How to Prepare for the 25 Most Common Teacher Interview Questions - By: Rachel Duhon

You’re nervous and excited at the same time. You’ve just been asked to come to the school for an interview. Did you practice the most common teacher interview questions? Do you even know what they are? You reach for the door and the first thing that runs through your mind is:

“Am I prepared for this interview?”

First of all, this should not be the first thing that rolls through your mind. You should feel confident and utterly prepared because it will show through your body language and your responses to questions. The best way to prepare is to know ahead of time what will be asked, and answer those questions like a ninja teacher interviewee!

The best thing you can do is to practice with a partner by reviewing these questions together and crafting responses that last for 1-2 minutes. You want to always have a story or example for many of the questions because the interviewer will ask you for specific examples.

Example:
Question: “Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?”

How to respond: Paint a story about your favorite teacher who helped you in the 7th grade with your history project or how you loved science because your 10th grade biology teacher made learning biology fun for all of his students. You could explain how you were the kid who always tutored the neighborhood kids and how you always felt rewarded by helping others.

Answering these questions not only make you seem less like a robot, but allow the interviewer to see your personality, your passions, and learn a little bit about you in the process.

Always tell a story during your interview.

Always make it personal.

Always be positive. Even if you are telling a story with negative elements, either avoid the negative parts or give it a positive spin.
The best way to deliver a superb interview is to be prepared.

I’ve compiled a list of the top 25 questions you and your interviewing partner must review together.

First, you will most likely be asked general questions about your background and why you are in the room.

(1.) Tell us about yourself.

(2.) Why do you want to teach in our school/district?

(3.) Describe your ideal classroom environment

(4.) Tell us about your previous teaching experience?

(5.) Who or what inspired you to become a teacher?

Then, you may be asked several questions regarding the children that you will be teaching.

(6.) What grade/age/subject do you want to teach?

(7.) How do you encourage positive reinforcement with your students?

(8.) How do you utilize higher-order thinking skills in your classroom?

(9.) How do you ensure that your students are reaching the state and national standards?

(10.) How do you assess student performance in your classroom?

You will need to answer questions about communicating with parents, other teachers, administrators, and your students, especially with regard to classroom management and student behavior.

(11.) How do you communicate with parents/administrators/other teachers?

(12.) Describe your philosophy on classroom management.

(13.) What are your behavior expectations for students?

The interviewer will want to know more about who you are as a person. Never say anything about your weaknesses. Tell the interviewer that there is nothing that could interfere with you doing a fantastic job at their school.

(14.) What are your strengths?

(15.) What are your weaknesses?

(16.) Where do you plan to be five years from now?

(17.) How do you integrate technology into your classroom?

Principals will ask you about reaching all the needs of the different students in your classroom.

(18.) How do you implement differentiated instruction?

(19.) How do you reach your English language learners?

(20.) How do you encourage literacy in your classroom?

(21.) What unique skills will you bring to this school if we hire you?

(22.) How do you use cooperative learning in your classroom?

(23.) How can you ensure you are meeting the needs of the gifted and talented student?

(24.) How can you ensure you are meeting the needs of the special education student?

(25.) Are you available to coach a sport or sponsor a club?

By preparing for these interview questions, you are already setting yourself ahead of the pack. Many teachers don’t know how to answer the questions correctly, and they assume that their teaching experience will speak for itself. I have seen teachers without any experience get teaching positions over others with several years of experience simply because these new teachers sell themselves better than others in the interview. Do the same, and land that job by being the most prepared.

About the Author

Rachel Duhon is an educator and writer specializing in teaching and helping others find their dream teaching job. To read articles on getting a teaching job, check out her latest website at Getting a Teaching Job, where she provides information and motivation for teachers and those looking for teaching jobs.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Rachel-Duhon/187506

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