Like a lot of other people, you may want to quit your boring (but stable) job in the middle of your career to do something more important. It’s not unusual for that something to be teaching. So you get certified, update your resume, and land a few interviews.
But the interview process can be daunting. You try to present your best self, hoping that you say the right thing.
It doesn’t matter how nervous you are about job interviews—you can be sure of yourself at your teacher interview.
You simply need to prepare well ahead of time. Here are some teacher job interview questions you should think about and look up before you go to the interview.
Keep in mind that this list is not verbatim all that you could be asked. It simply includes the essential steps you should take when preparing to secure the teaching position you want. Giving these questions a lot of thought will not only help you in the interview, but it will also make you a better teacher.
Getting hired as a teacher by the Orange County Public Schools in Florida can be highly competitive. With a rigorous interview process designed to truly assess your skills and fit within the district, you’ll need to showcase your teaching abilities, classroom management expertise, and passion for fostering student success.
This guide covers the 25 most common teacher interview questions asked by OCPS interviewers, from your philosophy on education to handling challenges in the classroom. Read on for sample answers and strategies to help you prepare for your Orange County teacher job interview.
Why Do You Want to Teach for Orange County Public Schools?
With 180+ schools serving over 200,000 students, OCPS offers incredible diversity and opportunity. Share why you’re excited to join this large, high-performing district specifically.
Sample Answer I’m drawn to OCPS because of its strong reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Implementing cutting-edge curriculum like the LaunchEd program shows a commitment to progress I find inspiring. The sheer variety of schools, from magnet programs to International Baccalaureate options provides amazing experiences for students. And OCPS’s diversity would allow me to learn from colleagues and students alike. I’m excited to be part of this vibrant community focused on raising the bar in education.
What is Your Teaching Philosophy?
OCPS wants teachers who can clearly articulate a thoughtful philosophy to guide their approach. Share your core beliefs around how students learn best.
Sample Answer My philosophy is that all students can thrive when provided with a nurturing structured environment and engaging lessons tailored to their unique learning needs. My role as an educator is to foster critical thinking and curiosity in every child, while instilling a lifelong love of learning. My teaching methods emphasize identifying students’ strengths and areas for growth so I can support each individual. Above all, I create an inclusive classroom that makes every student feel capable and valued.
How Do You Handle Discipline Issues in the Classroom?
Maintaining an orderly learning environment is key Demonstrate that you actively address infractions calmly and appropriately,
Sample Answer: My priority is always preserving a positive classroom culture focused on cooperation and respect. For minor issues, I use gentle reminders and private conversations with students to correct behavior. For recurring or severe problems, I reach out to parents and school counselors to understand root causes and collaborate. As a last resort for extreme disruption, I defer to administrators per school policy. No matter the situation, I enforce discipline in a fair, compassionate manner, keeping open communication with students and parents.
How Do You Use Data to Improve Your Instruction?
Data analysis is critical for identifying gaps and opportunities. Share how you incorporate quantitative and qualitative insights into better lesson planning.
Sample Answer: I’m a firm believer in data-driven instruction. I regularly examine test scores, grades, and student evaluations to see where whole-class or individual weaknesses lie. If I notice a dip in scores on algebra, I may reteach the concept using a different approach. For individual students struggling in reading, I design targeted remediation plans. Analyzing data, rather than relying on hunches, ensures I objectively identify and address problem areas to continuously strengthen my teaching.
How Do You Support the Needs of Diverse Learners?
OCPS’s students come from all backgrounds. Illustrate your commitment to inclusive, differentiated instruction.
Sample Answer: I create an environment that embraces diverse perspectives and needs from day one. I get to know my students’ strengths and areas for growth and adjust activities accordingly. For example, I may provide writing outlines for students who struggle summarizing key points. Or I could allow advanced students to delve deeper into topics. Maintaining open communication with parents, counselors, and support staff helps me serve students who need accommodations. Most importantly, I hold every student to high expectations, finding ways for all to feel challenged and successful.
What Methods Do You Use to Engage Students?
Lessons should be stimulating, not boring. Share creative instructional strategies you’ve used to motivate learners.
Sample Answer: I engage my students by incorporating interactive discussion, group work, hands-on learning, and elements of friendly competition. For instance, I may have them complete a fun team quiz game to review material. Or I could assign a project where groups create their own video ads, poems, or rap songs demonstrating concepts. I also invite student input when planning units to cover topics they find interesting. My goal is creating excitement and active participation, not just passive listening. Engaged students become self-driven, lifelong learners.
How Do You Involve Parents in Their Child’s Education?
Communicating with parents is expected. Discuss your preferred methods for facilitating parental collaboration and support.
Sample Answer: I strongly believe parents should be active partners in their child’s learning. I maintain open channels through tools like email, phone calls, and our online parent portal. For struggling students, I reach out to craft joint intervention plans with parents. I also encourage parents to contact me at any time with questions or feedback. Events like open houses and student performances give parents visibility into class activities as well. By keeping parents continuously ‘in the loop,’ we can work as a team to provide the best academic experience possible.
Tell Me About a Lesson Plan You Developed and Implemented.
Well-crafted lesson plans are the core of great teaching. Walk through one lesson you created from start to finish.
Sample Answer: When beginning our unit on poetry, I first administered a pre-test to assess students’ familiarity with key literary devices. Results showed low recognition of terms like simile and metaphor. I created a lesson to build foundational knowledge before diving into analysis. Students completed a matching handout pairing devices with definitions and examples. We then discussed how authors use these tools to create meaning as a class. Finally, students worked in pairs to identify devices in sample poems. Post-lesson quizzes demonstrated improved grasp of these concepts. This allowed us to progress to higher-order discussion and activities.
How Do You Use Technology in the Classroom?
Today’s students are digital natives. Share specific platforms, tools and activities you incorporate to enhance tech-savvy instruction.
Sample Answer: I embrace technology as an engaging supplement to traditional instruction. I often use Kahoot for gamified quizzes, and tools like Google Classroom and Edmodo for organizing assignments, collaboration and parent communication. For projects, I may have students produce podcasts, videos, or other digital media applying their skills. Virtual field trips to museums and science centers expose them to new environments. However, I balance screen time with hands-on activities. The goal is harnessing technology to get students excited and actively involved in meaningful learning.
What Challenges Have You Faced as a Teacher and How Did You Overcome Them?
Teaching has difficulties. Demonstrate self-reflectiveness by sharing an obstacle you faced and the growth that resulted.
Sample Answer: Early in my career, I struggled to reach a student who was chronically disengaged and often disruptive during class. Through open communication and working closely with his counselor, I eventually learned more about his academic frustrations stemming from a learning disability. Using what I learned about his needs, I was able to assign work better tailored to his skills and provide the additional support he required. Seeing his attitude and performance improve taught me how understanding each student’s unique barriers can lead to breakthroughs. This experience made me a more empathetic, resourceful teacher.
Why Are You Leaving Your Current Position?
If changing roles, explain your decision honestly and professionally, avoiding negativity about past employers.
Sample Answer: I’ve learned a tremendous amount from my experiences at my current district, but I’m looking for a new challenge. OCPS offers more extensive resources and professional development opportunities that will help me continue strengthening my practice. I’m also drawn to OCPS’s innovative programs and commitment to progress that align with my passion for the field. Most attractive, however, is the chance to inspire a wonderfully diverse student body full of potential. I’m excited to bring my skills to OCPS and join a team equally devoted to shaping future generations.
How Do You Create a Classroom Culture of Respect?
OCPS prioritizes inclusive environments. Discuss strategies you implement to model respectfulness and cooperation.
Sample Answer: Establishing clear expectations and routines for respectful interactions is foundational. Things like raising hands and not interrupting instill structure. However, I also reinforce values like compassion in daily discourse and assignments. When conflicts occur, we discuss resolution through empathy. I facilitate “community circles” for students to share feelings and experiences. Modeling respect in how I speak to my students is equally important. My goal is a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and part of a team working together.
Tell Me About a Time You Successfully Adapted an Assignment to Meet Students’ Needs.
Customizing curriculum for learners is expected. Illustrate with an example of modifying plans based on student performance and engagement.
Sample Answer: When introducing Shakespearean language, many students struggled to comprehend the unfamiliar text. Rather than pressing forward, I adapted the unit to build literacy skills first. We covered fundamental concepts like identifying theme, character motivations and tone. Students acted out scenes to clarify meanings. Once they demonstrated stronger foundational skills during these exercises, they could then tackle Shakespeare’s works with greater confidence and success. Flexibility allowe
What Do You Love About Teaching?
Other questions in this vein could include:
- Why do you want to be a teacher?
- What is it about teaching that makes you want to quit your current job?
- In the past, who was your favorite teacher and why?
They want to know that the person applying for the job is qualified and wants to work there. Being caring is even more important in jobs like teaching, where you’re there to help kids. If you act like you’re not interested in the teaching job during your interview, you will represent yourself badly.
Before you go to the interview, think about what you like about teaching and why you want to become a teacher. Writing out your thoughts can be a helpful way of processing them. You want to answer your interview questions with solid reasons, concrete examples, and personal stories, where appropriate.
A few common reasons people want to teach are:
- they love learning and being in a learning environment
- teaching is a job with a lot of variety
- teaching is a way of serving their communities
- they like the creativity and independence teaching offers
- they want summers off
- they want to make a difference in people’s lives
When people ask you about your love of teaching, it’s a great chance to show that you are real and friendly. Sharing a story about a teacher or someone else who really motivated you to become a teacher is encouraged. Stories have a special way of resonating with people. Whatever you say, let your enthusiasm and passion for teaching be clear in your answer.
How You Will Manage Your Classroom?
Knowing how you’re going to run your classroom shows that you’re not only good at your subject, but also good at leading and getting along with others.
Note that classroom management overlaps with teaching style. The more organized you are, the more you will minimize misunderstandings between you and your students.
The interviewer might ask you:
- Are you a tough teacher or an easy one?
- Have you ever had to deal with a student who was really hard to get along with?
- If so, how did you handle that situation?
Teachers face captive audiences on a daily basis. Many of the members are not going to be naturally excited about being there. Classroom management is therefore an essential topic with which you need to be familiar.
This is particularly true for candidates interviewing for a teaching position in the field of special education. Special education teachers need to know a lot of different ways to keep students’ attention and deal with students who are being disruptive. They also need to be able to explain how they’ll help students persevere with a difficult task.
Use what you know from teaching others or what you can find online to come up with strategies that will work for the age group and type of student you’ll be teaching. Do some research ahead of time to learn about the disciplinary procedures at the school where you’re applying. Then you can tailor your answer accordingly. Know what you would do, and show how your methods fit the school’s philosophy.
For example, if you’re an elementary teacher, you could try a strategy where when someone breaks a rule, you write one letter of the word “sorry” on the board. Your students understand that if you ever spell the entire word, the class loses a fun activity.
It’s also a good idea to mention how you would prevent conflict from arising ahead of time. You can make it a habit to make eye contact with each student throughout the day. You could say hello to everyone in the morning to show that you’re glad to see them all. The more your students know that you care about them, the less likely they are to act out.
Say This in Your Teacher Interview | Kathleen Jasper
FAQ
How do I prepare for a public school interview?
