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8 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers that Get the Job
Teacher interview questions and answers to prepare for success. Be ready to impress as the best person for the teacher job opportunity and secure the teaching position you want.
Expect teacher interview questions that explore your experience in:
- classroom management and discipline
- student motivation and relationships
- parent interaction and communication
These are key areas of responsibility in any teaching position and you can expect to be asked a number of questions that evaluate your skills and abilities in these areas.
These answer guidelines will help you to prepare winning interview answers that relate directly to your own work experiences.
Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Classroom management and discipline
1. How have you handled a situation where a student is consistently late to your class?
This teacher interview question is designed to see how you handle a problem in your classroom. Your answer should highlight your ability to deal immediately with a potential issue in a calm and controlled manner.
Include details about:
- questioning the student to find out the underlying cause of the problem
- explaining the negative impact of his/her behavior to the student
- coming to an agreed commitment to appropriate behavior in the future
2. How do you handle discipline problems in the classroom? Give me an example.
Teachers regularly experience various types of disruptive student behavior, from the frustrating but relatively minor problem of talking during class, to more challenging problems, like students confronting the authority of the teacher.
Provide a specific example and in your answer show your ability to have planned ahead for such instances by having measures in place and a clear action plan to deal with serious discipline problems.
Support any disciplinary action you took with reasons as to why it was effective and why you used it. The interviewers are looking for an effective classroom behavior management plan.
3. Describe your discipline philosophy.
With teacher interview questions and answers like this it is a good idea to have a well organized statement about your approach to discipline.
Your interview answer will depend on your teaching style, the position (including age group) you are interviewing for and your past experience.
Do some research about this school or district's approach to discipline so that you are on the same page with your answer. Provide a clear and concise statement and back it up with examples.
Example interview answer:
"The purpose of discipline is to facilitate learning and foster better relationships and respect between the students. It is also intended to help students become more self-directed, self-disciplined and accountable for their behavior.
I have found that students respond poorly to forceful discipline but well to discipline that is helpful. My philosophy is to provide clear limits and rules that are communicated to the students so that they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. The rules are discussed and agreed upon to encourage accountability from the students......."
4. Tell me about your classroom management style.
Your answer should demonstrate how you achieve effective student management and control. Include aspects such as:
- monitoring
- modeling
- environmental control
- reinforcement
Explain how you are able to adapt your style according to the situation. Provide examples. How to answer Describe your teaching style
Classroom management and discipline interview answer
Teacher interview questions - student relationships
5. Tell me about a student who was not progressing satisfactorily in your class, what steps did you take?
This question explores your ability to foster motivation in students. Provide a specific example and demonstrate why it worked for this particular student
Support your answer by describing other instances where you managed to motivate and encourage students using different methods.
Focus on:
- analyzing each situation and developing an understanding of the student's issues
- using the most appropriate method and resources to deal with the situation
- the outcome of your action
6. How do you build rapport with your class?
Teacher interview questions and answers about establishing rapport should include an understanding of the role of rapport in contributing to effective teaching.
Demonstrate what behaviors you use to develop rapport such as:
- a sense of humor
- showing interest in the students
- availability
- encouragement
- relating lessons in everyday terms
- using examples that are relevant to the students
Give examples of how you have demonstrated these behaviors in the classroom such as finding out something about your students' interests, hobbies, and aspirations.
7. How do you give your students recognition and positive reinforcement?
Focus on developing self-worth by providing honest and effective encouragement and valuation.
Include aspects such as:
- acknowledging the student's efforts as well as accomplishments
- the words and language you use
- awareness of your body language
- adapting the reinforcement to meet the particular needs of the student
Provide specific examples to support your answer.
Teaching interview questions - parent interaction
8. How do you communicate with a parent about a student's performance?
Interview answers should demonstrate your ability:
- to work together with parents to help and assist students
- to encourage parents to provide the right support and environment for optimal learning
- to remain non-defensive and positive
Again support your answer with examples.
How to prepare for a teaching interview
Use these interview questions for teachers guides to be the best prepared teaching job candidate.
How to prepare your teacher portfolio
Frequently-asked teacher interview questions and answers
What are your professional goals?
How do you develop your daily lesson plan?
What are the top skills for a teacher?
Teacher job competencies will be explored using teaching behavioral interview questions
What questions should I ask in my teaching job interview?
Know the right questions to ask in your teaching interview. You can use this list of smart teaching interview questions to ask
Asking the right questions in your interview sets you apart as a committed job candidate who has spent time preparing for the interview.
Don't miss these teacher interview questions and answers
Elementary teacher interview questions
Special education teacher interview questions
Preschool teacher interview questions
What to do after your teacher job interview
Always follow up after the interview with a thank you letter. Use the sample teacher interview thank you letter to help you with this.
