Getting ready to interview for a new teaching job? You’re probably excited but also nervous. The best way to overcome those nerves is to prepare in advance. Take a look at this list of the most common teacher interview questions and answers. Practice your responses, and you’ll feel much more confident when you walk through that door.
Check out the questions and tips for answering below. Also, fill out the form on this page to get a free list of questions you can print out to help you get ready for your next interview.
Remember, though, that interviews are a two-way street. Impressing your interviewers is important, of course. But so is finding out if this school is a place where you’ll truly thrive. That’s why, along with the most common teacher interview questions and answers, we’ve also included five questions you might want to ask if you get the chance. Make your interview time count for everyone involved!.
Getting hired as a teacher takes more than just credentials and classroom experience. You need to demonstrate a thoughtful, student-focused approach to instruction during the interview process. Interviewers want to understand your teaching philosophy strategies and commitment to continuous growth.
Mastering pedagogy interview questions is key to showcasing your skills as an educator. This article provides examples of the top pedagogy questions asked in teaching interviews, with tips to help you prepare winning, insightful responses.
1. Briefly describe your philosophy of education.
This open-ended question allows you to share your core beliefs about the role of teachers and approach to nurturing students Tailor your philosophy to the specific age group and subject area you teach
In your answer, aim to cover:
- Your purpose and passion as an educator
- Methods you use to motivate and engage students
- Ways you cultivate critical thinking, creativity and collaboration
- How you accommodate different learning needs and styles
- Values like lifelong learning, determination and integrity that shape your teaching
Keep your response concise yet thoughtful Share real examples of how your philosophy guides your classroom practices Demonstrate your commitment to student growth and achievement,
2. How do you get to know your students and build relationships with them?
Teaching success hinges on strong student-teacher relationships. Discuss strategies you use to foster individual connections with students and create a positive classroom community.
In your response, highlight tactics like:
- Personalized welcome letters or student surveys at the start of the year
- Regular check-ins, both one-on-one and as a group
- Icebreakers and team building activities throughout the year
- Displaying student work and achievements to recognize talents
- Incorporating cooperative learning to encourage peer relationships
- Respecting students’ perspectives and giving them voice
Share specific anecdotes that showcase your interpersonal skills. Demonstrate your compassion and ability to cultivate trust.
3. What is your classroom management style?
Effective learning requires an orderly environment. Describe your approach to establishing procedures, expectations and student accountability.
In your answer, explain:
- Rules, routines and organizational structures you implement
- Positive reinforcement techniques like praise or reward systems
- Logical consequences for misbehavior and your discipline process
- How you model and teach behavior expectations to students
- Methods for maximizing time on instruction and minimizing disruptions
Emphasize proactive strategies focused on engagement versus reactive tactics. Share real scenarios that exemplify your classroom management abilities.
4. How do you accommodate students with special needs?
Highlight specific steps you take to support students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, physical impairments or other special needs.
In your response, discuss how you:
- Follow students’ IEPs and 504 plans, providing required accommodations
- Work collaboratively with special education teachers, counselors and parents
- Differentiate instruction through modified assignments, testing adaptations and assistive technologies
- Create individualized behavior plans and provide extra guidance
- Make curricula accessible through multi-sensory resources
- Foster a welcoming, understanding classroom environment
Illustrate your student-centered approach to inclusion. Provide examples of how you helped special needs students thrive.
5. How do you incorporate technology into instruction?
Today’s students are digital natives. Share creative ways you leverage technology to boost engagement, comprehension and skills.
Highlight tactics like:
- Interactive whiteboard activities, educational apps and games
- Multimedia content like videos, simulations and animations
- Blended learning combining online and in-person instruction
- Digital creation tools for presentations, films, music or art
- Online surveys, discussions, wikis or blogs to teach collaboration
- Using Google Classroom, Canvas or other platforms to share resources
Discuss tech-based lesson examples. Demonstrate you blend innovation with core curriculum goals.
6. How do you ensure lessons are culturally responsive and inclusive?
Explain how you craft lessons that represent and engage all students, regardless of their backgrounds.
In your answer, share how you:
- Learn about students’ family origins, values and experiences
- Incorporate diverse cultures, histories and perspectives into content
- Use texts and materials featuring diverse characters and role models
- Tap into students’ prior knowledge and community contexts
- Foster open discussions about identity, equality and social issues
- Encourage students to share and take pride in their cultures
Provide examples of how your culturally responsive approach promotes equity and belonging.
7. What methods do you use to assess student progress?
Discuss your approach to evaluation through formative and summative assessments. Show how you gather data to pinpoint learner needs and gaps.
In your response, detail types like:
- Pre-tests and diagnostic assessments to gauge baseline skills
- Regular quizzes, projects and discussions to check understanding
- Student conferences and feedback on assignments
- Tracking growth through portfolios, journals or skills trackers
- Benchmark testing to measure progress toward standards
- Surveys, self-evaluations and peer reviews
Explain how you use assessment data to guide your instructional choices. Share how you provide meaningful feedback to students and parents.
8. How do you engage students and make learning enjoyable?
Share creative lesson delivery methods you use to spark student interest and active participation.
Discuss tactics like:
- Hands-on experiments, simulations and exploratory projects
- Friendly competitions, quiz games and puzzles to review concepts
- Partner and group work to exchange ideas
- Choice boards, profiles or menus to customize assignments
- Using storytelling, music, art and physical activities
- Tying instruction to real-world issues relevant to students’ lives
Convey your enthusiasm and passion for teaching. Provide examples of how you make learning fun and impactful.
9. What professional development activities do you participate in?
Demonstrate your dedication to continuously developing your craft. Highlight PD activities that build your instructional knowledge and skills.
Discuss how you:
- Take courses related to your subject matter and pedagogy
- Attend conferences and workshops in your specialty
- Follow education blogs, magazines, podcasts and Twitter chats
- Participate in professional teaching associations
- Observe other teachers and share best practices
- Take advantage of school or district PD opportunities
- Pursue advanced certifications in your field
Identify specific areas you aim to improve through PD, like technology integration or differentiated instruction. Show you are committed to lifelong learning.
10. Where do you see your teaching career in five years?
Share your professional vision and growth goals. You might aim to:
- Hone your skills in the classroom as an instructional leader
- Take on curriculum development or teacher mentorship roles
- Pursue school leadership positions like department chair or admin
- Specialize in certain areas like special ed, ESL instruction or counseling
- Move into district level training or policy making positions
- Shift into alternative educational careers in academia or publishing
While you may have several paths in mind, focus on how you hope to improve as an educator above all else. Reinforce your dedication to making an impact through teaching.
Preparing responses to pedagogy questions takes time and practice. But it’s a worthwhile investment. Mastering teaching interview questions allows you to highlight your skills, passion and vision for nurturing students. With preparation, you can confidently share your educational philosophy and emerge as the top candidate for any teaching job.
How do you feel about classroom observations and walk-throughs?
This one sounds simple, but be careful. You can say that observations make you nervous, but most administrators want teachers who don’t mind when other adults watch what they do in the classroom. This is a great time to talk about how exciting it is to share all the great things that happen in your classroom with the parents of your students and the administration, even though you still get a little nervous when other adults are watching.
What’s your least favorite subject or topic to teach? How do you ensure you teach it well?
It’s okay to say you don’t like math or that you hate teaching 9th graders Romeo and Juliet. No one expects you to love every subject you teach. And they do expect you to be able to approach every subject on your syllabus with knowledge, skills, and some buzz. Share how you do that with topics that you find dull as dishwater or downright difficult to teach.
TEACHER Interview Questions and Answers!
FAQ
How do you answer what is your teaching pedagogy?
What is your teaching style interview question?
What pedagogical interview questions should I ask?
To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of common pedagogical interview questions and answers. These questions will cover topics such as your teaching philosophy, classroom management style, and use of technology in the classroom. What is Pedagogy? What are the main types of pedagogical methods that can be used in schools and colleges?
How do you answer a teacher interview question?
This is one of the most common, as well as one of the trickiest, teacher interview questions. Don’t answer with a clichéd, generic response. In fact, your response is your teaching mission statement. It’s the answer to why you’re a teacher. It’s helpful if you write out your mission statement before the interview and practice reciting it.
What are the most common teacher interview questions?
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.
How does pedagogy relate to education?
When answering this question, define pedagogy in your own words and explain how it relates to education. Example: “Pedagogy is the study of teaching methods. In my experience, I have found that there are many different ways to teach students. Pedagogy helps teachers determine which method will be most effective for their students.
