosophy is a reflection of your education and classroom
experience, developed during college or graduate school and in the classrooms
where you've taught. It defines your overall approach to teaching and is the
guiding principle behind how you run your classroom. To prepare for your
interview, take the time to focus, write, and reflect on your personal philosophy.
Determining Your Teaching Philosophy
Even if your interviewer doesn't ask you what your philosophy is, you may want
to incorporate it into your interview.
When an interviewer asks if there is anything else you would like to add about
yourself, that would be an appropriate time to highlight your philosophy.
If you don't have a personal teaching philosophy, develop a few key points and
jot them down. Your teaching philosophy should be a self-reflective statement
about your beliefs; discuss how you put your beliefs into practice by providing
examples of how you've put your philosophy into action.
Teaching styles and methods change over time as you mature throughout your
career, so review your philosophy from time to time, update it, and make
changes when necessary. Stick to your beliefs, but also stay open to change
and growth and the need to perhaps adjust your philosophy accordingly in
sync with the needs of the school you're applying to.
Avoid Generic Answers
Ideally, you can express your overall teaching philosophy in a sentence or two,
and then take a couple minutes (or a few paragraphs) to explain it.
Avoid generic and self-evident statements, like "Everybody deserves a chance
to learn." Sure, it's broad and applicable to many classroomsdealing with
economic inequalities, working with a range of students from gifted to those
learning English, and addressing students with behavioral challenges.
Everybody deserve an equal opportunity.
But would anyone argue with that? Is it a unique and personal philosophy?
Hardly. Here are some sample teaching philosophies demonstrating a range of
answers.
Teaching Philosophies: Sample Answers
The Classroom:
I believe the classroom is a living and thriving community--everyone, from the
principal to the students and parents has to work to contribute to and maintain
a positive atmosphere.
Everyone in the classroom contributes as a student, teacher, and thinker. I
learn from students as much as they learn from me.
I respect each person's thoughts and feelings in the classroom--students,
teaching assistants and parents.
Learning:
Give students choices rather than directives and they will feel empowered to
learn.
All students are individual and everyone learns in their own unique way.
Learning is a lifelong process and I want to instill that passion in my students.
Teaching:
Teachers should expect great things from everybody, regardless of skill, talent,
ability, or disability.
Teachers should engage with students personally as well as academically. I
respect Whitney Elementary School in Memphis, where teachers walk their 200
kids home after school to get them back safely while gaining additional time to
interact with them outside the classroom.
You can't teach everything to everyone and true learning requires many
different types of knowledge. I use multiple methods of teaching (linguistic,
visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to speak to students.
What type of classroom management structure would you implement
if you were hired?
When you are applying for a teaching position, a typical job interview question
is "What type of classroom management structure would you implement if you
were hired?" If you have teaching experience, this question should be easy to
answer, since you implement classroom management every day you teach. If
youre looking for your first teaching job, then you need to do some research,
starting with the school and district you are interviewing with.
Learn the School's Policies and Procedures
Become familiar with the school district's philosophies on classroom
management and discipline. While teachers often have the freedom to develop
their own personal classroom management style, most districts have clearly
specified consequences to student misbehavior. A good response to the
interview question will demonstrate your knowledge of the schools or districts
disciplinary procedures and how you plan to incorporate them into your own
classroom management style.
If you were unable to find out much about the schools disciplinary policy
beforehand, ask your interviewer how the administration supports teachers if a
student gets out of hand. This will also give you a clue if the schools support
system will work with your classroom management style.
Define Your Personal Philosophy
The interviewer will want to hear your personal philosophy or strategy for
classroom management.
Most leading education organizations recommend some combination of
assertiveness and flexibility, allowing students some freedoms while also
establishing boundaries. Your strategy on classroom management might
include using encouraging positive classroom behaviors, emphasizing equitable
interactions with students, being aware of high-needs students, engaging in
appropriate levels of cooperative behavior and establishing clear learning
goals.
Share Specific Examples
The best way to illustrate your classroom management style is to describe
specific examples from your past experience. Even if this interview is for your
first teaching position, you likely have experience as a student teacher, and
you should draw on that for examples. Its okay to say you plan to follow your
mentor teachers approach.
Sample answers might include redirecting the student, involving students by
agreeing on a set of classroom rules together as a class, having students sign a
learning contract that they help create at the beginning of the year, listening to
a student in a one-on-one meeting, mediating issues between students, and
involving parents in the disciplinary process.
When you give personal examples of your method, be sure to describe how it
worked well for you. Heres one example:
In my first grade classroom, I implemented a system where the students were
each given a clip on a chart. At each infraction, the students would move their
clip along a progression of colors. The disciplines ranged from a warning, losing
half of recess and losing all recess to a call home or a visit to the principal's
office. I made very few phone calls!
How have you used, or how will you use, technology in the classroom?
When you are applying for a teaching position a typical job interview question
is "How have you used, or how will you use, technology in the classroom?"
With all of the new forms of technology available, schools are eager to
incorporate it into their classrooms whenever possible. It's important to assure
your interviewer that you are familiar with and enthusiastic about using
available technology.
In addition, note that you are always looking to research new technologies to
implement in your classroom, as they become available.
Make a List of Technology You Have Used in the Classroom or at
School
Review the past five years at work. What did you use and how did you use it?
-Platforms: Tablets, desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile devices
-Software: Software packages (such as Microsoft Office), programs, apps
-Display Devices: smart boards, video displays
-Video: Cameras, video recorders, video editing devices and applications.
-Audio: Microphones, speakers, mixers, amplifiers, recording devices, audio
editing devices and applications.
What Technology Do You Use at Home?
Discuss how you use technology at home and in your personal life. What social
media do you use? Do you use a fitness tracker? Are there apps or games you
enjoy? How might familiarity with these translate into future technology in the
classroom? If your previous schools had little technology in the classroom,
showing that you use it at home can be a positive response.
Did you teach your children, spouse, parents or grandparents how to use
technology?
What Technology Did You Use at Non-Classroom Jobs?
Be able to discuss how you used computers and other technology in jobs that
were not in education. You may have used tablets and mobile devices in paid or
volunteer jobs.
Have examples of how you found them useful for performing the jobs or how
you coached co-workers in using them.
Provide Example of Technology You Used
Provide the interviewer with examples of what technologies you have used in
the past:
-I was lucky to have one of the first 'Smart Boards' in my classroom. The
children were immediately engaged, and eager to explore the possibilities
being offered. We learned together just what an amazing teaching tool it could
be.
-We used tablets in my last class and the students used apps to enhance their
lessons.
-I taught a class that created a blog and a wiki, with all of the students
contributing. Students that were reluctant to speak in class blossomed when
they were able to write their entries.
-One of my classes developed a podcast to share with other students and their
families.
-We connected to guests via Skype for interviews. The students asking
questions and getting answers from experts who were far away or too busy to
come to class in person.
-I use a personal computer or tablet to develop and organize my lesson plans.
Do you have any questions for me?
When you are interviewing for a job as a teacher, you will most likely get the
inevitable question, So, what questions do you have for me? You want to be
prepared with thoughtful questions. The right questions will do two things: they
will show youre interested in the job, and they will help you decide if you are a
good fit for the job and the school.
Read below for advice on how to ask the right questions, and example
questions.
Tips for Asking an Interviewer Questions About a Teaching Job
Make a list ahead of time. Prepare a list of questions before arriving at the
interview. This will prepare you for the inevitable question, Do you have any
questions for me? Check out this list of the top 10 questions to ask an
interviewer if you are having trouble coming up with questions.
Ask about the school culture. One topic you will want to ask questions about is
the school culture. You want to make sure you and the school are a good fit for
each other. Asking questions about how the teachers interact with each other,
what a typical day for a teacher is like, or other questions about the school
environment, will help you decide if the school is a good fit for you.
Avoid obvious questions. Make sure you research the school before asking
questions, so you avoid asking anything that is clearly mentioned on the
website. You want to show you have done your homework, so avoid asking any
obvious questions.
Dont put yourself ahead of employer. Avoid any questions about what you will
get out of the job, including your salary, benefits, and time off. Dont ask for
any special favors, such as extra days off, or a late start date. You do not want
to focus on yourself, but instead, focus on whether or not you and the school
are a great fit.
You will have time to ask these questions later, if you are offered the job.
Ask about multiple topics. Do not focus too much on one topic; focusing on one
topic will make the interviewer think you are particularly nervous about that
issue. For example, if you ask only questions about the discipline structure in
the school, the employer might think you are unsure of your classroom
management skills. Ask questions about a variety of issues to show that you
are trying to better understand the school as a whole.
Questions to Ask the Interviewer for Teaching Jobs
Questions about the job opening
-Why is this position open?
-Can you tell me some of the qualities you are looking for in a teacher for this
position?
-What is a typical day like for a teacher in this position?
Questions about support
-Do you have a mentoring program for new teachers?
-How supportive is the district of continuing education for faculty?
-How is the culture between teachers at the school? Are there opportunities for
professional and social interaction among colleagues?
Questions about the students and the classroom
-How many students are in an average class?
-How would you describe the student population?
-What types of technology are available in your classrooms?
Questions about the school
-What are some of the challenges facing your school this year?
-What are some of the goals you have for the school this year?
-What are some of the goals for the district this year?
-What are some of the challenges the district faces moving forward from this
point?
-What do you think are the school's greatest strengths?
-Do you feel that there are areas in your school that need improvement?
Questions about the community
-Do you have an active PTA group?
-Do you find a lot of support for your school coming from the community at
large?
Questions about discipline
-What type of school discipline plan do you have in place?
-What type of anti-bullying measures are you taking in the school? In the
district?
More questions you may be asked:
-What interests you about our district?
-How would you deal with a student who is habitually late?
-What would you say to an angry parent about their childs grade?
-Would you be interested in leading any after-school activities?
-What would you do if you suspected neglect or abuse in the home of one of
your students?
-If you noticed a child being bullied in your class, how would you deal with the
situation?
-How would you engage a reluctant student?
Tips for Answering Teaching Job Interview Questions
What can you do to ensure your candidacy gets careful consideration for a
teaching job?
During your interview, you'll need to do more than just give generic responses
to the questions you're asked. The best candidate will be able to explain how
they are qualified for the job, and why they would be a good fit for the school.
It makes it much easier for a hiring manager to make a decision when the
applicant spells out why they would be a great hire for the school.
Make it personal. Take the time to personalize your responses to interview
questions. Your answers should display your background, skills, and experience
and also what the employer is seeking in a candidate.
Be prepared to discuss why you are interested in the job, your teaching
qualifications and credentials, your teaching and classroom management
philosophies, and how you handle a challenge. Share your enthusiasm for
working with students and examples of how you would teach your class.
As well, draw attention to your relevant skills. Here is a list of the teaching skills
interviewers are most interested in of course, communication, organization,
and critical thinking are high on the list of desired qualities.
Make a match. Take the time to match your qualifications to the job
description. Make a list of the job requirements and a list of your experiences
that match them. Use your list as a guideline for responding to questions about
your background.
Provide examples. The interviewer will likely ask you behavioral interview
questions. These questions require you to provide an example of a time when
you did something. For example, an interviewer might say, Tell me about a
time you handled a behavioral issue with a student.
These kinds of questions require you to think of examples from past teaching
experiences. To answer these questions, describe the specific example you are
thinking of (it helps to think of examples in advance).
Explain the situation and what you did to either solve a problem or achieve
success. Then, describe the result.
Even if the question is not a behavioral interview question, it is often helpful to
provide a specific example. For instance, situational interview questions ask
you to consider a possible future situation at work. An interviewer might ask,
How would you handle a parent who thinks you graded his child unfairly?
Although these are about future situations, you can still answer with an
example from a past experience.
Research the school. Research the school district and the school where you
will be working if you get hired.
Youll be able to find plenty of information about the district and the school on
the school districts website.
Do you know any teachers who work there, or do you know any parents of
students that attend the school?
Ask them for their insights into the job. The more familiar you are with the
academics, extra-curricular activities, sports, students profiles, and the
curriculum, the better equipped youll be to respond to your interview
questions.
Be prepared for a panel interview. When you interview for a teaching job,
you may be expected to interview with a variety of different constituents. You
could interview with a panel, which could include the school principal,
administrative staff, other teachers, and parents. Or, the interview could be
with a search committee charged with screening applicants prior to a formal
interview for the job.
You might also be asked to teach a mini lesson to a group of students, or
teachers pretending to be students, during your interview. Be sure that you
know exactly what you need to prepare for each interview.