Presenting well in your job interview is one of the most important factors in landing a job. Reading these ideas will help you prepare your individual answers, incorporating your unique skills and experiences.
This article provides the three most important teacher’s job interview tips and reviews some job interview questions for a teacher with tips on answering these questions.
Here are some typical questions that can be asked during the interview:
Interviewing Tips for Teachers
There are three topics of professional questions: qualifications, teaching methods and discipline.
1. Qualifications: Be prepared to list the textbooks you have studied, professors you have studied under, especially if it was someone well known, and any specific additional training. Bring along some notes in case you are given the opportunity to elaborate; have the details handy. Of course, your resume will list the exact university/college and any other courses or programs you have attended, as well as any related job experience.
2. Teaching Style and Methodology: Present the style you hope to work with, or have already used in teaching. Specify the unique aspects, and how it proved successful. Have a lesson plan neatly and clearly written; you can leave it with the interviewer. Discuss your methods of motivating students to listen, take notes, complete homework and study for tests. A clearly defined student’s obligations policy, parental contact system, and extra credit projects will impress the interviewer as well.
3. Discipline: Discuss your disciplinary plans or what worked for your classes in the past. How did/will you begin the class on the first day of the year? Maintain order on a daily basis? Ensure class work and homework are completed? Motivate students to study and perform well on tests? Be as specific, yet brief, as possible.
Tips for answering Teacher Interview Questions
Study the examples below, then prepare and rehearse your personal responses. Remember to focus on the impressive aspects of your background, and to be succinct.
► Where have you completed your teaching courses?
I completed by graduation from ABC college. Post-graduation, I pursued a degree in education and completed the degree in the given EFC time frame. I have also taken a special course that enables me to interact better with children as well as young adults in university.
► Where do you think reasoning should end and discipline should begin?
Every child is different and therefore the way to teach them varies as well. Of course, they are all in one class, so there must be some uniformity. When order needs to be restored, I must consider well – and quickly. Some children realize their mistake even with a single admonishment while others require more serious measures to understand the unsuitability of their activities. In general, there is not too much time to reason with children in class, as it disturbs the tempo of the class. I may try to speak with children during recess or after class if explanations are in order. Therefore, while it is of utmost importance to have a clear disciplinary plan, I realize I may have to be creative and flexible in some cases.
► What are your strengths as a teacher?
As a teacher, I would say that patience is my biggest strength, and this strength has allowed me to be very successful in my profession. I also think that my cool and calm manner leaves an impact on the children, which makes me approachable, while my knowledge on the subject generates an automatic interest for the children. I believe calmness begets calmness; children imitate what they see.
► What are some of the methods that you use to discipline the children?
Methods of disciplining children depend on many factors – type of child, type of the offense that has been committed, time of day, time of previous offense and more. Sometimes, the fear of discipline is enough for a child. Such a child does not require more discipline per se. Others need a heavier hand. I try to work with positive as much as possible, but if pressed to bring discipline into the picture, I would first begin with assigning after-school work to the child and increase it as the seriousness of the act increases. If a few such assignments do not help and I think that things are getting out of hand, I would call the parents and inform them of the scenario in school, and work on a plan. If necessary, we would consult the principal.
Other interviewing questions for teachers
Review these carefully and compose answers based on topics discussed above and in other articles. Consult with a friend, and rehearse your replies. Keep in mind the guidelines and suggestions above.
- First, tell us about yourself. Tell us about your experiences working with children.
- Your teaching philosophy – Why do you want this job? Why Did You Choose This Career? Why Should We Hire You?
- How do you encourage creativity and higher-order thinking?
- Describe the way you measure children’s performance.
- Describe the methods of teaching you use – homework, Internet, team learning etc.
- How do you familiarize children with your classroom rules?
- Describe how you would handle unruly situations such as – hitting, throwing things, foul language etc.
- What would you do if a student complained in class about an assignment you’ve given?
Job Interviews for Teachers