Teacher Interview Questions

Teacher interview questions:

When conducting interviews with potential teachers for your elementary, middle, or high school, it’s crucial to tailor your questions to the specific needs of each classroom. Focus on inquiries that delve into their proven experience with the grade level and subject matter as outlined in the job description.

For instance, when seeking an English teacher, utilize targeted English teacher interview questions. These might include inquiries like, ‘Where would you initiate teaching English to students who are new to the subject?’ Similarly, for teachers specializing in specific subjects, inquire about their personal experience and passion for that subject. For example, you could ask, ‘What was the most recent piece of French literature you’ve read?’ to gauge the motivation of French language teachers.

In the United States, adherence to state, local, and national standards is increasingly significant, as are standardized tests. Exceptional candidates will provide sample lesson plans that demonstrate how their teaching strategies align with these standards.

When selecting questions for teacher interviews, aim to uncover aspects that aren’t readily apparent from candidates’ resumes. Seek to understand why they are interested in your school, the unique qualities they can bring to your team, and what motivates them as educators. This approach also helps assess their interpersonal skills, including their methods for student discipline, communication with parents, and collaboration with leadership to foster a positive learning environment.

To assist in evaluating these vital skills, we have compiled a set of effective teacher interview questions to pose to candidates. Keep in mind that many of the questions in this list can also be applied as substitute teacher interview questions, as similar standards apply to substitute teachers.

Operational and Situational questions:

• When did you make the decision to pursue a career in teaching, and what motivated you to choose this profession?
• Why are you interested in teaching this specific grade level?
• How do you encourage active classroom participation among students?
• Share an experience when you had to handle a disciplinary issue with a student and describe how you managed it.
• Describe an instance when you had to engage with an upset parent and how you navigated the situation.
• What aspects of teaching [subject] do you find most appealing?
• Could you share the subject you find the least engaging to teach and describe how you’ve managed to effectively teach it despite any initial lack of interest?
• During your student years, which clubs or organizations were you involved in?
• Are you open to coaching or advising extracurricular activities, and if so, which ones and why?
• Provide details about a recent lesson plan you developed and explain how it informs your teaching approach.
• How do your lesson plans ensure alignment with state standards in your teaching?
• In preparing students for standardized assessments, what strategies do you employ?
• As a teacher, how do you contribute to creating a positive and safe learning environment for your students?
• Describe a situation in which you disagreed with a significant decision made by school leadership and how you responded to it.
• How did you find your visit to our school, and what aspects make you want to join our team?
• Could you share the teaching methods that have proven effective for conveying your subject matter to this grade level?
• Describe your experience with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and how you ensure the needs of students with IEPs are met in your classroom.
• What is your communication approach with parents, and which methods have yielded positive results for you?