Review common questions and prepare thoughtful, reflective answers. Being well-prepared can significantly improve your chances of success as well as make you feel more confident going into the interview. Here are a few key questions you should be able to answer without hesitation, as well as some pointers on how to craft your response.

Why do you want to become a teacher?

You can guarantee that this question will be asked during the interview process. This question lets interviewers understand your passion and reasoning for becoming a teacher. This is the time to talk about any inspirational teachers you’ve had, your favorite subject, or any struggles you had as a child in school that you had to overcome. Being open and honest with the interview panel will allow them to see your personal side. Here is an example.

“I want to become a teacher because I want to make a difference in the lives of our youth. I have a passion for education and to be given the opportunity to shape the lives of young people sounds incredibly rewarding.” 

What is your method of classroom management?

Take some time to think about how you would like to handle classroom management. The interviewer is looking to see that you have put thought into an effective classroom management plan and have specific strategies that you plan to employ once in the position. Depending on your own beliefs as well as the age of your students, everyone’s method may look a little different. Here is an example.

“My classroom management plan starts by building a strong relationship with my students, setting clear rules and expectations, and maintaining a consistent routine. My classroom will be an inclusive, engaging learning environment where all students will feel valued. To address any behavioral issues, I will implement positive reinforcement strategies and use restorative practices to help students reflect on their actions.”

How will you incorporate technology?

Integrating technology into today’s education is essential. The interviewer is looking to see how familiar you are with technology and wants to know what specific pieces you will use in your classroom. Research what the school district already uses and become familiar with each tech tool. If you plan on using something they don’t have, make sure you know how to use it and how the school can get it. Here is an example of how you can answer this type of question.

“I would incorporate a variety of different pieces of technology into my classroom. The first tool would be a Smartboard. I would use the apps Class Dojo and Go Noodle. I’ve used these pieces of technology in the past and know firsthand the wonderful benefits they produce. The second piece of technology I will use in my classroom is an iPad or a Chrome Book. I will use several different apps, such as Google Classroom and Flip, to help enhance my students’ learning throughout the day. Lastly, I would like a class to set of tablets. If this is not feasible for the school district, then I will go to Donorschoose.org to try and get a free set.”

Describe a challenging teaching experience and how you handled it?

This question is testing your problem-solving skills and looking to see how resilient you are. Share a specific example of a challenge you faced while student teaching or working with children and discuss the steps you took to overcome that challenge. Here is an example.

“During my student teaching experience, I dealt with a consistently disruptive student. After several failed strategies in the classroom, I arranged a meeting with the parents. We discussed the changes in behavior and developed a plan together that included strategies both at home and in the classroom. This collaborative approach led to the support the child needed and improved behavior both at home and in school.”

How will you meet the needs of all students?

Today’s teachers are expected to meet the needs of each individual student. This question is looking for how you will specifically appeal to different learning styles. Here is an example of how to answer this question.

“To meet the needs of all students, I will differentiate instruction and regularly assess students and get their feedback. I will tailor my teaching strategies to accommodate the diverse learning styles and abilities of each student to ensure a personalized learning experience. Additionally, I will use assessment and student feedback to gauge student learning and understanding.”

If the interview panel asks a follow-up question on what specific strategies you will use to differentiate learning, make sure you have a few strategies, such as choice boards, flexible grouping, or tiered assignments.

A few other questions you should prep to ace your interview are:

• What is your teaching philosophy?
• What is your approach to communicating with parents?
• Why do you want to work in this school district?
• How do you access student learning?

As long as you’re well-prepared and honest with your answers, you should have a successful interview. Think of a few insightful questions you ask them during your interview, such as:

• What kinds of technology resources are available for teachers?
• How does this school support professional development for teachers?

This will help demonstrate your interest in the position and give you an idea of whether this school district is the right fit for you. Good luck! You got this!

The post Acing Your Interview: Essential Teacher Interview Questions and Answers appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Do Your Research

Researching the school and division with which you are interviewing is a solid investment in time. Taking time to understand the mission, vision, key resources, demographics, and academic achievement data of a school can be very helpful in the interview process. Responses will appear more tailored so the employer will see you as invested and knowledgeable. You will be able to discuss the consistencies between the school’s mission/vision and your own educational philosophies. Further, you can share how you plan to utilize curriculum and technological resources available within the school district to their fullest potential in the classroom. You can share innovative ideas as to how you will use the available resources.

Finally, understanding the demographics and academic achievement history of the school are essential to the interview and potential employment within the school. Researching the school’s demographics shows a prospective employer that you have a focus on student success. To work within a school, it is essential for a new teacher to build effective relationships with all community stakeholders. These stakeholders include students’ families. Understanding where students come from, both the assets and challenges, helps build teaching lessons that are tailored and most effective. Further, understanding where students come from builds empathy.

Once you show understanding of the prospective students, you can share your knowledge of school achievement data. Within the interview, praise the school for its successes and share how you would like to become a member of the team. Next, share some instructional ideas as to how you will become an asset by building capacity to overcome weaknesses. Share these ideas without directly pointing out school or district weaknesses. An example would be to make comments like “most schools struggle with,” and share how you can help them overcome these struggles.

Prepare Your Portfolio

With the average teacher interview being one hour or less in length, it is important to fill the application and portfolio with selling points. You need to sell yourself as the best candidate so this is not a time for modesty. Getting a teaching job starts well in advance of the actual interview.

Spending time making your portfolio organized and professional is vital. Although it is important to have your portfolio readily available, due to time constraints, some districts may not spend extensive time examining the portfolio during the actual interview. The portfolio’s content should make it apparent that you have a student-first focus with data showing how lessons you have implemented have led to student growth and achievement.

Although the portfolio is important, the resume is likely more essential. The resume should be clear, organized, and professional. Try not to include “cute” or irrelevant information. Like the portfolio, the resume should focus on awards and certifications that are applicable to teaching. Earn credentials and work toward awards that make you a clear asset to a prospective division. Focus on work ethic, teamwork, and student growth.

Further, show that you are effective in collaboration with a multitude of stakeholders. You need to present yourself as a team player. Tests and coursework that lead to additional teaching certifications are valuable. Having multiple certifications makes you more viable as school leaders can fill needs within the school that can change yearly.

Know Why You’re a Good Fit

Being the right fit for a position or a school is an essential piece of the hiring puzzle that a principal is trying to solve. Above all, remain positive and student-focused during the interview. Avoid negative talk about current educational practices, student demographics and related academic achievement, and other schools or districts. A principal wants a teacher who can work within the team, build productive relationships with all stakeholder groups, and has positive energy that will impact student achievement. Elaborate on your certifications and present yourself as a team player that will impact the entire school. Further, present yourself as focused, dedicated, and positive. A principal does not want to hire a teacher that will increase drama in the building.

Get Ready for Tough Questions

As the interview nears, look up potential interview questions. Many times a friend, colleague, or college mentor will practice the interview process with you. The toughest questions normally relate to how you will improve academic achievement, handle classroom management, and build effective relationships within the community.

As a teaching candidate, prepare answers to these questions prior to the interview. The answers should reveal that you are innovative and student-focused. You should present with eloquence and confidence but not arrogance. In answering these questions, include differentiation, remediation practices, small-group instruction, and building positive relationships to establish yourself within the community and handle discipline in a proactive manner. Relationships are the most important piece. An administrator knows he or she can teach skills but cannot change a person. Speak to your ability to build relationships when addressing tough questions.

Be Prepared to Talk About Your Teaching Strategies

When speaking about teaching strategies, continue the student-first focus. Detail the importance of differentiation, remediation, and small-group instruction. Show that you understand the importance of these three key concepts. Further, speak to how you will use formative and summative data to assess your teaching practices. Time is a valuable resource in education so all educators should be making data-driven decisions. Formative data should be used to assess mastery and drive future instruction along the journey.

Know How to Present Yourself

At the interview, you should present yourself as eloquent and professional. Body language should reinforce that you are relatable and approachable. Try to smile and make eye contact. Dress professionally as impressions are very important. Teaching is a professional career so your appearance should reflect that in the interview.

The importance of how you present yourself in public normally starts well in advance of the interview. For many schools, your “true” interview begins with how you handle observation hours and internships within the school. These periods give a much more detailed representation of you as a potential teacher. During these times, show tremendous work ethic, display professionalism, and show that you are an asset to the school’s future.

The post How to Prepare for Your Teacher Interview appeared first on Graduate Programs for Educators.

Before Applying

Before applying for a position that may seem appealing, it is a good idea to do your homework in regards to the district’s atmosphere. Look over the district’s website and gain access to any social media platforms that may be used. Take an interest in what programs are being used and read over the past board meeting minutes. If at all possible, “Zoom” into a board meeting to grasp what concerns are in the district or any initiatives the district may be interested in starting. Gaining an understanding of what the schools mission statement is and knowing what their vision is will greatly enhance and prepare you before even receiving a call for an interview.

After doing your homework, take the time to really reflect on all that you have read about the district. Are you familiar with any of the district programs that they use? Are you comfortable with the size of the school you are applying to teach in? Do you know of anyone that may have children that attend the district, or know of someone that works for the district that you could reach out to and comfortably ask questions? The more equipped you are with details of the district, the better you will be able to answer any interview questions.

When You’re Applying

There are times when a candidate applies for a position; there may be 50 other candidates that also have applied. There are other times when someone may be one of four candidates that have applied for a job. Regardless as to how many candidates there are, you want to stand out.

Most districts require an application form. Typically, this could take a good bit of time to fill out, but it most certainly is worth it. If anything is left blank, that sends the interview committee the message that you didn’t put the time and effort into completing the essay required at the end of the packet, or you just didn’t feel like uploading any letters of recommendation. The more information that you can provide in this application process, the better.

Keep in mind, people on the committee typically do not know you. They are getting to know you just by what you have submitted. If you are in a large pool of candidates and there are missing documents, you will never make it to the top of the applicant pile. Take your time, fill out the entire packet, make sure your letters of recommendation are current and from professionals within the education field, and always make sure you do not have typos in your cover letter or resume. Your cover letter is typically the very first thing that anyone reads about you. Having typos or information that is not current can also bump you to the bottom of the pile.

During the Interview

The best piece of advice to take with you during an interview is to take your time. You have been able to successfully land an interview, and now is your time to shine. Do the best you can to be relaxed and remember this is the only chance you will get to make a first impression. Breathe, take water along, and give the best “real-life” responses as opposed to textbook answers.

Everyone interviewing has generally the same base qualifications. Allow the interview committee to get to know you. Remember, just as you are going through this process and trying to land the perfect job, the interview committee is trying to find someone that will be a great fit for their school and better enhance their building. They may ask you questions about your instructional practices or professional development accomplishments, such as starting a PLN. You could also share department or school-wide initiatives or projects you’ve spearheaded.

Make sure you have provided enough time to arrive early to your interview. Being prompt is an expectation, but arriving early sets the tone that you take this seriously. Be sure to dress your best and look professional. Appearance speaks volumes when walking into an interview. Do not hesitate to shake hands with everyone sitting around the table. This is something that very few people do, but this makes a huge impression on those that are interviewing the candidates. Sit down, relax, and answer the questions in a calm and meaningful way. Connect the questions to experiences you have had and truly sell yourself. Remember, anyone can give a textbook answer, but the best candidate will make a connection with the committee and prove that they are the best fit for the position.

As the interview concludes, always have questions ready. Asking about salary or benefits is probably better left for a later time. This is also something that the human resources person can answer for you after the offer has been made to you. Ask questions that show you are knowledgeable about the district or position but at the same time want to know what the most important qualities are for you to excel in this role. For your own peace of mind, you may also want to ask what the turn-around time is in making a decision before you thank everyone for their time.

After the Interview

Once the interview has ended, be sure to follow up with an email to all those who interviewed you. If you are unsure of everyone’s name, email the administrator who led the interview. Thank them for their time and let them know that you are looking forward to hearing from their school in the near future. Be sure that you read the email over before hitting the send button. You want to be certain that it is grammatically correct and free of typos.

As time passes, you may not hear anything back; do not beat yourself up if this happens. Instead, take time to reflect on what went well and what you could possibly improve on. You never know what districts may be looking for. One thing is certain though: eventually the perfect job will find you and it will be well worth the process.

*Updated November, 2020

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