Interview Questions for Teachers 

The 2009 AAEE Job Search Handbook for Educators lists these INTERVIEW QUESTIONS every teacher candidate should be ready to answer.  

The interview is the single most important factor in the hiring process. To be competitive, it is important that you are prepared to respond to potential employers' questions and discussion topics.

Take the time to think about your answers to these questions that may be part of your next interview. Where possible, use concrete examples from your educational and work experiences.

1.	Why do you want to teach?
2.	What is your philosophy of education?
3.	If students are having difficulty learning a skill or concept, what do you do?
4.	Describe your style of teaching.
5.	How would you become involved in school/community activities?
6.	What do you plan to be doing in 5 years? How does this position fit your career goals?
7.	Describe your student teaching experiences.
8.	What was your biggest problem in student teaching? How did you resolve it?
9.	What three words would your students use to describe you as a teacher?
10.	How do you individualize your teaching?
11.	What techniques would you use to keep students actively involved and motivated during a lesson?
12.	What are the rules of your classroom? How are they established?
13.	What are the qualities of an excellent teacher? Which of these do you have?
14.	Some of your students always finish assignments early. How do you deal with the free time that they have?
15.	How would you work with students who perform below grade level, especially those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds?
16.	What coursework have you taken that you feel has made you an especially competent teacher?
17.	How would you use teacher aides and parent volunteers in your classroom?
18.	Why/not are parent-teacher conferences important?
19.	Why do you want to work in our district?
20.	What materials have you used that you find most effective for slow learners? For quick learners?
21.	Why should our district hire you?
22.	Describe an ideal classroom.
23.	Describe the types of quizzes and tests that you give. In a grading period, what types of evaluations comprise your grade report?
24.	A student is consistently late to your class. How do handle that?
25.	What would you do about a student who refused to do the work you assigned?
26.	How would you handle a student who continually "acted up" in your class?
27.	How do you engage a parent in the education of her/his child?
28.	How should a student's educational achievement and progress be measured?
29.	What do you expect from your supervisor?
30.	Explain your use of technology in the classroom.

Questions You Might Ask about Jobs in Education
	What is the teacher/student ratio in your district?
	How many classes a day will I be expected to teach?
	What types of school activities promote parent-teacher-student interaction?
	Tell me about the students who attend this school.
	What textbooks does the district use in this subject area?
	What discipline procedures does the district use?
	How does your school use teacher aides or parent volunteers?
	What is the district statement of educational mission or philosophy?
	How are teachers assigned to extracurricular activities? Is compensation provided?
	What issues are important in this community and in this district?

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