Teacher Interview
During your interview with the teacher, you will need to do more than just give generic answers to the questions you are asked. The best candidate will be able to explain how he is qualified for the job and why he would be a good fit for the school.
Make it personal.
Take the time to personalize your answers to the interview questions. Include highlights of your background, skills, and professional experience that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Focus on the skills most relevant to the field. Here is a list of the teaching skills that interviewers are most interested in. Of course, communication, organization, and critical thinking are high on the list of desired qualities.
Make a couple.
Take a careful look at the job listing for each position you’re applying for. 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 listed. 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 guide to answer questions about your background.
Please provide examples.
The interviewer is likely to ask you behavioral interview questions, which require you to provide an example of a time you did something. For example, an interviewer might say, “Tell me about a time you handled a behavior problem with a student.” These types of questions require you to think of examples from past teachings.
To answer these questions, describe the specific example you are thinking of. Explain the situation and what you did to 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 example, 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 he rated his child unfairly?” Although these are future situations, you can still respond with an example from a past experience. It is helpful to create a list of anecdotes that you can build on, focusing on situations where your action has a clear and positive outcome.
Research the school.
Research the school district and school where you will be working if hired. You can find much of this information on the school district website. Also, if you have a connection to any teachers who work at the school, the district, or any parents who attend the school, ask them for their input on the work. The more familiar you are with academics, extracurricular activities, sports, student profiles, and curriculum, the better equipped you will 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’ll be expected to interview a variety of different components.
You may be required to meet with a panel, which could include the school principal, administrative staff, other teachers, and parents. In some cases, you may need to interview with a search committee that is responsible for evaluating candidates before moving on to a formal interview for the position.
Teacher Interview Questions and Best Answers
Check out this list of questions you might be asked during a teaching job interview, with examples of how best to answer each one.
Questions about you as a teacher
Share your enthusiasm for teaching, working with students, and examples of how you would teach in your class. Be prepared to answer questions about why you are interested in the job, how you teach different types of students within the same class, and how you handle challenges in the classroom.
You should also be prepared to discuss your teaching and classroom management philosophies.
Why did you decide to be a teacher?
What is your teaching philosophy?
What type of classroom management structure would you implement if hired?
How have you used, or how will you use, technology in the classroom?