2nd round interview questions for teachers

Being invited for a second or subsequent interview is satisfying because it means you are one step closer to getting the job. Dont blow it now! Read our second-interview dos and donts.

SECOND INTERVIEW TIPS! (2nd Interview Questions you MUST PREPARE FOR!)

1 What questions do you have for us?

This crucial interview question is usually posed at the conclusion of the interview. Asking thoughtful, well-researched questions demonstrates your interest in the job and contributes to making a lasting final impression. Bring five to ten questions to the interview in advance, and jot down or make a mental note of any additional inquiries that arise.

What qualities do you look for in a candidate? What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? How would you describe the culture of the school? What extracurricular activities are available to students?

What characteristics do students want their teachers to possess?

Each teacher has their own style of instruction, but different students learn best with various types of instruction, so a teacher needs to be flexible. A good response outlines the qualities you believe are most crucial for a teacher to have, how these qualities benefit students, and how you work to develop those qualities in yourself.

“I think students want their teachers to be dedicated and approachable, and they can tell when a teacher doesn’t possess these qualities,” is an example of a response. Students are more likely to succeed if they are aware that you are working hard and that you want to help them as they learn. Because of this, I always maintain an open door policy and work hard to establish a rapport with each student. ”.

Questions about teaching experience and background

These inquiries aid an interviewer in determining your suitability for the job and whether your values align with those of the organization:

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Don’t be deceived by the fact that the question appears to be simple and unimportant. Most hiring managers are looking for more than just, “I’ve always loved kids,” Schools want to know you are committed to enhancing the lives of students, so why are you even applying if you don’t have a substantive response? Answer truthfully, giving details or examples that demonstrate your path toward becoming a teacher.

Are the Teaching Skills There?

It’s time to delve a little deeper now that the background information is out of the way. It’s time to determine the applicant’s suitability as a teacher. Les Potter is one of the principals who favors interviewing candidates with teaching experience. Potter, principal of Silver Sands Middle School in Port Orange, Florida, said: “I am fortunate I can get experienced applicants.” “I can check references, so I can get a better read on them. Since experienced candidates are more likely to understand what they are getting into, I will probably need to spend less time working with them one-on-one. “.

Potter always asks the same question, regardless of the applicant’s level of experience:

Tell me about a lesson you taught that was successful. Why did the lesson work so well?.

Potter explained, “That question helps me get a sense of how the teacher plans, thinks, and reacts.”

The Catskill (New York) High School principal, Don Finelli, also wants to assess a candidate’s aptitude for lesson planning. According to Finelli, the start of a lesson and its conclusion are the most crucial moments in class. So he poses a specific situation and topic. The bell has just rung to start class, and I say, “You are going to teach this topic this period. Describe what the next 15 minutes are like. What are you doing? What are your students doing?”.

That inquiry allows Finelli to assess the candidate’s speed of thought. “I look for knowledge, confidence, and passion,” said Finelli. “Does the candidate have an idea of what a classroom should look like and already have a plan in place?”

Jim DeGenova, the principal, enjoys watching prospective new hires teach a lesson. He informs applicants in advance that conducting a lesson will be a part of the interview, but he doesn’t provide any further details. DeGenova, an elementary school principal and an assistant high school principal in Pennsylvania’s Slippery Rock Area School District, said, “Wing-it lessons are a part of life.” Those of us who reside in the real world are aware that unforeseen occurrences and problems can occur. So I request that a lesson on a subject related to the applicants’ certification area be taught with no preparation beforehand. Even though some lessons are only five or ten minutes long, they help me prepare for my observations by giving me a better idea of what to expect. “.

During an interview, principal Marguerite McNeely wants to find out if a candidate is more than a one-note teacher. She asks.

What other teaching techniques besides lectures would you employ to convey information to your students?

McNeely, principal at Alexandria Middle Magnet School for Math and Science, said: “Since that is what I am looking for, I make sure to screen for it during the interview.”

Chris Vail, assistant principal at Groveport Madison Middle School South in Groveport, Ohio, is curious to learn how well teachers can plan lessons, but one of the questions he poses is intended to gauge how well a teacher knows what to do if a lesson is not successful. Vail often asks candidates.

What happens if your students don’t “get it”? In other words, do you have a plan for remediation and how do you carry out that plan if a lesson isn’t working for all of your students?

“When the students get it, all good teachers are effective,” said Vail. “I’m looking for teachers who have a variety of backup plans in place for when students don’t grasp the material. “.

A Teacher in the Making

Some people believe teachers are born. But most principals think it takes more than that. They claim that even the best teachers are constantly looking for ways to get better. Principals frequently seek applicants who acknowledge that they have a long way to go before becoming the kind of teachers they want to be during interviews. Principals ask questions like these to ascertain a new teacher’s attitude toward professional development:

What would your previous employer or college advisor consider to be your greatest strengths for teaching, and what would they suggest to be areas that need growth?

Thats a question principal Teri Stokes often asks. Stokes said, “The question helps me gauge the applicants’ comprehension of where they are in the process of developing into a great teacher.” “Then I always ask the applicant what plan they have to expand in those areas,” I want to know if they have any reading or workshop plans or if they intend to observe a particular teacher who has honed those necessary skills.

Additionally, Principal Larry Davis requests that applicants concentrate on their most pressing areas of professional development. Davis, principal at Doctors Inlet Elementary School in Middleburg, Florida, said, “This lets me know where weaknesses may be without being negative or making the candidate feel uncomfortable.”

A similar query is posed by Brian Hazeltine, principal of Airdrie Koininia Christian School in Airdrie, Alberta (Canada). “I want to see how sincere and self-aware the candidate is about their abilities.” “.

Patricia Green encourages applicants to approach the standard strengths-and-weaknesses question from a slightly different angle. She asks:

What five words, if your biggest fan were here with us right now, would s/he use to sum up who you are as a person, a teacher, or a colleague?

Green said, “That question demonstrates whether candidates can think quickly and accurately sum themselves up in just five words.” “The question allows us to gauge a person’s level of self-assurance and willingness to divulge some depth in a series of one-word responses.” “.

Asking a question that Deborah Harbin frequently uses is another way to determine whether or not a candidate might be proactive in the area of professional development:

What recent readings influenced you to alter your teaching style?

Houston, Texas principal Harbin of Duryea Elementary School said, “That question helps me set the tone.” “I expect my teachers to want to take some responsibility for their own professional development and to be lifelong learners.” “.

Andy Wood, the college president (the equivalent of a U S. Another person who enjoys asking about reading habits is Principal (principal) at Seaforth College, a kindergarten through high school in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. He always inquires about the book a candidate has on their nightstand at the time of the interview. The candidate’s response provides insight into their academic and personal values, according to Wood.

Many principals recognize the importance of a teachers writing skills. Principals want assurance that correspondence between the school and the home will be written clearly and correctly, whether it be in a class newsletter, report card comments, or answers to parents’ emails.

Principal Betty Peltier allots time to request a writing sample from a candidate so she can get a sense of their writing abilities. She asks a query that every candidate for a teaching position ought to be able to respond to:

Explain your teaching philosophy in no more than 100 words in writing.

Marguerite McNeely presents a similar assignment. “I check for writing ability and cohesive thoughts,” said McNeely.

25 Most Common Teacher Interview Questions [1–10]

These interview questions for teachers will prompt the following question from the interviewers:

They address common inquiries from high school interviews, inquiries from special education teachers, inquiries from interviews with substitute or assistant teachers, and more.

The most frequent interview question for teachers is, “Why did you decide to become a teacher?”

Administrators want to know that you are driven to persevere despite inevitable setbacks. And trust me, they have heard every cliched response in the books.

“Because I want to help people” won’t work. Find something specific that shows you’re motivated like no other.

When I was younger, I had trouble reading. Mrs. Paulette introduced us to a wonderful selection of books and short stories. She engaged us in reading comprehension exercises while reading to us. Her care sparked an insatiable thirst in me that caused me to read countless books on a variety of subjects, including history, biology, sociology, and nature. Mrs. Paulette’s attention forever changed my outlook on life. Since then, I’ve known I wanted to emulate her by providing kids with lifelong tools, just as she did.

It’s the equivalent of asking “tell me about yourself” in a teacher interview: “Are you a good fit for our school?” ”.

Answering the question “I believe in structured learning” in an unstructured school’s elementary teacher interview is inappropriate. ”.

Prior to the interview, spend some time learning about the school’s philosophy.

I believe in teaching to each student’s passion. For instance, my students struggled with punctuation in one kindergarten class. I noticed that Mary, one of the students, suddenly became enthusiastic about apostrophes. I fueled her passion with a big book on punctuation. Her energy spread throughout the class, and soon everyone was asking vivacious questions. I try to present structured lessons in an unstructured manner like this whenever possible.

That answer uses the S. T. A. R. approach to teaching interview questions. A situation, a task, an action, and a result are displayed.

Another interview query for teachers that is based on the guiding principles of the institution is this one.

One administrator might think it’s crucial to know every detail. Another might respond, “A doctor doesn’t need to be aware of her patient’s preferred flavor of ice cream. ”.

Find common ground while remaining sincere, as in this teaching interview question’s response:

I must be aware of a student’s learning preferences, interests, and difficulties. One difficult student, Tim, was disruptive in class. I joined him on the playground on and off. It turned out that his brother’s friends were harassing him after school. I spoke with Tim’s parents, and they had no idea. Tim became my best pupil, and as a result, my entire class became more quiet and simple to instruct.

How to Prepare for a Teaching Interview:

Administrators want to know if you really want this job.

So—find things you love about the school.

Talk to teachers who work there. View the school’s mission statement and “About Us” page on the website.

Finally, take some time to think of how you fit.

Example Answer

I admire Snowy Peaks High’s commitment to educating the whole child. Your emphasis on education, character, community, and nature complemented my own philosophy perfectly. It’s easier to teach well-rounded students. Even the best lesson plan won’t be able to help a child who is having difficulties in all other facets of life.

These types of interview questions for teachers don’t need to make you flinch.

Remember:

Take the time to learn the school’s needs first.

The illustration that follows shows a school with a high proportion of disruptive students

Several of your teachers and I have spoken about the difficulties they have with classroom management. My own classroom management skills are highly developed. I completed the online class management program at the University of Phoenix for 18 continuing education credits. At my previous school, I received praise for actively participating in a class with more than 25% disruptive students. A combination of nonverbal cues, transition cues, timeouts, and other kernel-based techniques were employed by me. I believe I can be just as effective here.

This and other teaching interview questions test your ability to overcome obstacles.

So—your answer has to show your inner strength.

Bright children who are overconfident and lack effort irritate me greatly. There’s nothing sadder or more common than wasted potential. In my previous job, I dealt with several kids who weren’t trying. I used a program based on research to include student suggestions in 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.

The teacher interview equivalent of the standard question, “Why should we hire you,” is this.

For a school that wants technology in the curriculum, the example response given below is appropriate.

I’m well aware of your new technology initiative. At my previous school, the same assignment was given to us. Having a strong background in technology, I found it simple to add online tests. They were well-liked by the students and reduced administrative work by 25%.

This and similar teacher interview questions look at your preparedness.

First steps create a first impression. Your first-steps strategy reveals a lot about your teaching abilities.

I want my classroom to be welcoming and nurturing. I also make the ground rules obvious. Students are made to feel at home right away by a welcome sign and labeled desks. Exciting posters and other visual aids contribute to the feeling of anticipation. A lengthy list of guidelines and penalties is posted at the front of the room to help the class get off to a good start.

Why does your subject matter to you?

You won’t pass this and other typical teacher interview questions if you respond, “So they can get good jobs.”

Consider your deep-seated reasons for caring about the topic.

FAQ

What do they ask in 2nd round interview?

More job-specific questions about how you might approach typical challenges you’d face on the job will likely be asked of you in your second interview. Additionally, questions about your preferences for employment, such as pay, management style, motivations, and career goals, may be asked of you.

What questions should a teacher ask in a second 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?

How do I prepare for a second teaching interview?

Complete and bring your lesson plan to the interview. In no more than ten minutes, you should walk your interviewer through the lesson plan you prepared. Prepare a presentation that will give the interviewer a clear idea of how the lesson would have appeared if they had witnessed it in person.

What happens at a second round teacher interview?

The second stage is where your background will be discussed. Expect to be questioned about your educational background, professional history, accomplishments, and long-term objectives. In addition to learning more about you, the interviewer wants to know if you have the necessary qualifications for the open teaching position.