25 Most Common Teacher
Interview Questions [1–10]
These teacher interview questions and answers will make the interviewers ask you a
question:
“When can you start?”
They cover popular high school interview questions, special education teacher interview
questions, substitute or assistant teacher interview questions, and more.
1. Why do you want to be a teacher?
“Why did you become a teacher?” is the most common of all interview questions for
teachers.
Administrators want to know you’re motivated to work through inevitable frustrations.
And believe me, they’ve heard every generic answer in the books.
“Because I want to help people” won’t work. Find something specific that shows you’re
motivated like no other.
Example Answer
I had trouble reading as a child My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Paulette,
introduced us to an amazing list of short stories and books. She read to us
and worked with us on reading comprehension. Her care switched on an
unquenchable thirst that led me to read thousands of books on topics as
diverse as history, biology, sociology, and nature. Mrs. Paulette’s attention
forever changed my outlook on life. Since then, I’ve known I wanted to do
exactly what she did—to give children tools to last for their entire lives.
2. What is your teaching philosophy?
Teacher interview questions like this ask, “Are you a good fit for our school?” It’s the
teaching equivalent of “tell me about yourself.”
But—
Don’t answer elementary teacher interview questions for an unstructured school with, “I
believe in structured learning.”
Take the time to learn the school’s philosophy before the interview.
Example Answer
I believe in teaching to each student’s passion. For instance, in one
kindergarten class, my students had trouble with punctuation. I observed that
one student, Mary, suddenly got excited about apostrophes. I fueled her
passion with a big book on punctuation. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and
soon the entire class was asking bright and animated questions. Whenever
possible, I try to deliver structured lessons in an unstructured way like this.
That answer uses the S.T.A.R. approach to teaching interview questions. It shows a
Situation, a Task, an Action, and a Result.
3. How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most
helpful to them?
This is another of those interview questions for teachers that depends on the school’s
philosophy.
One administrator might think it’s crucial to know every detail. Another might say, “A
doctor doesn’t need to know her patient’s favorite ice cream flavor.”
Be honest, but find common ground, as in this teaching interview questions answer:
Example Answer
I need to know a student’s learning styles, passions, and challenges. One
difficult student, Tim, was disruptive in class. I joined him on the playground
on and off. It turned out he was being bullied after school by his brother’s
friends. I spoke with Tim’s parents, and they had no idea. Tim became my
star student, and as a result, my whole class got quieter and easier to teach.
How to Prepare for a Teaching Interview:
Research the school online and talk to teachers. Learn their challenges.
Brainstorm times you’ve solved problems like theirs.
Practice sample teacher interview questions. Write up your answers and drill
with 3x5 cards. When possible, describe a problem you once faced, an action
you took, and a positive result for your school or student(s).
Gather materials like a lesson plan, Praxis scores, and transcripts. Include
images as proof of your accomplishments.
4. Why do you want to work for our school district?
Administrators want to know if you really want this job.
So—find things you love about the school.
Talk to teachers who work there. Check out the school’s website, mission statement,
and “About Us” page.
Finally, take some time to think of how you fit.
Example Answer
I respect Snowy Peaks High’s belief in teaching to the whole child. Your focus
on academics, character, community, and nature fit perfectly with my own
philosophy. It’s easier to teach well-rounded students. The best lesson plan in
the world can’t help a child who’s struggling in all other areas of life.
5. How can you help our school/students?
Teacher interview questions like this don’t have to make you blink.
Remember:
Take the time to learn the school’s needs first.
The example below is for a school with a high percentage of disruptive students.
Example Answer
I’ve talked to several of your teachers and heard about their challenges with
classroom management. My own classroom management skills are highly
developed. I’ve taken 18 continuing education credits in class management
from the University of Phoenix’s online program. I was commended at my last
school after fully engaging a class with over 25% disruptive students. I used a
mix of nonverbal cues, transition cues, timeouts, and several other kernel-
based strategies. I believe I can be just as effective here.
6. What do you find most frustrating about teaching?
Teaching interview questions like this attempt to see if you are easily discouraged.
So—your answer has to show your inner strength.
Example Answer
I get very frustrated with bright kids who become overconfident and don’t
apply themselves. There’s nothing sadder or more common than wasted
potential. At my last position, I worked with several children who weren’t
trying. I implemented a research-based program to incorporate student ideas
into the lesson plan. The addition of their thoughts created more complete
engagement. Test scores went up 15% in just two months.
Pro Tip: Teaching is frustrating. Many common interview questions for teachers focus
on that pain. Don’t minimize it. Instead, explain your skills at working through it.
7. Why should we hire you to teach here?
This is the teacher interview questions equivalent of the old standby, “Why should we
hire you?”
The example answer below is for a school that wants technology in the curriculum.
Example Answer
I’m well aware of your new technology initiative. We were tasked with the
same challenge at my last school. Thanks to my strong tech background, I
was able to add online quizzes easily. The students loved them, and they cut
administrative processing by 25%.
8. How would you get your classroom ready for the first day of school?
This and similar teacher interview questions look at your preparedness.
First steps create a first impression. Your plan for first steps says a lot about your
teaching skills.
Example Answer
I want my classroom to be welcoming and nurturing. I also make the ground
rules obvious. A welcome sign and labeled desks help students feel at home
from day one. Engaging posters and other visual aids help create a sense of
excitement. Beyond fun, a large list of rules and consequences at the front of
the room helps the class start on the right foot.
9. Why do we teach (science, math, French, etc.) in school?
Why does your subject matter to you?
If you say, “So they can get good jobs,” you’ll flunk common interview questions for
teachers like this.
Think why you care about the subject at a gut level.
Example Answer
I’ve always believed our future depends on regular people using science in
day-to-day decisions. Science is at the core of a sense of wonder for our
natural world. That wonder can drive students to improve their learning skills.
It can take them places they never thought they’d go.
Bring a lesson plan, transcripts, and Praxis scores. Be ready to answer a question
about teaching philosophy. Be familiar with newest lingo, assessments instead of tests,
and the use of rubrics to correct assignments
Paula Bean
H.S. Teacher
10. How do you evaluate your students?
Common teacher interview questions like this examine how you measure your
performance.
As usual, avoid generic answers. Cite an accomplishment and how it helped your
students.
Example Answer
I evaluate students with formal and informal methods, including quizzes and
tests. I also grade in-class activities like reports, recitations, desk work, and
group activities. One student, Terry, showed a strong grasp of concepts
during in-class activities, but performed poorly during testing. Through
working closely with him, I uncovered an undiagnosed vision problem. Terry
got corrective lenses and his test scores rose to match his in-class
comprehension.
50 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
December 24, 2020
Interviewing is an important step in the job search process. For teachers, interviews are
especially critical because the position requires strong presentation and interpersonal
skills which can be difficult to measure outside of a face-to-face meeting. However,
even teachers who are comfortable with public speaking can find interviews stressful.
Thoughtful planning for your next interview can help you feel confident and prepared.
Interviewers often tailor questions to their institution, so it is wise to consider your
answers to these common questions and how they may apply to your potential school
or position.
Teacher interview questions
To help you prepare, we’ve compiled lists of common interview questions asked during
teacher interviews:
Most common teacher interview questions
General teaching interview questions
Questions about teaching experience and background
In-depth teacher interview questions
Use our example questions and answers below for inspiration and direction to succeed
in your next interview.
Related: 21 Job Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression
Most common teacher interview questions
Here are some common interview questions for teachers, as well as advice on how to
answer them with example answers. Remember that the interviewer is interested not
only in the content of your answers but also, in your overall ability to be clear,
approachable and engaging:
1. Why do you want to teach?
When you're asked this question during an interview, you'll have an opportunity to
discuss your dedication to teaching. Every teacher will have their own reasons for
entering this profession, so feel free to provide personal anecdotes in your answer.
Make sure to explain your passion for teaching and any person or experience that
inspired you to enter the profession.
Example answer: “I became a teacher because of my high school algebra teacher’s
impact on my life. Math doesn’t come naturally to me, but she took the time not only to
explain the material in a way that made sense to me but also helped me understand
that every form of intelligence is equally valuable. There’s no job more important than
teaching the future leaders of our world the information they need to know, but more
importantly, showing them their worth, their potential, and their ability to form their own
opinions by thinking critically and observing the world around them.”
2. What makes you a good fit for this school?
This question reveals whether you researched the school and district. If you're
wondering how to prepare for a teaching interview, conducting thorough research about
the student body, how the community views the school, test scores and other aspects of
the school district shows you're serious about the position.
When answering this question, be sure to demonstrate your knowledge of both the
school and its district. Explain why this information compels your interest in the
institution. A strong answer could include information about recent test scores, specific
programs or awards earned by the school.
Example answer: “I am inspired by this school’s reputation for educational excellence
and for encouraging creativity through its renowned arts program. I note there has been
a dip in the AP test scores in recent years, so I am extremely motivated to introduce my
teaching strategies. I feel confident that I could help students improve their scores and
opportunities for success.”
3. What characteristics do students want their teachers to possess?
Every teacher has a unique way of teaching, but different students thrive under different
teaching styles, so it is vital that a teacher be adaptable. A good answer explains what
characteristics you think are most important for a teacher to possess, how these traits
benefit students and how you cultivate those qualities in yourself.
Example answer: “I believe that students want their teachers to be dedicated and
approachable, and they can tell when a teacher doesn't possess these qualities. If
students know you're working hard and want to support them as they learn, they're
more likely to succeed. For this reason, I keep an open-door policy at all times and
strive to build rapport with each student.”
Related: Learning Styles for Career Development
4. How does a teacher's personality affect their success?
This allows you to express your vision of success and the tools needed to achieve it. A
good answer would describe some of the personal qualities teachers need to succeed,
as well as some of the obstacles to success they must overcome.
Example answer: “Teachers need to have flexibility, compassion, self-discipline, drive
and patience to reach their students. Teachers also need to consider state and local
testing objectives when devising lesson plans and making sure students understand the
materials on which they'll be tested. Teachers must be able to alter their styles so that
every one of their students can learn effectively.”
5. What role does discipline play in teaching and what is your approach?
Teachers will have to handle issues with discipline from time to time, and how discipline
is addressed is an especially important aspect of teacher interview questions and
answers in elementary teaching. Discipline is a vital part of controlling a classroom and
depends on the age of the students, district policies and teaching style. To answer this
question, you should carefully describe your approach to discipline and how handling
discipline correctly can affect the classroom.
Example answer: “I believe that a teacher can't be effective without the right
disciplinary approach. I prefer to explain what's expected of my students, so they're set
up for success. Without discipline, there won't be respect, and keeping students
accountable may be difficult. After researching several methods, I’ve found that a
rewards system is the best method for avoiding bad behavior. While there are certainly
still cases that need to be addressed with the school’s behavior program, using rewards
enforces positive behavior and gives children a goal to strive for.”
6. How do you incorporate parents/guardians into students' education?
You may be asked this question to determine how you would facilitate relationships with
the parents of students. Parents are vital to their child's educational success, and
teachers must communicate with parents in a clear and effective way. A good answer
will emphasize a parent's role in their child's education and will explain how you plan to
involve parents.
Example answer: “A child's education depends on the support of his or her parents. I
believe that engaging with parents and making sure that they have an active role in
their child's success is vital. I give parents my contact information so they can get in
touch and ask any questions they have about how their child is performing. I also
provide updates about what my students have learned and accomplished.”
7. Have your lesson plans been affected by Common Core standards or
standards at the local and state levels?
Preparing for standardized testing is a crucial part of the teaching profession, especially
for those in public education. When answering this question you should describe how
you incorporated different standards into your lesson plan, as well as how you develop
a robust curriculum that isn't based on the standards alone.
Example answer: “You must take standards into account when developing a
curriculum. Successfully structuring a school year depends on effectively planning a
curriculum and regularly assessing students. My approach is to develop my lessons by
building them around educational standards, but I don't only teach with the testing in
mind. My lesson plans include more information than just what the students need to
know for the standardized test. Regular assessments let me gauge how well my
students understand the material, and I use my curriculum to make sure my students
have acquired the skills that they'll need for the test.”
8. What do you believe is the place for technology in the classroom?
Many teachers now incorporate technology into their lessons. Your answer to this
question should explain your thoughts on technology and how that translates to your
teaching. Many teachers aim to use available technology without letting it take over the
classroom.
Example answer: “I think that technology in the classroom can be a valuable tool in
helping students learn. That being said, technology can also be distracting, so setting
expectations for appropriately using tech is critical. Students should be able to use the
technology for learning as well as to learn basic skills, so I give them assignments that
require advanced use of the technology to complete the work. For example, I may
include formatting requirements with their writing assignments, so they're progressively
learning to format throughout the year. This allows the students to become more
comfortable with different platforms and sets them up for success in their future
workplace.”
9. Tell me about your teaching philosophy.
It is common for employers to inquire about your teaching methods and philosophies to
understand whether you’d be a good culture fit for their school. Many schools may
already have established ways of teaching, and it's important that you express your
openness and confidence in your own cultivated opinions about the best ways to teach.
Example answer: “My teaching philosophy is to make my lesson plans relatable. In
many cases, when a student can’t identify with the material, it’s harder for them to
gather meaning. As a literature teacher, my goal is to help students empathize with
characters, places and concepts, especially when those things are different from their
own life experiences. As a student, I found stories more memorable when my teachers
helped me draw parallels. As a student teacher, I like to make comparisons between
older texts, like Shakespeare and modern events. For example, comparing events in
the plays to events in pop culture. This not only helps students understand the stories
but also helps them draw their own conclusions.”
Read more: Interview Question: "What Is Your Teaching Philosophy?"
10. How would your past students, peers or administrators describe
you?
This question is used to learn more about your personality and self-awareness.
Employers may compare your answer to how your references described you. A
thorough and thoughtful answer can show strong interpersonal skills and
perceptiveness. Use anecdotes and examples from your experience to support your
answer.
Example answer: My peers and students would describe me as encouraging, creative
and inspiring. I love planning fun activities for my classroom and involving other
classrooms as well. For example, last year I organized “Pi day” on March 14th (3/14) for
the whole 6th grade class. I planned scavenger hunts, relay races and trivia all based
around math. It was great to see all the students work together, have fun and learn.
11. What questions do you have for us?
This question is typically asked at the end of the interview and is a critical part of the
interview. Asking thoughtful and researched questions shows your interest in the
position and supports a memorable final impression. Come prepared to the interview
with five to ten questions, and jot down or make a mental note of any new questions
that arise throughout the interview.
Example questions: How would you describe the culture of the school? What qualities
do you look for in a candidate? What are some of the school’s greatest achievements?
What extracurricular activities are offered to students?
Additional teacher interview questions
In addition to the commonly-asked questions below, you may also be asked a variety of
questions specific to the values, mission and challenges of the school you’re applying
for. Below, we’ve generated a long list of questions by category including general,
experience and background and in-depth to help you prepare.
General teaching interview questions
These questions help an interviewer understand your personality, interest in the position
and background:
What is your educational background? What was the most rewarding part of attending
that particular school?
What are you currently reading for enjoyment?
What do you want to be doing in five years?
List five adjectives to describe yourself.
What is one of your weaknesses, and what are you doing to improve it?
What are your interests or hobbies outside of the classroom?
What teams, clubs or extracurricular activities were you involved in while you were in
school?
What activities would you consider coaching or advising as part of the teaching staff?
Why do you want to teach at this particular level or this particular subject?
What strengths do you have that help your teaching career?
What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
What is your least favorite subject, and how do you approach it to ensure that you
teach it well?
Related: Complete Guide for What to Wear to a Teacher Interview
Questions about teaching experience and background
These questions help an interviewer evaluate your qualifications for the position and
whether your values match with those of the institution:
What do you like most about teaching?
What do you dislike most about teaching?
What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing today’s education system?
Describe your teaching style.
How would you organize this classroom?
How do you manage your teaching duties?
What is the greatest success you've had with teaching?
What do you think is the greatest challenge facing students today?
What is the greatest challenge facing teachers today?
What qualities make a great teacher?
Describe your worst teaching day. What did you learn from the experience?
How do you motivate your students to become active learners in your classroom?
Related: 16 Teacher Interview Tips
In-depth teacher interview questions
These questions help an interviewer gain a more specific understanding of your
teaching style, goals and problem-solving skills.
Describe a troubling student you've taught and what you've done to get through to them.
Describe your professional development experience.
Explain your experience with a particular teaching strategy or technology.
What plans do you have to integrate technology into your classroom?
What experience have you had with team-teaching? Did you find it helpful?
How will you approach different learning styles?
How will you encourage your students to express their creativity?
How will you modify your teaching to help students who are struggling with the subject or
learning level?
How will you support students with exceptional learning ability?
How would you approach a student who refuses to participate or who misses school
often?
If the majority of your class failed a test, project or assignment, what would you do?
What would you like your students to take from their learning experience with you?
How would you initiate and maintain communication with your students' parents?
What would you do to help a student with consistent behavioral problems?
What could a visitor to your class expect to see?
What do you hope to learn from your mentor?
How would you leverage resources in the community to enhance your teaching?
Why should we choose you for this position?
Related: Top 5 Common Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
What employers are looking for in teacher candidates
While different employers will seek out different qualities in candidates based on the
school and opening, there are three main things hiring managers are typically seeking in
their candidates:
1. Skills fit
Employers will likely first ensure you’ve got the basic skills and certifications to meet
their needs. Depending on the opening, they may also be looking for teachers with
specific specialties or technical skills such as bilingual teaching experience.
2. Qualities fit
Most employers should also ensure you’ve got the right personal traits and qualities that
will make for a successful student-teacher relationship. This may include qualities such
as dependability, responsibility, innovation, creativity, patience or adaptability.
3. Culture fit
Every school is different and likely has different requirements for teaching methods and
philosophies. Many will likely seek to understand your own methods and whether they
align with that of the schools based on the needs of the students.
Tips to prepare for a teacher interview
While every school, employer and interview are different, there are a few additional
steps you can take to set yourself up for success amongst the candidate pool:
1. Do your research
Carefully review the websites of both the school and the school district to ensure you
can speak to their mission, methods and values if they align with your own. Doing so
may also surface the pain points of the school so you can include ways you might help
address them. You should also research their social media presence and also any
available information on their active leadership.
2. Ask for informational interviews with contacts
As a teacher, you may have contacts at the school you’re interviewing with from school
or educational groups. If they’re willing, it may help to sit down with them to ask
questions about the school and seek advice about how to approach the interview. You
might also learn about whether you feel the school would be a good fit for you as well.
3. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the employer
Doing so shows your passion for the position and your preparation for the interview.
These questions can also help you determine whether your core values align with those
of the school's administration. You may want to consider asking about what kind of
support you can expect in terms of mentoring or training.
4. Follow up
Following up after the interview by thanking your interviewers for their time is a best
practice in any job that can help you leave a positive and lasting impression. Be sure to
express both your gratitude and your excitement for the role.
Related: 32 Questions to Ask Your Interviewer in a Teacher Interview
There will always be differences in methods, expectations and practices from one
school to another. Understanding the school’s mission and values will help you decide if
it is the right workplace for you.
