Some Questions You Could be Asked in Your Teaching Job Interview

Practicing answers to the following questions for your teacher interview with a partner will help to insure that your interview goes smoothly.

How do you (or do you intend to) plan for the first day of school?
The first days of school are some of the most important in developing a strong and stable learning environment. Be as specific as possible. Presenting a syllabus and/or a class handbook that can be modified for the school will be a big plus.

What is one thing that you are proud of as a teacher? What is one thing that you are proud of as a person?
Administrators want to hear of your accomplishments and how they drive you. They also want to know that you are a well-rounded person with lots of interests.

What do you do to establish authority in the classroom?
Give specifics on your discipline techniques, how you monitor your classroom, and how you present your material.

Under which circumstances will you refer a student to the office?
Administrators want to know that you will not rely on them as the main source of discipline in your classroom. They are extremely busy and want to be assured that you are the one in control of your classroom. That being said, they also want to know that you will use or ask for their assistance in discipline when you feel like you are getting in over your head.

How often do you contact parents? Why do you contact parents? What methods do you use to contact parents?
Administrators want to know that you are contacting parents of potential problems with students grades to enlist their help and keep them informed BEFORE seeing it on the report card. Contacting parents for positive things is also a wonderful thing to mention in an interview.

What are different techniques that you use for assessment?
Administrators want to hear that you have a variety of assessment methods up your sleeve to insure that you are meeting all modalities of the students and that you are promoting authentic learning.

How do you encourage reluctant learners?
As teachers, we aim for the success of all students. It does not mean that all students will come to us with the same level of interest, however. Administrators want to know that you address those reluctant learners rather than letting them "fall through the cracks."

Do you think it is important to develop a rapport with students? If so, why? How do you develop a rapport with students?
Teachers that develop a rapport with students while maintaining a level of authority have better success in the classroom.

How do you deal with the noise level in your classroom?
Administrators want to know that you have a method of controlling the noise in your room, especially during activity times. Make sure that you have a plan in place before you answer this question.

Are you objective person? How is this important in the teaching profession?
Remaining an objective person is crucial to teaching. Give an example of a time that you had to, and did remain objective in the class.