Interviewing is an important step in the job search process. Interviews are crucial for teachers because they need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Planning carefully for your upcoming interview can make you feel assured and ready. Here are 50 inquiries that a hiring manager might pose to you in a teacher interview.
Top 20 Teacher Assistant Interview Questions and Answers for 2022
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:
Request informational interviews with school contacts
It’s possible that as a teacher, you have connections at the school where you’re interviewing. If they’re willing, it might be beneficial to sit down with them and discuss the school with them as well as ask for advice on how to handle the interview. Additionally, you might determine whether you think the institution is a good fit for you.
General teaching interview questions
These inquiries aid an interviewer in gaining insight into your character, interest in the job, and background:
Top teacher interview questions and answers
1. Tell us about yourself
You must demonstrate that you possess the tenacity, resolve, enthusiasm, and mindset necessary to succeed as a teacher. Make sure to review the job description and customize your responses to the essential components of the position.
Sample answer:
“I am a vivacious individual with a positive outlook on life.” I enjoy my work and get a great deal of satisfaction from watching my students change and advance as people.
I feel that my job is being done quite well when I have a positive impact on their future. I can express myself clearly in writing and verbally, and I enjoy organizing and planning things well.
I can work under pressure and switch to any useful teaching strategy when necessary to consistently produce favorable results. I am aware of the bigger picture and the pressures the school is under.
In order to continuously develop both professionally and personally, I work on myself and frequently use effective behavior management techniques in the classroom. ”.
2. Why did you become a teacher?
This is one of the most common questions asked. Interviewers want to know if your inevitable frustrations motivate you to teach.
“I want to help people” will not work. Find something concrete and relatable, especially from experience, that demonstrates your unparalleled drive.
Sample answer:
When I was in primary three, reading was very important to me. Ms. Mary, our teacher, introduced us to a number of wonderful short stories and books. She read to us and helped us with our reading comprehension. Her kindness and patience stoked an insatiable thirst in me that eventually drove me to devour countless books on a wide range of subjects. Her attention changed my outlook on life forever. Since then, I’ve come to realize that I want to follow in her footsteps. ”.
3. Describe your teaching philosophy
Describe your philosophy as something worthy of investment. Although it would be nice if you had something novel to say, the interviewers are not expecting you to tell them something or speak in a manner they haven’t heard before.
Avoid answers such as “I’m very disciplined”. The best answer to this question will incorporate concepts like group projects, classroom participation, exercises, and effective behavior management. You must exhibit the ability to determine when a teaching approach is suitable for the topic or lesson at hand. You have to be flexible.
Sample answer:
“My style of teaching is fundamentally centred on class engagement. To involve everyone and make the material as interesting as possible, I modify my teaching approach.
I enjoy supporting my points with vibrant PowerPoint slides, videos, and group activities. My observations show that doing this significantly raises students’ interests and improves learning in general.
I take behavior modification seriously, and I prioritize respect, action, and discipline.
Finally, I have a broad-based, approachable teaching style that is sufficiently adaptable to accommodate a variety of learning styles. ”.
4. How much information about your students do you need to have in order to best help them?
Be truthful in your response, but also try to find points of agreement.
Sample answer:
“I make it a point to understand a student’s issues, preferred learning style, and passions.” Kevin was a challenging pupil of mine who disrupted class once. When I followed him to the playground after school, I discovered that he was being bullied. When I told Kevin’s parents about it, they had no idea. Kevin rose to the top of the class and became one of my best students, making the environment more conducive to learning. ”.
5. Why do you want to work for our school?
Interviewers want to know if you really want the job. Find aspects of the school that you like by doing research on it. Visit the school’s website to view the mission, vision, and about us statements. You can talk to teachers who work there as well.
“I respect XYZ school’s belief in teaching the whole child. Your emphasis on character, learning, the environment, and community aligns perfectly with my philosophy. It’s much easier to teach well-rounded students. However, even with the best lesson plan in the universe, a child who is struggling in other areas of life will receive little to no assistance. ”.
6. What frustrates you the most about teaching?
These types of inquiries are designed to gauge your capacity for giving up easily. You have to show your inner strength in answering this.
Sample answer:
“I get the most frustrated with smart kids who are overconfident and don’t work on themselves.” In my previous position, I worked with several children who behaved in this manner and made no effort. I incorporated a research-based method that uses student suggestions as part of the lesson plan. Their test scores increased by 20% in less than three months as a result of increased engagement. ”.
7. How do you evaluate students?
This question examines how you measure your performances. As per usual, describe how your evaluation strategy helped students earn better grades.
Sample answer:
“I evaluate my students using both formal and informal methods, as well as tests and exams,” Additionally, I grade the students’ desk work, recitations, reports, and other in-class assignments. When engaged in classroom activities, Agnes demonstrated a strong conceptual understanding, but she struggled on formal tests. Working closely with her, I discovered she had an undiagnosed vision issue. When Agnes got glasses, her grades increased to reflect her level of understanding in class. ”.
8. Why do we teach science in school?
You will fail if you continue to say “so that they can get good jobs.” Analyze your core motivations for being interested in the topic.
Sample answer:
Our future depends, in my opinion, on people using science to make decisions. Science is the pivot of wonders in our world. Those wonders can push students to improve their learning abilities. Students can go places they never thought they could by learning the sciences. ”.
9. How will you prepare your classroom for the start of the school year?
This looks at your preparedness. First impressions count, and your initial plan reveals a lot about your teaching abilities.
Sample answer:
To help students feel at home and instill a strong sense of excitement in them, “I, first and foremost, try to create a welcoming environment for the kids by labeling desks, posting a welcome sign, and other such things. I then create the ground rules and post a list of requirements and penalties for students to follow in order to help them get off to a good start. ”.
10. In what way can you help our students/school?
Find out everything you can about what the school needs to advance.
Sample answer:
“After looking at the school’s performance in the most recent mathematics competition and the students’ subpar performances, I believe I can improve them significantly with my extensive mathematical knowledge and engaging teaching style, which will properly engage the students in class and prepare them for any upcoming mathematics competitions as well as external examinations. After working with students I helped guide to the mathematics competition finals at XYZ, I think my experience will be extremely helpful here as well. ”.
11. How would you describe your ideal school?
Interviewers are curious about your opinions of their setting, including their school. How the setting and school were intended to appear to students They want to know whether you value a well-kept school and environment.
Sample answer:
“A perfect school is one that has enough resources, tools, and supplies to support students’ development and learning. a school that is tidy, well-maintained, and secure for both students and teachers
Poor school conditions have an impact on the attitudes and abilities of the students. Students who attend a well-kept school will be proud of it and look forward to going there each day. The ideal school has fewer students in each class so that teachers and students can spend more time together. Not a small with many students crammed in. ”.
12. How would you involve the parents of your students?
Parents are themselves from their kids’ academics. This question is asked during interviews to gauge your ability to persuade parents to support their children’s education.
Sample answer:
“Communicating with students’ parents is very important to me. I try to speak with every parent at the start of every session via calls, emails, or any other means I can. I also make sure to frequently send notes to parents about their children’s performances and suggestions for improvement. Additionally, I always make myself accessible so that parents can get in touch with me. Additionally, I intend to develop websites that will give parents access to information about their kids’ regular school activities. This is a strategy to entice parents to take an active role in their kids’ education. ”.
13. What should a teacher avoid?
Recruiters pose this query to learn more about your behavior, particularly in the classroom.
Sample answer:
14. How will you handle a weak student?
Weak students are the more reason a school strives. If a struggling student makes an effort, it improves the school’s morale and recommendations start to flow in. Therefore, you must give responses that are convincing and grounded in reality.
Sample answer:
“I deal with weak students by inspiring them and reassuring them that they are not really weak and possess the necessary skills to be at the top of the class,” I then continue to encourage them by revealing the subjects in which they are most at ease; when students see themselves succeeding in a particular subject, it boosts their confidence and motivates them to work even harder to feel at ease with other subjects. Additionally, I try to work with weak students privately so that I can identify their specific areas of need and provide the necessary time to help them. ”.
15. Are extracurricular activities important?
Sample answer:
“Extracurricular activities are crucial, and students can learn a lot from them,” Extracurricular activities can increase students’ self-confidence, foster teamwork and interpersonal skills, and encourage them to consider other career options. ”.
16. How would you handle a disruptive student that seems gifted?.
These issues come up all the time. Recruiters want to know how you can handle such situations. As usual, answer with instances.
Sample answer:
“Behaving inappropriately can sometimes be a plea for help. I always make an effort to speak with them informally and directly to learn what the issue may be and to see if I can assist in solving it.
If they are just plain bored, I engage them more by assigning them more work to keep them busy so they will be challenged and continue to improve at what they do best. ”.
17. Which extracurricular activities are you interested in participating in after school?
Teachers who are willing to give more of their time and themselves than what their wages cover are always in demand by recruiters.
Sample answer:
“Yes, I can teach students how to play board games like chess, scrabble, sudoku, and other games to help them develop their minds and become sharper. Anytime I’m asked to mentor, coach, or inspire the students in extracurricular activities, I would love to participate. I think these activities are a lot of fun and help the teacher and students’ relationships to grow stronger through the development of trust, friendships, and a nurturing environment.
18. What bulk of homework would you assign?
Because it has been demonstrated that assigning too much homework makes students miserable and keeps them up at night, employers want to know if you would do this. So, keep it a minimum.
Sample answer:
“I try not to give my students too much homework, so I keep my own assignments to a minimum.” As a result, they can spend time with their friends, families, and other people after school. However, there are a few occasions when I can assign more work to students in order to help them practice and master a concept. For instance, long division and multiplication require a lot of practice to master because they are very crucial math concepts. ”.
19. Do you have any questions for us?
Ask any questions you think are important but aren’t covered on the school’s website.
Sample answer:
“What are the remaining steps to getting hired? Are there opportunities for professional development? How soon will I learn the outcome of my interview? Are there resources to help integrate computer technology in the classroom? ”.
20. How do you prepare students for standardized or external exams?.
Performances of students outside of the classroom, particularly in external exams, will not only gauge their potential but also advance the institution as a whole. Employers are curious about your plans for preparing students for these exams.
Sample answer:
“I try to incorporate practice questions into the lessons to help the students get ready for external exams,” I make an effort to incorporate both in-class examples and previous exam questions into my tests and exams. This way, students are being prepared daily. ”.
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.
Why do you want to be a teacher?
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.
What is your teaching philosophy?
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.
How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most helpful to them?
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:
Why do you want to work for our school district?
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.
How can you help our school/students?
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.
What do you find most frustrating about teaching?
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.
Why should we hire you to teach here?
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%.
How would you get your classroom ready for the first day of school?
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 do we teach (science, math, French, etc.) in school?
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.
Download teacher interview questions and answers PDF
We’ve put together teacher interview questions and possible answers for you in PDF format and here is it: download top teacher interview questions and answers (PDF).
Also, see example job application letter for teaching job.
In conclusion, we advise you to thoroughly research the institution by visiting its websites, speaking with teachers who work there, and using any other appropriate methods. This will give you an advantage over any weaknesses their school may have, allowing you to take advantage of them.
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FAQ
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers for teachers?
- Why are you interested in teaching at this school?
- What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
- How do you use technology in the classroom?
- If a student is in danger of failing your class, what would you do?
- What verbs or nouns best describe your contribution to the classroom?
What are the 7 most common interview questions and answers for teachers?
- Why do you want to teach? …
- What makes you a good fit for this school? …
- What characteristics do students want their teachers to possess? …
- How does a teacher’s personality affect their success? …
- What part does discipline play in education, and what method do you use?
What are the most common interview questions for teachers?
- What are your strengths as a teacher?
- What’s your biggest weakness as a teacher?
- How do you interact with parents?
- Why did you leave your last teaching (or other) job?
- What’s your educational background?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- How do you handle classroom management?
How can I prepare for teacher interview questions and answers?
- Tips for answering interview questions. …
- Why do you want to be a teacher? …
- Why do you want to work in our school? …
- How will you manage challenges at work? …
- What experience do you have in schools? …
- What fundamental abilities and characteristics do students look for in teachers?
