In this article, we explore some of the most common interview questions asked during a education coordinator interview along with some great answers to help you win the job.
Share an experience you had in dealing with a difficult person and how you handled the situation. Tell me about an effective health education or promotion program which you developed and/or presented. Please share with me an example of how you helped coach or mentor someone.
Are you familiar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other special education laws?
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with special education laws. Special education laws are important for school districts because they help ensure students receive the services they need. Your answer should show that you understand these laws and how they apply to your work as a special education coordinator.
Example: “Yes, I am very familiar with IDEA and other special education laws. In my last role, I was responsible for making sure all of our special education teachers followed the law. This included ensuring they had the resources they needed to provide quality education to their students. For example, I would make sure we had enough special education teachers and assistants to meet the needs of each student.”
What are some of the most important qualities for a special education coordinator to have?
This question can help an interviewer determine if you possess the qualities they look for in a special education coordinator. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills and traits that are listed on your resume or cover letter.
Example: “I believe one of the most important qualities for a special education coordinator is patience. Coordinators often work with teachers, parents and students who may all have different ideas about what’s best for their child. Having patience can allow me to listen to everyone’s concerns and find solutions that make everyone happy. Another quality I think is important is flexibility. Special education coordinators need to be able to adapt to changing situations and needs.”
How would you create a positive environment for students with disabilities and their teachers?
Special education coordinators are responsible for creating a positive learning environment for students with disabilities. Employers ask this question to see if you have strategies for making the school more inclusive and encouraging for all students. In your answer, share two or three ways that you would make sure special needs students feel welcome in their classrooms.
Example: “I think it’s important to create an inclusive classroom where every student feels comfortable asking questions and participating in class activities. I would start by training teachers on how to communicate with parents of special needs students. This way, they can learn about any accommodations that need to be made before the school year even starts. I also believe that having a few extra supplies on hand is always helpful. For example, I might provide each teacher with a box of fidget toys so that they can give one to a child who fidgets often.”
What is your experience working with teachers and other school staff members?
Special education coordinators need to be able to work with teachers and other school staff members. They also need to have strong communication skills, so they can effectively communicate the needs of special education students to their teachers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you worked with another teacher or staff member to help them understand your role in the classroom.
Example: “I’ve always had a passion for working with children who are learning disabled. I started out as an aide at my local elementary school where I helped kids learn basic math and reading skills. The teacher I was assigned to really appreciated my help because she knew that I understood her teaching style and could anticipate what she needed me to do.”
Provide an example of a time when you had to help a student transition from one type of support to another.
Special education coordinators often have to help students transition from one type of support to another. This question helps the interviewer understand how you handle change and adapt to new situations.
Example: “When I first started working as a special education coordinator, I had a student who was transitioning from physical therapy to occupational therapy. The student was having difficulty with fine motor skills, so we worked on strengthening his hands through different exercises. After several weeks of occupational therapy, he still wasn’t making much progress in his fine motor skills. We decided to add more occupational therapy into his schedule to help him improve his hand-eye coordination.”
If a parent was dissatisfied with their child’s special education services, how would you handle the situation?
Special education coordinators must be able to handle challenging situations with parents and other stakeholders. This question helps the interviewer assess your conflict resolution skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure. In your answer, demonstrate that you can empathize with the parent’s concerns while also remaining firm in your decision making.
Example: “I would first listen carefully to what they had to say and ask them to explain their concerns in more detail. I would then review my notes from our conversation and discuss the situation with my team members who work directly with the child. If we determined that there was a legitimate issue, I would immediately take steps to address it. However, if we found no issues, I would inform the parent that we were confident in our services and encourage them to continue working with us.”
What would you do if there was a shortage of teachers willing to work with students with disabilities?
Special education coordinators often need to find teachers who are willing to work with students with disabilities. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would handle this situation and if you have any experience doing so. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that all of the school’s special education needs were met.
Example: “I’ve had to hire substitute teachers for a few weeks at a time when we didn’t have enough regular special education teachers. I first looked into our budget to see if there was money available to pay for substitutes until we found more permanent teachers. If not, I asked other teachers in the district if they could help us out on a short-term basis. We also offered incentives like bonuses or extra vacation days to those who agreed to fill in.”
Tell me about your teamwork skills in relation to a SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR position?
Special education coordinator’s have to play important roles in a team or group. Your ability in setting relationships with other team members should be appeared in your interview answers and you should mention your contribution into the success of the team.
What experience do you have when it comes to discussing our recently posted SPECIAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR position?
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you know you do not have much experience in the job you are applying for, plan for this question ahead of time and ensure you can provide some relatable examples based on what you have done.
Almost all interviewers will appreciate confidence and pride in the work experience you have earned and your passion in transfering these valuable skills to your future role or position.
What are you looking for in a new position As Education Coordinator?
I’ve been honing my skills As Education Coordinator for a few years now and, first and foremost, I’m looking for a position where I can continue to exercise those skills. Ideally the same things that this position has to offer. Be specific.
Why was there a gap in your employment As Education Coordinator?
If you were unemployed for a period of time, be direct and to the point about what you’ve been up to (and hopefully, that’s a litany of impressive volunteer and other mind-enriching activities, like blogging or taking classes). Then, steer the conversation toward how you will do the job and contribute to the organization: “I decided to take a break at the time, but today I’m ready to contribute to this organization in the following ways.”
Our field is always changing. As such, what have you done with regards to personal development when it comes to a EDUCATION COORDINATOR POSITION in the last 12 months?
Here is an opportunity for you to showcase a wide variety of things you may have done both personally and professionally that will get your potential employers interested. Be sure to think about this one in advance in the event that it comes up.
Keep in mind, one of the key things that employers look for is an applicant who is self motivated and goal oriented.
Even if you don’t have something that is specific to the role you are applying for, don’t be afraid to list hobbies or other non-work related activities here. Again, this shows your employer you are the go-getter they are looking for.
In the end, you want to ensure that you are leaving your interviewer with the impression that you are motivated, self sufficient, and manage your time effectively.
General director of special education interview questions
Here are 20 general questions an interviewer might ask about the director of special education position:
-
Why do you want to be a director of special education?
-
Describe your role and responsibilities as a special educator.
-
Tell me about the special education program in your current school.
-
What does your daily and weekly schedule look like?
-
What does a typical day look like for one of your students?
-
What are some emerging problems in education you want to fix?
-
Why do you want to leave your current position?
-
What do you find most rewarding about working in special education?
-
What challenges are you looking for from this position?
-
How will you make a difference at this school or district?
-
What do you value?
-
What do you know about our district and its schools?
-
Why do you want to work here?
-
What have you done to develop your special education skills or knowledge in the last year?
-
What are your major professional and educational goals?
-
What is your philosophy of education?
-
Who has been your biggest influence in becoming a special educator?
-
What is your most significant achievement in education?
-
Do you pursue any interests outside the classroom?
-
What grade levels have you taught?
Questions on background and experience
Here is a list of questions an interviewer may ask on your background and experience:
-
How many years of experience do you have working as a special education professional?
-
How many years of administrative experience do you have?
-
What kind of disabilities or conditions do you have the most experience working with?
-
What steps do you take to manage a disruptive child?
-
How do you successfully manage your time?
-
How do you prioritize your work?
-
Do you use any special education strategies to help students?
-
How would you define your teamwork capabilities?
-
What do you believe makes a successful team?
-
What is something important youve learned from working in special education?
-
Have you ever conducted a successful teacher training program or conference?
FAQ
Describe to me the position As Education Coordinator you’re applying for?
This is a “homework” question, too, but it also gives some clues as to the perspective the person brings to the table. The best preparation you can do is to read the job description and repeat it to yourself in your own words so that you can do this smoothly at the interview.
In your last job what kinds of pressure did you encounter and how did you react As Education Coordinator?
Do not show your fear or uneasiness in handling pressure. Everyone likes to have a worker who can handle pressure calmly and with a clear train of thought. Show how you would logically come to a conclusion in a pressure filled situation.
What have you done to improve yourself in the last year As Education Coordinator?
Discuss how you’ve improved yourself through work experiences, books you’ve read, classes, club(s) / extracurricular activities and describe the process on how it’s happened. For example: I’ve improved my presentation skills tremendously because I’ve had to do 2 presentations this year for my communications class.
The role of a coordinator can become hectic. What is your experience with handling stressful situations when it’s necessary to multitask?
our coordinator’s ability to multitask is a must, and you need to find a candidate capable of taking on this type of stress successfully. This requires an ability to identify the most important tasks and balance speed with quality. This allows your business to maximize potential as well as complete important projects in a timely fashion. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience handling multiple projects simultaneously
- Comfort level dealing with customers
- Ability to handle high-stress situations well
What is your protocol as coordinator for improving basic office efficiency?
Your office needs to be a well-oiled machine. Especially since the advent of the internet, you’re faced with more competition than ever before. The great news is that you now have access to innovative technological tools to get just about any job done more efficiently. An ideal coordinator should be capable of identifying the tools that can help your office run at maximum efficiency. What to look for in an answer:
