8 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Why did you become a teacher?

This question allows for the candidate to explain

their decision to get into teaching. Each answer
will be unique to the individual and will give
insight into their motivation for choosing the
career path that they have. “I decided to become
a teacher because of my high school Philosophy
teacher Mr. Holtkamp. His students really
responded to his teaching style and it
completely changed the way that I saw the
world. He treated us like mature and intelligent
individuals and was able to impart his passion
for the subject matter into the curriculum. He
provided a framework for the students to lead
discussions and critical analysis of abstract
philosophical and existential questions that
really engaged all of us. He was a fantastic
teacher and inspired me to pursue teaching.”

Why do you want to work at this school?

This question is designed to see if the candidate

has done their homework on the particular
school and school district. Before interviewing,
it is critical that the applicant prepare to ask and
answer questions relating to the reputation,
students, scores, etc. of the school or school
district. “I would like to work at Santa
Margarita because of the excellent reputation it
has for academics, athletics, and quality of
education. Students are challenged to push
themselves and the abundance of AP and IB
classes show that the school gives them the
opportunity to succeed. It is also well known
that the parents are active in their children’s
education and I believe that is one of the most
critical aspects of a successful education. It is
also well known that the teachers here are
passionate about what they teach and it shows
with performance and test scores.”

What kinds of qualities do students look for in

teachers?

This question evaluates the candidate's ability to

see themselves from the perspective of the
student. Everyone has a different teaching style
and students react differently to different styles.
“I think that students look for passion and
credibility and can easily see when one or both
are present or absent. Teachers have different
styles, but the passion and drive of a teacher is
essential. Teaching is a difficult job, but it is
also one of the most important. Students need to
know that you are working hard, expect them to
do the same, and will grade them fairly while
guiding them through the critical thinking
process.”

What personality traits do teachers need to be

successful?

This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to

asses the role and determine what is required for
success. This will allow the candidate to assess
their own requirements as well as those required
by the administration. “I think that teachers need
to have patience, flexibility, and self-discipline
to be successful. Teaching can be difficult and
frustrating, but it is extremely rewarding and it
takes a certain type of individual to excel.
Teachers have to consider state/local testing
objectives when creating lesson plans while
making sure that students are able to master the
subject material beyond what is going to be on a
test. Students also have different methods of
learning and a teacher must be able to adapt
their lessons to ensure that all students are
engaged and able to learn the material.”

How do you approach discipline and what role

does it play in learning?

Teachers routinely deal with discipline issues in

the course of their daily activities. It is
extremely important for a candidate to explain
how they view discipline and what role it plays
in the classroom. Discipline is an important part
of maintaining an effective learning
environment and largely depends on teaching
style, age of students, and district policies. “I
believe that discipline is an important part of the
learning process. I approach it by clearly
explaining what is expected and what the limits
are in my syllabus as well as my initial class
orientation. Discipline is the foundation of
respect in the classroom and accountability from
the students. In my experience, students do not
respond well to forceful discipline. They want a
framework where they agree to the rules, are
respected as individuals, and are held
accountable for their decisions and actions.”

How do you interact with parents?

This question is designed to assess how the

candidate interacts with parents. Parents are an
important part of the learning process and
teachers must have the ability to communicate
with them in a positive way to help the students
be successful. “Parents play a critical role in
supporting their child’s education. I feel that it
is extremely important to engage them and
ensure that a student is set up for success. I
provide contact information for parents and
encourage them to contact me if they have any
questions about their child’s performance or
progress. I believe in sending home periodic
updates about what they children are learning
and what is being accomplished in the
classroom. This way, parents are able to ask
their children how things are going and discuss
the current curriculum and major tests and
projects. I approach parental communication in
a way that puts us all on the same team with the
same goal, which is ensuring the success of the
student.”
How have state, local, or common core
standards affected your lesson planning
process?

Standards and standardized testing is an

important part of teaching. This question
assesses the candidate’s understanding of what
is expected of them, how they plan their
curriculum, and whether or not they will just
“teach the test”. “Standards are clearly an
important focal point for the curriculum. I
believe that thorough curriculum planning and
assessments are the best way to structure the
year and ensure that students cover the required
material. The way that I approach this is to start
with the framework of standards and build my
lessons around them. I do not teach only what
will be assessed in testing, but I make sure that
it is included. Objective performance is an
excellent way to gauge students’ understanding
of the material and my curriculum map allows
me to ensure that the necessary skills are
covered and assessed prior to standardized
testing.”

What do you think of technology in the

classroom and how have you integrated it into
your lessons?

Technology has become commonplace as a

teaching tool in many classrooms. This question
assesses how the candidate utilizes available
technology to help students learn as well as
teaching them basic technological skills. “I
believe that technology in the classroom can be
a valuable asset that helps students learn. I also
think it has the potential to be a distraction and
requires the teacher to have an established plan
for acceptable use. It is important that students
learn how to use technology for education as
well as teaching them basic technological
literacy and I have incorporated it into my
lessons by assigning students tasks that require
more advanced use of technology. For example,
all of my papers must be in MLA format. I teach
the format and the students must learn to adjust
margins, spacing, line breaks, citations, and
other more advanced features of word
processors throughout the year. Not only do
they become experts at the formatting, they also
learn how to manipulate formatting through
repetition and exploration of these features that
they would otherwise not have been exposed to.
This exposure allows the students to get
comfortable with the platform and creates a
foundation that helps them use technology both
inside and outside of the classroom.”
Teacher Interview Questions, Answers, and
Tips
What’s the best way to prepare for a teacher job
interview? Start by asking yourself, “What can I
do to ensure my candidacy gets careful
consideration for a teaching job? How will I
make myself stand out?”

Tips for Answering Teaching Job Interview

Questions
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.

Make It Personal: Take the time to personalize

your responses to interview questions. Include
highlights from your background, skills and
professional experience that are relevant to the
job that you’re applying for. Focus on skills
most relevant to the field.

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.
If you're returning to the classroom after a
career break, be prepared to address the gap in
your experience.

Make a Match: Take a careful look at the job

listing for each position you are applying to. In
addition to emphasizing your skills that are
relevant to teaching in general, you should hone
in on the specific requirements that the
employer has included in the listing. 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, which
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 experienced. To
answer these questions, describe the specific
example you are thinking of. 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. It helps to create a list of anecdotes
you can draw on, focusing on situations where
your action has a clear, positive outcome.

Research the School: Research the school

district and the school where you will be
working if you get hired. You’ll be able to find
plenty of this information on the school
district’s website. Also, if you have a
connection to any teachers who work in the
school, the district, or any parents whose attend
the school, ask them for their insight into the
job. The more familiar you are with the
academics, extra-curricular activities, sports,
student profiles, and the curriculum, the better
equipped you’ll be to ask meaningful questions
and provide nuanced answers to 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 may be required to interview with a panel,

which could include the school principal,
administrative staff, other teachers, and parents.
In some cases, you may need to an interview
with a search committee that is charged with
screening applicants before moving on to a
formal interview for the job.
Teacher Interview Questions and Best Answers

Review this list of questions you might be asked

during a teacher job interview, with examples of
the best way to respond to each.

Questions About You as a Teacher

Share your enthusiasm for teaching, working
with students, and examples of how you would
teach your class. Be prepared to answer
questions about why you are interested in the
job, how you teach different types of learners
within the same class, and how you handle
challenges in the classroom. You should also be
ready to discuss your teaching and classroom
management philosophies.
Why did you decide to become a teacher? - Best
Answers
What is your teaching philosophy? - Best
Answers
What type of classroom management structure
would you implement if you were hired? - Best
Answers
How have you used, or how will you use,
technology in the classroom? - Best Answers
Questions About You as a Learner
The interviewer or hiring committee will want
to know how you personally approach learning,
your teaching qualifications and credentials, any
continuing education you have received, and
how you stay current with technological
advances and new approaches to learning.
What Approach or Strategy Do You Use to
Learn New Information?

Sample Answer: I find I learn new material best

by writing down notes as I read or as I am
listening to someone giving a lecture. The
process of writing down the important details
works in two ways: first, it helps me absorb and
think carefully about the new information and
second, my notes serve as a study guide that I
can reference going forward.

What Continuing Education Classes,

Workshops, Training, Etc. Have You
Attended?
Sample Answer: The district where I worked
previously offered continuing education
opportunities in the evenings throughout the
year. I attended these sessions regularly. I
especially enjoyed the literacy training sessions
that focused on early childhood literature and
teaching strategies. I have also been lucky
enough to attend the yearly Autism Awareness
conference held in New York City for the last
two years. I try to take advantage of any
continuing education opportunities offered to
me.

Questions About You as Part of a Teaching

Team and Classroom Community
Schools want to foster a sense of community
within the school, especially in the classrooms.
You will likely be asked questions about your
ability to work as part of a team of teachers and
administrators, as well as your abilities and
experiences bridging the gap between the
students in the classroom and their families at
home.

What Interests You About Our District?

Sample Answer: As the parent of a 4th grader in
the district, I have experienced firsthand how
warm and welcoming the teachers and
administrators are. The feeling of community
the school district works hard to foster and
maintain is something I have never experienced
in any of the schools I attended or taught in.
Everyone knows my daughter’s name, my
name, and you can tell that everyone in the
school is genuinely happy to be there working
with the students and their families.
A strong sense of community is the key to
providing the best possible education to children
of all ages.

Would You Be Interested in Leading Any After-

School Activities?
Sample Answer: During the summer, I am the
director of a theater camp offered by the art
center in town. I would love to take part in any
drama clubs or performances the children
participate in throughout the year. Or, if there
isn’t a drama club, I’d certainly love to start
one, if that’s something that the school would be
interested in. While theater happens to be my
personal passion, if there are any other activities
that are especially in need of support and that I
might be a good fit for, I’d be willing to help out
however I can.
Questions About Students and Parents
As a way to assess your teaching style and
communication skills, you may be asked about
how you would handle students and parents.

How Would You Deal With a Student Who Is

Habitually Late?
Sample Answer: If a child is coming into school
late on a regular basis, I would first talk with the
child to see if there is anything going on in
school or at home that is causing him or her to
be late. After talking with the child, and
depending on what they share, I would discuss
with my supervisor the best possible approach
to talk to the family about the repeated
tardiness.

How Would You Engage a Reluctant Student?

Sample Answer: If a student seems reluctant to
participate during a specific subject, I would use
my experience working with different types of
learners and adjust my teaching strategies to
engage the student in a way that they feel more
comfortable to participate. This may be by
having the student(s) work with a partner, or
creating my lessons around a topic that the
student may be more likely to be interested in.

What Would You Say to an Angry Parent

About Their Child’s Grade?
Sample Answer: If I have a parent who is upset
about a grade their child received, I would offer
to meet with the parent and provide supporting
evidence of the lessons the child received in
preparation for the assessment. I would then ask
the parent(s) to help me brainstorm ways that
their child may prepare for and perform better
on assessments. For example, I once had a child
who consistently struggled with his weekly
spelling work.

Before his parents contacted me, I reached out

to them after he handed in his second weekly
test incomplete. I asked the parent if we could
think of some strategies the child could use both
in the classroom and at home to improve the
student’s spelling skills. Every situation is
different, of course, but if I am able to offer a
retake of the assessment, I would be more than
happy to do so.

What Would You Do If You Suspected

Neglect or Abuse in the Home of One of Your
Students?
Sample Answer: I take my position as a
mandated reporter very seriously. I am aware of
the district’s daily health check system that
requires early childhood teachers to implement
daily. In my previous position, we also did daily
checks when the children would arrive each
morning. There was one child in my previous
classroom who had odd bruising on both arms
and I was not sure if the bruises were from
rough play with siblings or friends, or from an
adult being physically abusive.

Before I said anything to anyone, I reported

what I saw to the principal who guided me
through the process to determine the cause of
the bruising. Ultimately it was discovered that
the bruises were from the child’s older sibling.
The way my school handled the situation
enabled us to ensure the child was in a safe
situation without falsely accusing or upsetting
the parents.

If You Noticed a Child Being Bullied in Your

Class, How Would You Deal With the
Situation?
Sample Answer: One of the most important
large group activities I do with my class at the
beginning of the year is writing our class rules
together. I make it a big deal; together we come
up with and agree to the rules, and we all sign
the poster in a commitment to do our best to
follow the rules while also helping others to
follow the rules throughout the day. One of the
most important rules on our poster is to not
bully other children.
I use this group activity as an opportunity to talk
about what it means to bully, and what to do if a
student is bullied or they see someone being
bullied. Part of the lesson is making anti-
bullying posters that we hang in our classroom
and in the halls. If I witnessed bullying, I would
talk to all the children involved separately, and I
would also revisit our anti-bullying lesson and
posters with the whole class.

When You're Asked to Teach a Mini-Lesson

Before or after the interview 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, which should be
clearly stated in an email or over the phone,
most likely when you are arranging your
interview date and time.

Your Turn to Ask the Questions

Often at the end of an interview, you will be
asked if you have any questions for the
interviewer. This is when you become the
interviewer and have the chance to ask some
well thought out questions.

Review the list of good questions to ask during

an interview for teaching jobs. It is important
that you come prepared with questions in order
to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position
and your interest in learning more about the
role, the school or the district.
8 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Question 1 - What are your thoughts on

team-teaching?

Question 2 - What are your greatest

strengths?

Question 3 - What is your biggest weakness?

Question 4 - Let's imagine an interview for a

grade one teaching position and the
interviewer asks: "Describe your classroom's
physical appearance."
Question 5 - Why do you want to work for
our school district?

Question 6 - How do you handle classroom

discipline?

Question 7 - How would you describe a

successful principal?

Question 8 - Do you have any questions for

us?

Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Question 1 - What are your thoughts on
team-teaching?
Answer - I am sure many of you have
participated in team-teaching and realize the
benefits of this strategy. The interviewer who
asks this question wants to discover, if you are
flexible, enjoy working in a team environment,
have experience in this area, and what your
viewpoints are on the subject.

It is always wise to speak about some of the

positive aspects of team-teaching, such as:

It is an effective strategy for teaching large

groups of students. Encourages teachers to
collaborate and generate ideas ... two heads are
always better than one! Talk about team-
teaching experiences you have had, and the
positive results that transpired.
If you haven't had any hands-on experience, you
may explain that you enjoy working in a team
setting and are excited about the possibility of
participating in this approach. OR, maybe you
have done some reading on the subject and can
share some of the insights you gained with the
interviewer ... this will definitely be impressive!

Furthermore, it is vitally important to be honest

when answering all questions during the
interview. Organizing your thoughts in advance
will serve to help you deliver truthful and
concise responses, while highlighting the skills
you possess that are most compatible with the
needs of the school or district. If you have been
involved in collabrative team teaching, you will
know there are many challeneges and rewards.
Always speak in a positive tone.
Question 2 - What are your greatest
strengths?

Answer - This question will probably be asked.

Now, if you researched the district/school and
found out what they are looking for in a
candidate, you will be able to focus your
response on that information, keeping in mind it
is important to tell the truth. With every
response you must show your VALUE to the
district. This will also give them an idea on how
you view your talents and skills as a teacher.
Perception is critical... you must be able to
confidently discuss your skills using a
convincing approach.

It is important the answer shows your

hard/tangible skills. For example, classroom
management, curriculum development, or
technology integration. These skills will show
the interviewer(s) what you can do on the job.
Don't stop there, you will set yourself apart from
the pack if you can back up your claims with
actual stories. This will build credibility... it
shows you really are good at what you are
claiming. Tell them about what you have done
to incorporate technology into the classroom
and what was the result. The result part of the
story sells value... and that produces job offers.

Question 3 - What is your biggest weakness?

Answer - Your response could include

something that may have been a challenge in the
past, which you have taken steps to rectify. It is
important to be truthful, they will be testing
your honesty. In addition, they will be checking
to see if you provide a weakness that is critical
to success in the position. For example, the
interview will likely end quickly if you answer
you have a difficult time management the
classroom. The key to answering the question is
to turn a negative into a positive.

I don't suggest using that the traditional

statement, "I'm a perfectionist", it is often
overused, and will tend to sound phony. It is
important you don't get defensive and try to
justify why you are weak in a particular subject
area, such as social studies. This would make a
bad impression, because it may be relevant to
the position that you are seeking. Whatever you
decide to use, ensure it is not one of the key
skills of the position you are seeking. In other
words, don't pinpoint classroom discipline
and/management or subject area if you are
seeking a teaching position.
Think of this question as an opportunity to sell
yourself. Here is an example: You wouldn't say,
"I have a difficult time organizing my day."
Instead, rephrase the answer by saying. "There
are so many creative activities I plan for my
students and class time is limited. It is difficult
to incorporate all of the activities that I would
like my students to learn from. Over time, I
have realized to prioritize what lessons are the
most important to enhance my student learning.
I now realize that I can't do everything I would
like to."

The above example shows you are excited about

designing new and creative lessons for your
students. In their mind, this will not be a
negative. It will position you that much closer to
getting a job offer.
Question 4 - Let's imagine an interview for a
grade one teaching position and the
interviewer asks: "Describe your classroom's
physical appearance." Having prepared
ahead of time, you understand the
interviewer[s] attempt to determine:

Your teaching style,

Your ability to effectively manage the class,
The level and quality of student interaction,
Your teaching philosophy,
Answer - Within this context, you might
respond:
"Upon entering my classroom you will find a
lively and colorful room completely centered
upon children and active learning. Sight words,
the alphabet, numbers, and inspirational quotes
cover the walls while large bulletin boards
proudly display students' work. A large area
contains a carpeted reading or group corner
specifically for storytelling, show-and-tell,
weather discussions and calendar and day-of-
the-week conversations. This classroom
includes an abundance of age appropriate
reading materials and student mailboxes where
children place personal journals, home reading
books and workbooks in the morning and then
collect newsletters or other parent
communication at the end of the day."

NOTE:
Presenting floor plans successfully used in the
past demonstrates strong organization and
preparation skills. Indicate various potential
seating plans used throughout the year and offer
pictures of your old classrooms as a way means
to provide the principal and interviewing board
a first-hand view of your potential
classroom...As the saying goes, "a picture is
worth a thousand words."

Remember, each person's answer will vary

depending upon teaching style and philosophy.
The district representatives will look to see if
your style is compatible with their needs.
Thoroughly researching each specific district
needs will allow you to tailor your answers
which is the key to a successful interview.
Question 5 - Why do you want to work for
our school district?
Answer - Your preparation and research is
imperative to successfully answer this question.
Provide a few reasons why you're interested in
the school or district, and what in particular
sparked your interest. What is your personal
experience with the school or district? What do
you know about its student body, faculty
members, industry reputation, community
involvement, educational goals and objectives,
upcoming initiatives, demographics, or
extracurricular activities? This information will
help you to accurately respond to the above
question. The word accurate is important --
don't answer the questions by using old
information

The interviewer is looking for evidence that you

really know why you want to work there or did
you just send out applications and hope for the
best. This research will also help immensely
when answering other questions throughout the
interview, so plan to dedicate some time and
energy doing this homework. Effective research
will help to tailor your answers, without being
deceiving, to the question above. It is wrong to
tailor your answer with incorrect information -
preparation and honesty is the key to a
successful interview.

Question 6 - How do you handle classroom

discipline?

Answer - For obvious reasons everyone will

have a different answer; it will depend on your
teaching style, grade interviewing for, and past
experiences. The interviewer will be looking to
see if you have a plan, you know how to
implement it, and if you think that discipline is
an important part of the position. What I have
found from coaching clients is they fail to
provide a clear action plan that can be backed
up with examples. Also it is important to find
out what is the philosophy of the school or
district, this will give you some additional
information. A few things to bring up when
answering this question is the following:

It is important to develop ground rules the first

week of class, this allows the students to
understand what is and isn't acceptable
behavior.

These rules are discussed and agreed upon with

the students, this makes the students
accountability and responsible. You may want
to touch on your philosophy of classroom
discipline. This of course would depend on your
style; you will have to be honest with yourself.
But you may believe that you reduce negative
behavior by offering the students a intellectually
stimulating, organized, and respectful
environment.

You will want to get an example of your plan;

use a real situation to show your expertise in
this very important area. Whether you use the
red light/green light, time-outs, or removing the
student from the classroom, it is important that
you can back up why it is effective and use
examples. You will want to explain why you
feel the discipline action is effective and why
you enjoy using it.

It is also important to indicate there are always

two sides to every story, so if the action
involves discipline of two students, you must
listen to both sides. Indicate that you try to get
the students to resolve their own disagreements,
which may involve compromise. And end the
discussion by asking them, "How will you
handle the situation next time?"

Again, you must be honest when answering this

question or any other question during the
interview, but by organizing your thoughts and
stories will make your response concise,
truthful, and show your skills to the district.

Question 7 - How would you describe a

successful principal?

Answer - By asking this question, the hiring

committee is attempting to assess the following:
Do you understand what traits contribute to the
success of a principal. As a teacher, what traits
do you value most.
Your response may indicate or suggest possible
conflicts with the current principal.
Responses to this question may include:

It is important that a successful principal...

has a vision and a plan to reach that

vision...combined with the ability to bring
faculty members together to form a cooperative
team and motivate them to reach district goals
and objectives.
be visible... the principal's presence should be
evident on a continual basis. He or she must be
easily accessible to both students and teachers.
has a great sense of humor, and can relate well
to a diverse group of individuals.
genuinely cares about the students, teachers,
parents, and the district.

Question 8 - Do you have any questions for

us?

Answer - An interview isn't just about

responding to the prospective school district's
questions; it is an opportunity for you to impress
the panel with examples of your foresight
regarding the position they are offering. By
asking good questions at your teaching
interview, you can also determine if the fit is
right, plus it shows interest in the position, and
helps to develop rapport. If you feel
comfortable, and the interviewer seems
cooperative, you may ask questions at
appropriate times throughout the interview.
Once you have been in the interview for a few
minutes, you will start to get a feel for your
comfort level in this regard. If you don't ask
questions during the interview, you will most
likely be given the chance to do so at the end of
the interview. Whether you are a new teacher or
experienced teacher be sure to take advantage of
this great opportunity to show you have
researched the school district.

So what questions should you ask? First, only

ask questions you cannot get answers to through
research, for example, by investigating, you
may easily determine how many students attend
the school -- so, think of a different question to
ask. Be sure you think carefully about what
questions you would like answered ... make
them genuine ... and recognize that it is always
advantageous to ask questions. Remember, don't
try to dominate the interview with your
questions, keep in mind you are the interviewee.
A good idea is to practice asking the questions
you created in front of a mirror the day before
the meeting. Write your questions down on a
professional pad of paper or an index card and
bring them to the interview.

Some suggestions of appropriate questions are

provided here ... ask them only if they are not
addressed in the interview and if you don't have
access to the answers. If the questions are
structured correctly, you will provide yourself
with a further opportunity to sell yourself, for
example; "I am very interested in team sports,
what extracurricular activities are available for
teacher participation?" What does this show the
interviewer? You are a team player and are
willing to participate in extra-curricular
activities.

Other potential questions are:

I have always been successful with getting

parents involved in the classroom, how active
are parents at this school or within the school
district?
I am well-versed at integrating computer
technology into the classroom, what kind of
resources does the school have available?
Do teachers work in teams? If so, how is this
organized?
I consider myself a life-long learner, what
professional development opportunities will be
available?
What is the student/teacher ratio?
I have been instrumental in developing new
programs in previous positions I have held. Will
the school be implementing any new programs
this year, or require input to develop programs
already in place?
Will the school be addressing any major issues
this year?
If you are new to the industry you may ask, "Is
there a mentor teacher program available?"
When do you hope to reach a decision as to who
the successful candidate will be, or what is the
next step in the hiring process?
This is just a sample of the many types of
questions to ask in a teacher interview. Be sure
you don't overwhelm the interviewer with
questions ... three or four questions is usually
sufficient.
Furthermore, it is important to be honest when
answering all questions during the interview, by
organizing your thoughts in advance will serve
you in delivering truthful and concise responses,
while illustrating your skills and compatibility
to the district.

Knowing the many types of teacher interview

questions and their answers can also be pretty
helpful as you can well image. We have created
two ebooks to do just that, the first is A+
Teachers' Interview Edge and the second is A+
Principals' Interview Edge.

Teacher Interview Questions and Suggested

Answers
Key Questions and Target Answers for Teacher
Interviews
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by
Melissa Kelly
Updated May 10, 2018
Teacher interviews can be quite nerve-racking
for both new and veteran teachers alike. One
way to help you to prepare for a teaching
interview is to read through questions such as
these presented here and consider what
interviewers may be looking for in a response.

Of course, you should also be prepare to answer

questions specific to a grade level or content
area such as English Language Arts, math, art,
or science. There may even be a "trick" question
such as, "Do you consider yourself lucky?" or
"If you could invite three people to dinner, who
would you choose?" or even "If you were a tree,
what kind of tree would you be?"
The following questions are more traditional,
and should be used to help you prepare for
general education interview. Whether the
questions are in a one-to-one interview with a
single administrator or posed by a panel of
interviewers, your responses must be clear and
concise. Teaching comes with tremendous
responsibilities at any grade level, and you must
convince the panel that you are ready and
capable of taking on these responsibilities. You
must demonstrate your ability as a teacher to
present information to an interviewer or panel
so that they can visualize you as part of their
teaching team.

If you would like additional information to help

as you prepare for your teaching interview,
check out Top Ten Keys to a Successful
Teaching Job Interview. You might also want to
see what you need to be careful of with Top 12
Interview Mistakes for Teacher Interviews.
More resources
01
of 12
What are your teaching strengths?
This interview question is asked across many
professions and offers you the best opportunity
to present additional information that is not
readily available on a resume or letter of
recommendation.

The key to answering this question about your

teaching strengths is to provide clear examples
of your strengths as they are directly related to
the job. For example, you might suggest your
qualities of patience or your belief that every
student can succeed or your skills at parent
communication, or your familiarity with
technology.

Your strengths may not be immediately

noticeable, so it is important to provide an
example to help an interviewer or panel
visualize a strength.
02
of 12
What could be a weakness for you?
In responding to the question about a weakness,
it is critical to provide the interviewer with a
weakness you have already acknowledged and
you used in order to develop a new strength.

For example:

I found that I was not well-versed in reading

strategies, so I have taken some course work to
improve.
I realized I needed to slow down and spend
more time specifically addressing the directions
on a project so that students would be more
independent.
I was afraid to ask for help until I realized that
the best advice came from the teachers on my
team.
Generally, you should be careful to avoid
spending too much time discussing a weakness
question.

03
of 12
How do you find new ideas for lessons?
The interviewer or panel will be looking for you
to show the knowledge you have and the
willingness you show to access and to utilize
many different sources for content information,
lesson development, and lesson enrichment.

One way to explain where you get your new

ideas can be referencing current educational
publications and/or blogs. Another way to
explain where you may get new ideas is to
reference a lesson that you saw a teacher model
that you think could be used or modified to fit
your particular discipline. Either way will
illustrate your ability to stay on top of current
education trends or your willingness to learn
from fellow teachers.

During an interview, it is important that you do

not say that you would follow the lessons
outlined in a textbook as this would not show
any creativity on your part.

04
of 12
What are methods you might use to teach a
lesson?
The key here is to show your ability to
differentiate for the variety of learners in your
classroom. This means you would need to
summarize your knowledge of varying
instructional techniques as well as your
willingness to use these techniques and your
ability to judge when each is appropriate.

One way to show that you are aware of best

practices of instruction is offer suggestions as to
which method would be most applicable to a
topic or content area (EX: direct instruction,
cooperative learning, debate, discussion,
grouping or simulation) as well as to reference
recent research on effective instructional
strategies.

Make sure to mention the fact that you need to

take the students, their abilities, and their
interests into account as to which instructional
strategies you will use in your lesson plans
designs.

05
of 12
How do you determine if students have learned?
An interviewer or panel wants to see that you
understand the importance of considering your
lesson objectives and how you will evaluate the
students at the end of each lesson or end of unit.
The key is that you recognize that a lesson or
unit plan that relies on measurable results, not
just 'gut instinct'.
You should reference how you will collect
student feedback (EX: quiz, exit slip, or survey)
and how you might use that feedback to drive
instruction in future lessons.

06
of 12
How do you maintain control in your
classroom?
Find out what rules are already in place by
visiting the school website. Be sure to consider
these rules in your response. Your answer
should include specific rules, systems, and
policies that you would set up from day one to
manage the classroom.

You may want to reference specific examples

(EX: cell phone use in class; repeated tardies;
excessive talking) from your own experiences.
Even if your experience was while student
teaching, your familiarity with classroom
management will add credence to your answer.
07
of 12
How can someone tell you are well organized?
For this question, give one of the following as
specific examples of what someone would see
as they walked into your classroom that would
illustrate that you are well organized:

How would the desks be arranged;

How often you put student work on display;
How would students know where materials are;
How would you account for resources (texts,
supplies) given to you.
Be sure also to mention how you would
maintain timely and accurate records on student
performance. Explain how these records could
help you to document student growth.

08
of 12
What books have you read lately?
Choose a couple of books that you can discuss
and try to connect at least one to your teaching
career or education in general. You may want to
reference a specific author or researcher.

Make sure to stay away from any politically

charged books, just in case your interviewer
disagrees with you.

You may also reference any blogs or

educational publication you read after you
provide the titles of books.

09
of 12
Where do you see yourself in five years?
If you are chosen for this position, you will most
likely be provided with training necessary to
help you become familiar with the school's
policies and any technology programs the
school uses. There may be additional
professional development offered during the
school year while you are teaching. That means
the school will be investing in you as a teacher.

The interviewer or panel wants to see that their

investment in you over five years will pay off.
You need to confirm that you do have goals, and
that you are committed to the teaching
profession.

If you are still taking courses, you may also

want to provide that information or plans you
may have for more advanced coursework.

10
of 12
How have you used, or how will you use,
technology in the classroom?
In responding to this question, be sure to note
that the use of technology should support
student learning. You may want to provide
examples of school data programs that you have
used such as Blackboard or Powerteacher. You
may want to explain how you used a software
such as Kahoot or Reading A-Z to support
instruction. You can explain your familiarity
with other education software such as Google
Classroom or Edmodo. You can share how you
connected to families and other stakeholders by
using Class Dojo or Remind.

If you do not use technology in your classroom,

your response should be honest and direct. You
may explain why you have not used technology
in classrooms. For example, you may explain
that you have not had the opportunity, but that
you are willing to learn.

11
of 12
How would you engage a reluctant student?
This question is usually reserved for middle and
high school grade positions. The big answer to
this question is choice. You may want to explain
how you can give students some choice over
what they read or what they write, but still meet
the objectives in the curriculum. For example,
you might explain how many of your
assignments will allow for student choice in
reading using different texts on the same topic,
perhaps a few with different reading levels. You
may also explain that offering students the
ability to choose a topic for a report or allowing
them the opportunity to choose a medium for
the final product can help encourage reluctant
learners.

Another way to motivate students is through

feedback. Meeting with a reluctant student in
one-to-one conferences can give you
information about why they are not motivated in
the first place. Showing interest can help engage
a student at any grade level.

12
of 12
Do you have any questions for us?
You should have one or two prepared questions
specific to the school. These questions should
not about information readily available on the
website (EX: calendar year, number of students
or teachers at a particular grade level).

Try to use this opportunity to ask question to

show your interest in developing your
relationships at the school (extra-curricular
activities available) or about a particular
program.

Avoid asking too many questions or ones that

would give a negative impression (EX: number
of days off).

Teacher Interview Questions & Answers

Teachers are responsible for a classroom full of
students who are there to learn and grow.
Because this job is focused heavily on
education, interviewers will look through your
teaching resume and ask questions designed to
find out whether candidates love working with
children as well as to learn more about their
teaching styles and how those will mesh with
the school's overall objective.

Common Mistakes for Teacher Interviews

Regardless of what question the hiring manager
asks, you should always make sure that your
answer focuses on your goal to benefit the
students. The first question might be to talk a
little bit about yourself. In answering this
question, it is a mistake to divulge too much
personal information about your likes and
dislikes. Most interviewers are trying to get a
sense of what is important to you and what
might be motivating for you to succeed at your
job. However, talking about how your children
are your top priority could make it seem like the
students you teach will come in second. Stick to
information that pertains to the job when you
are asked about yourself.

Teacher Interview Example Answers

If you are applying for a job teaching younger
students, you might be asked what you would
do to prepare your classroom for the first day of
school. Here are some sample answers:

I love to create a classroom in which students

and their parents feel a sense of warmth and a
nurturing atmosphere as soon as they walk into
the room. For me, this includes a welcome sign,
posters that are appropriate for the age I will be
teaching, and labeled desks so that students will
immediately know where to go on their first
day.
When teaching first graders, I believe that
rewards and consequences are vital to
encouraging good behaviour. When my students
can clearly understand the rules of the
classroom, they are more likely to succeed. So I
post a list of the rules along with the
consequences for failing to follow them and the
reward system for following them at the front of
the room for everyone to see.
Some teachers are rigid, which makes it hard for
students to learn. Flexibility is an important trait
that principals might look for in their
candidates, so you might be asked whether you
are flexible when teaching. You might answer
with something like this:

Yes, I am a flexible teacher because I

understand that all students learn in different
ways and at different paces. When teaching, I
make sure that every student has a grasp of the
subject before moving on. I also work with
parents to show them whether their children are
positive when discussing the subjects and what
they are learning each day in the classroom, and
I adapt my lesson plans based on this feedback.
Teachers are vital to the education process, so
teacher interview questions are typically
designed to gain a better understanding of how
you will educate the students in your classroom.
Before heading into the interview, take some
time to think about teacher interview questions
and answers so you will feel prepared and
comfortable answering anything the
interviewers might ask.

3. First, tell us a little bit about yourself.

(Almost every teacher interview begins this
way.)

2. Describe your college experiences?

3. Tell us about your experiences working with

students at this age level.

4. Describe your philosophy of teaching?

5. Why do you want to become a teacher?

6. List three of your strengths your strengths and
explain each one.

7. Describe three of your weaknesses as a

teacher.

8. In what ways do you encourage creativity in

your classroom?

9. Tell us about a lesson in which you’ve used

differentiated instruction.

10. How do you teach kids to utilize higher-

order thinking skills in your classroom?

11. What do you do to prepare your students for

state or standardized tests?

12. Do you make learning fun for students?

How?

13. If I walked into your classroom on a typical

afternoon, what would I see going on?
14. How do you measure student performance in
your classroom?

15. Describe a successful lesson. Tell why it

was successful.
Related Tip: 10 Steps to Better Lesson Plans

16. What would you do if a student wasn’t

handing her homework on a regular basis?

17. How much homework do you give?

Interview Quiz
QuizAre you interviewing for a job in
education? Take the quiz: Are you prepared for
the interview?
18. Besides lecture, what methods of teaching
do you use?

19. Tell us about your discipline philosophy.

20. What are your classroom rules? How do you
make students familiar with the rules?

21. What daily or weekly routines would be

incorporated in your teaching?

22. One student hits another student. What do

you do?

23. A student throws a pencil across the room.

What do you do?

24. Explain what you would do if a student was

swearing in your class?

25. What would you do if a student was

complaining about an assignment you’ve given?
Related Tip: Why do we have to learn this?

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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.

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%.

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.

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
Paula Bean
H.S. Teacher

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.

Beware. Teaching interview questions like the

above may look for whether you use
assessments vs tests.

Know what differentiation and universal design

are. Be ready to discuss working with students
with both identified and unidentified disabilities.
Be able to explain how to flip a classroom.
Explain that you’ll be very willing to
communicate with and work with parents.
Explain scope and sequence. Know who Ross
Greene, Ruby Payne and Donna Beagle are. Be
able to talk about how you’d apply their work in
your classroom.
Brian Welsh
High School Teacher

15 Less Common Teacher Interview Questions

[11–25]

The next 15 interview questions for teachers

aren’t on the A-list.

As one of my teachers used to say, prepare for

them anyway because they may be on the test.
You never know which teaching job interview
question you might face. More prep = less
chance of a flub.

What are your strengths as a teacher?

What’s your biggest weakness as a teacher?
How do you interact with parents?
Why did you leave your last teaching (or other)
job?
What’s your educational background?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
How do you handle classroom management?
What’s your favorite subject?
What do you like best about teaching?
Tell me about your teaching style
How do you manage your time to get all your
teaching duties done within schedule?
What’s the biggest challenge today’s students
face?
Describe your worst day in class.
How do you motivate students to learn?
How have you helped a “tough” student?

Those are the top 25 teacher interview questions

and answers. Want one more question to rule
them all? That’s coming in a second.

Be flexible. “On the way to my first teaching

interview, I was caught in a downpour and my
car broke down. I still nailed every question.
Then they asked to see my portfolio. I unzipped
it and a big puddle of water splashed out onto
the principal’s lap. I said, “I’m pretty sure this is
a sign that this is not the place for me.” He
laughed and offered me the job.
P.J. Stevenson
H.S. Teacher

3
The Most Important Interview Question for
Teachers

Here’s the ultimate teacher interview question:

“Do you have questions for me?”

Why’s that earthshaking?

It asks if you’re savvy enough to ask an

intelligent question about the job.
It lets you show your interest.
It can show you’re an impressive candidate.
It lets you pry out valuable information about
the position.
It takes time away from their teaching interview
questions. That lets you out of the hot seat.
So, do a little head-scratching in advance.

Which of the reverse-teaching interview

questions below fit the job opening best?

Which ones show you as the strongest

candidate?

Questions to Ask in a Teacher Interview

What would my goals be for the first year?

What’s the average classroom size?
What’s the school’s culture like?
Do you have an active PTA?
What are the other teachers like?
How is the interaction between the school and
the parents?
What do the other teachers like most about this
school?
How do you handle bullying?
How do you approach student discipline?
How do you measure teacher success?