These teacher interview questions and answers will make the interviewers ask you a question:

“When can you start?”

They cover popular high school interview questions, special education teacher interview questions,
substitute or assistant teacher interview questions, and more.

1. Why do you want to be a teacher?

“Why did you become a teacher?” is the most common of all interview questions for teachers.

Administrators want to know you’re motivated to work through inevitable frustrations. And believe me,
they’ve heard every generic answer in the books.

“Because I want to help people” won’t work. Find something specific that shows you’re motivated like no
other.

Example Answer

I had trouble reading as a child My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Paulette, introduced us to an amazing list of
short stories and books. She read to us and worked with us on reading comprehension. Her care
switched on an unquenchable thirst that led me to read thousands of books on topics as diverse as
history, biology, sociology, and nature. Mrs. Paulette’s attention forever changed my outlook on life. Since
then, I’ve known I wanted to do exactly what she did—to give children tools to last for their entire lives.

2. What is your teaching philosophy?

Teacher interview questions like this ask, “Are you a good fit for our school?” It’s the teaching equivalent
of “tell me about yourself.”

But—

Don’t answer elementary teacher interview questions for an unstructured school with, “I believe in
structured learning.”

Take the time to learn the school’s philosophy before the interview.

Example Answer

I believe in teaching to each student’s passion. For instance, in one kindergarten class, my students had
trouble with punctuation. I observed that one student, Mary, suddenly got excited about apostrophes. I
fueled her passion with a big book on punctuation. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and soon the entire
class was asking bright and animated questions. Whenever possible, I try to deliver structured lessons in
an unstructured way like this.

That answer uses the S.T.A.R. approach to teaching interview questions. It shows a Situation, a Task, an
Action, and a Result.

3. How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most helpful to them?

This is another of those interview questions for teachers that depends on the school’s philosophy.

One administrator might think it’s crucial to know every detail. Another might say, “A doctor doesn’t need
to know her patient’s favorite ice cream flavor.”
Be honest, but find common ground, as in this teaching interview questions answer:
 Example Answer

I need to know a student’s learning styles, passions, and challenges. One difficult student, Tim, was
disruptive in class. I joined him on the playground on and off. It turned out he was being bullied after
school by his brother’s friends. I spoke with Tim’s parents, and they had no idea. Tim became my star
student, and as a result, my whole class got quieter and easier to teach.

How to Prepare for a Teaching Interview:

 Research the school online and talk to teachers. Learn their challenges.
 Brainstorm times you’ve solved problems like theirs.
 Practice sample teacher interview questions. Write up your answers and drill with 3x5 cards.
When possible, describe a problem you once faced, an action you took, and a positive result for
your school or student(s).
 Gather materials like a lesson plan, Praxis scores, and transcripts. Include images as proof of
your accomplishments.

4. Why do you want to work for our school district?

Administrators want to know if you really want this job.

So—find things you love about the school.

Talk to teachers who work there. Check out the school’s website, mission statement, and “About Us”
page.

Finally, take some time to think of how you fit.

Example Answer

I respect Snowy Peaks High’s belief in teaching to the whole child. Your focus on academics, character,
community, and nature fit perfectly with my own philosophy. It’s easier to teach well-rounded students.
The best lesson plan in the world can’t help a child who’s struggling in all other areas of life.

5. How can you help our school/students?

Teacher interview questions like this don’t have to make you blink.

Remember:

Take the time to learn the school’s needs first.

The example below is for a school with a high percentage of disruptive students.

Example Answer

I’ve talked to several of your teachers and heard about their challenges with classroom management. My
own classroom management skills are highly developed. I’ve taken 18 continuing education credits in
class management from the University of Phoenix’s online program. I was commended at my last school
after fully engaging a class with over 25% disruptive students. I used a mix of nonverbal cues, transition
cues, timeouts, and several other kernel-based strategies. I believe I can be just as effective here.

6. What do you find most frustrating about teaching?

Teaching interview questions like this attempt to see if you are easily discouraged.
 So—your answer has to show your inner strength.

Example Answer

I get very frustrated with bright kids who become overconfident and don’t apply themselves. There’s
nothing sadder or more common than wasted potential. At my last position, I worked with several children
who weren’t trying. I implemented a research-based program to incorporate student ideas into the lesson
plan. The addition of their thoughts created more complete engagement. Test scores went up 15% in just
two months.

Pro Tip: Teaching is frustrating. Many common interview questions for teachers focus on that pain. Don’t
minimize it. Instead, explain your skills at working through it.

7. Why should we hire you to teach here?

This is the teacher interview questions equivalent of the old standby, “Why should we hire you?”

The example answer below is for a school that wants technology in the curriculum.

Example Answer

I’m well aware of your new technology initiative. We were tasked with the same challenge at my last
school. Thanks to my strong tech background, I was able to add online quizzes easily. The students loved
them, and they cut administrative processing by 25%.

8. How would you get your classroom ready for the first day of school?

This and similar teacher interview questions look at your preparedness.

First steps create a first impression. Your plan for first steps says a lot about your teaching skills.

Example Answer

I want my classroom to be welcoming and nurturing. I also make the ground rules obvious. A welcome
sign and labeled desks help students feel at home from day one. Engaging posters and other visual aids
help create a sense of excitement. Beyond fun, a large list of rules and consequences at the front of the
room helps the class start on the right foot.

9. Why do we teach (science, math, French, etc.) in school?

Why does your subject matter to you?

If you say, “So they can get good jobs,” you’ll flunk common interview questions for teachers like this.

Think why you care about the subject at a gut level.

Example Answer

I’ve always believed our future depends on regular people using science in day-to-day decisions. Science
is at the core of a sense of wonder for our natural world. That wonder can drive students to improve their
learning skills. It can take them places they never thought they’d go.

Bring a lesson plan, transcripts, and Praxis scores. Be ready to answer a question about teaching
philosophy. Be familiar with newest lingo, assessments instead of tests, and the use of rubrics to correct
assignments
 Paula Bean
H.S. Teache
How do you evaluate your students?

Common teacher interview questions like this examine how you measure your performance.

As usual, avoid generic answers. Cite an accomplishment and how it helped your students.

Example Answer

I evaluate students with formal and informal methods, including quizzes and tests. I also grade in-class
activities like reports, recitations, desk work, and group activities. One student, Terry, showed a strong
grasp of concepts during in-class activities, but performed poorly during testing. Through working closely
with him, I uncovered an undiagnosed vision problem. Terry got corrective lenses and his test scores rose
to match his in-class comprehension.

Beware. Teaching interview questions like the above may look for whether you use assessments vs
tests.

Know what differentiation and universal design are. Be ready to discuss working with students with both
identified and unidentified disabilities. Be able to explain how to flip a classroom. Explain that you’ll be
very willing to communicate with and work with parents. Explain scope and sequence. Know who Ross
Greene, Ruby Payne and Donna Beagle are. Be able to talk about how you’d apply their work in your
classroom.
Brian Welsh
High School
The next 15 interview questions for teachers aren’t on the A-list.

As one of my teachers used to say, prepare for them anyway because they may be on the test.

You never know which teaching job interview question you might face. More prep = less chance of a flub.

11. What are your strengths as a teacher?

12. What’s your biggest weakness as a teacher?
13. How do you interact with parents?
14. Why did you leave your last teaching (or other) job?
15. What’s your educational background?
16. Where do you see yourself in five years?
17. How do you handle classroom management?
18. What’s your favorite subject?
19. What do you like best about teaching?
20. Tell me about your teaching style
21. How do you manage your time to get all your teaching duties done within schedule?
22. What’s the biggest challenge today’s students face?
23. Describe your worst day in class.
24. How do you motivate students to learn?
25. How have you helped a “tough” student?

Those are the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers. Want one more question to rule them all?
That’s coming in a second.

Be flexible. “On the way to my first teaching interview, I was caught in a downpour and my car broke
down. I still nailed every question. Then they asked to see my portfolio. I unzipped it and a big puddle of
 water splashed out onto the principal’s lap. I said, “I’m pretty sure this is a sign that this is not the place
for me.” He laughed and offered me the job.
P.J. Stevenson
H.S. Teacher

Here’s the ultimate teacher interview question:

“Do you have questions for me?”

Why’s that earthshaking?

1. It asks if you’re savvy enough to ask an intelligent question about the job.
2. It lets you show your interest.
3. It can show you’re an impressive candidate.
4. It lets you pry out valuable information about the position.
5. It takes time away from their teaching interview questions. That lets you out of the hot
seat.

So, do a little head-scratching in advance.

Which of the reverse-teaching interview questions below fit the job opening best?

Which ones show you as the strongest candidate?

Questions to Ask in a Teacher Interview

 What would my goals be for the first year?

 What’s the average classroom size?
 What’s the school’s culture like?
 Do you have an active PTA?
 What are the other teachers like?
 How is the interaction between the school and the parents?
 What do the other teachers like most about this school?
 How do you handle bullying?
 How do you approach student discipline?
 How do you measure teacher success?

Any of those questions to ask in a teaching interview will show you know your way
around a lesson plan.

Look at the school’s website. Review their mission and vision statements and be ready
to discuss achievements that show you fit.

Todd Mercer
High School Teacher
That’s it for our list of 25+ common interview questions for teachers. Want more
reverse-teacher interview questions? See our guide: 65+ Best Questions to Ask in an
Interview & Land Top Jobs

Teacher Interview Tips

Bad dream:

You walk into the teaching interview. You sit. You’re sweating buckets.

They start asking questions. You umm and ahh.

Suddenly you realize you’re in your underwear.

Sound familiar?

Before we wrap up the top 25 teacher interview questions and answers, let’s take one minute to prepare.

The teacher interview tips below will jack your confidence up to the ceiling tiles.

Teaching Interview Tips

 Know the lingo. What are AYP goals? Who are Wiggins and Marzano? What are rubrics? What
should you know about proficiency-based models? Brush up on your terms and be ready to
discuss them.
 Prepare for common interview questions for teachers. Learn the school’s needs. Then brainstorm
accomplishments that show how you can help.
 Bring a portfolio. It’s not for them to read. It’s evidence of your teaching interview answers.
Bring materials that shows achievements, like lesson plans, worksheets, and images.
 Dress professionally—more professionally than you would for work. That sends the message
that you take the interview seriously.
 Listen. The more you ask and listen, the fewer interview questions for teachers you’ll have to
answer. Plus, interested = interesting.
 Make eye contact with the principal and all other interviewers.

What to Bring to a Teaching Interview:

Bring a complete portfolio with student work samples, your evaluations, a copy of transcripts , your
teaching license, and your Praxis scores. If you have a completed unit plan with feedback bring it as well.

n a teaching interview, you may face situational interview questions. Those usually start with “Tell me
about a time...” Need help prepping? See our guide: 20 Situational Interview Questions and Answers to
Nail Your Interview

Want more interview tips for teachers and other jobs? See our guide: 50+ Successful Interview Tips,
Advice & Guidelines

Key Takeaway

Here’s a recap of common teacher interview questions and answers:

  Prepare. Read the 25 teaching interview questions in this guide. Spend the most effort on the top
10.
 Do your homework. Learn the school’s needs—both online and by talking to their teachers. Prep
answers that prove you’ve got solutions.
 Ask questions. Pick a few general interview questions above. They’ll show you’re present and
accounted for.

Do you have questions on how to answer interview questions for teachers? Not sure how to
describe your past experience? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's get you hired now.
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Job interviews are exciting (we swear)! They’re a peek into new opportunities, new colleagues, and new
challenges that will change your career path. No pressure, right? Here’s one way to be sure you’ll nail it:
Prepare your answers to some common teacher interview questions before you set foot in the office of
your future principal. Here are 18 teacher interview questions that are highly likely to come up. We
recommend that you research your answers now. Then, stand in front of a mirror and start practicing!

1. Why did you decide to become a teacher?

It seems trite and like a softball question, but don’t let that fool you. If you don’t have a substantive
answer, then why are you even applying? Schools want to know you’re dedicated to enriching the lives of
students. Answer honestly and with anecdotes or examples that paint a clear picture of the journey that
you took to become a teacher.

2. What is your teaching philosophy?

This question is tricky. Don’t answer with a cliché, generic response. In fact, your response is your
teaching mission statement. It’s the answer to why you’re a teacher. It’s helpful if you write out your
mission statement before the interview and practice reciting it. Discussing your teaching philosophy is a
chance to show off why you’re passionate, what you want to accomplish, and how you are going to apply
it in this new position, in a new classroom, at a new school.

3. Describe your classroom management structure.

If you’re a veteran teacher, discuss how you handled your classroom in the past. Give specific examples
of things that worked the best and why. If you’re new, then explain what you learned as a student teacher
and how you’ll map out a plan to run your first classroom. No matter how long you’ve been teaching,
familiarize yourself with the school district’s philosophies on classroom management and discipline.
Mention how you’ll incorporate their philosophy and stay true to your own. If you’re unable to find out
much about the school’s policies beforehand, ask the interviewer to explain.

8 Tips for Finding Teaching Jobs You'll Love

4. How do you incorporate social-emotional learning in your lessons?

Many states and districts have added requirements for social-emotional learning into their standards.
Explain how you will not only tend to the academic needs of your students but tie in lessons that satisfy
the core SEL competencies. Describe how you will help students build their self- and social-awareness
skills, how you will support them in building relationships, and how you will give them the skills to make
responsible decisions.

5. How do you use technology in the classroom?

Technology is at the forefront of education, so your interview is the time to show off that you’re savvy.
Talk about why you’re excited to use technology with students. Explain how using SMART Boards
improved your students’ test scores or describe the incredible website your last class created together.
And, it’s great to throw in that you wear a Fitbit or that you control all the electronics in your house with
your iPad. Innovative thinking around technology is something your administration is looking for—and so
are your students.

6. How do you connect your lessons to the real world?

Incorporating real-world connections into lesson plans helps students understand why what they’re
learning is useful beyond the classroom. Explain how you will facilitate this kind of authentic learning for
your students. Will you invite guest speakers? Use primary source documents? Will you tie in current
affairs when possible? Show that your methods extend beyond the theoretical.

7. How will you encourage parents to support their children’s education ?

The home-school connection is imperative yet tough to maintain. Administrators lean on teachers to keep
open lines of communication with parents. They even see you as a “publicist” for the school, reinforcing
the culture, strengths, and values of the school to parents. So, answer this question with concrete ideas.
Share how parents will volunteer in your classroom and how you’ll maintain regular contact, providing
updates on both positive and negative events. It’s great to also share your plan for providing resources to
parents when students are struggling.

8. What are some methods you use to check for understanding as you’re teaching?

It’s one thing to prepare a high-quality lesson plan, but if students are not following along, what’s the use?
Explain how your instruction will be responsive to students’ needs. Will you have students turn and talk
while you listen in? Or implement exit slips summarizing what they’ve learned? Do you have a quick-
check method, like thumbs-up/thumbs-down, to quickly scan for understanding?

9. How do you assess students’ progress?

Here’s your chance to preview your lesson plans and reveal your methods for keeping on top of students’
social, academic, and physical development. Explain the types of quizzes you give because you know
that they’re most telling about students’ strengths and weaknesses. Give insight into how you use oral
reports, group projects, and seat work to determine who’s struggling and who’s ahead. And, share how
you implement open communication with your students to discover what they need to succeed.

10. Why do you want to teach at this school?

Research, research, and research more before your interview. Google everything you can about the
school. Do they have a theater program? Are the students involved in the community? What type of
culture does the principal promote? Use social media to see what the school proudly promoted most
recently. Then, ask around. Use your network of colleagues to find out what (current and former) teachers
loved and hated about it. The point of all this digging? You need to know if this school is a good fit. If it is
a good fit, you’ll demonstrate how much you want the job by explaining how you would get involved with
all the amazing school programs you’ve heard so much about!

11. How can you meet the needs of a student with an IEP?
Today’s inclusive classrooms require that teachers know how to meet each child’s unique educational
needs, especially those with disabilities. Even if you have not worked extensively with special needs
students, educate yourself on the process and be familiar with the lingo. Prepare a couple of examples of
ways you can differentiate instruction to support their particular needs.

12. How will you meet the needs of the students in your class who are advanced or say they’re

bored?

School leaders don’t want to hear canned responses about how you can differentiate; they want you to
give some concrete answers and support your ideas. Perhaps you help get kids prepared for scholastic
competitions once they’ve mastered the standard (spelling bee or chemistry olympiad, anyone?). Maybe
you offer more advanced poetry schemes for your English classes or alternate problem-solving methods
for your math students. Whatever it is, make sure that you express the importance that all students are
engaged, even the ones that are already sure to pass the state standardized test.

13. How will you engage reluctant learners?

Teaching in an age when we must compete with Fortnite, Snapchat, and other forms of instant
entertainment makes this question valid and necessary. How will you keep students’ heads off their
desks, their pencils in their hands, and their phones in their pockets? Share specific incentive policies,
engaging lessons you’ve used, or ways you’ve built relationships to keep students on task. An anecdote
of how a past student (remember to protect privacy) that you taught was turned on to your subject
because of your influence would also help your credibility here.

14. Which activities, clubs, or sports are you willing to sponsor if you are offered a position?

While this expectation may be more real for middle and secondary teachers, being the new kid on the
block often comes with a conversion of your title from teacher to coach. If athletics aren’t one of your
strengths, you can still get an edge on your competition by sponsoring science club, yearbook, or
academic team. You might also share a special skill, like knitting or creative writing, and offer to teach it to
interested students.

15. What three words would your peers, administrators, or students use to describe you?

Having been caught off guard by this prompt at a previous competitive interview, I would encourage you
to have some thoughtful options to describe yourself. It’s tempting to say things you think your new boss
might want to hear, like intelligent or hard-working, but don’t discount character traits or terms that paint
you as team player among peers and a role model for students. Some options to consider
are empathetic, creative, caring, or cooperative.

16. What do you feel you can contribute to our school’s PLC for your subject?

The days of shutting your door to do your own thing are out, and professional learning communities are
in! Go in ready to discuss topics such as common planning, benchmarks, and data analysis. This is a key
time to highlight your strengths. Whether you shine in making high-level DOK assessment questions or
have a plethora of student-centered activities for your subject, let the interviewers know what you have to
offer to your prospective peers and what you hope to glean from collaborating with them.

17. Which component of your résumé are you most proud of and why?

Pride may come before a fall, but if asked about your accomplishments, don’t be bashful about conveying
your worth. Have you won a grant for classroom materials? Share the details and how it helped your
students succeed. Did you receive an award for excellence in instruction? Talk about how the application
process helped you reflect and grow. If you’re a recent graduate, you can still brag on yourself: Describe
your student-teaching experience and how it prepared you for opportunities like the job opening you’re
vying for. Small things, like professional organization memberships, can also help you relay your interest
in staying up to date on the latest educational research and best professional development.

18. Do you have any questions?

While it may be tempting to get out of the hot seat quickly by answering with a simple no, this will
generally be the final question and your last opportunity to leave a good impression. So, grab a journal or
pad and jot some ideas down before your interview and proudly pull these notes out on cue. If you are at
a loss for what to ask, peruse the school’s website, check out their goals, strategic plan, or recent
accomplishments and refer to them specifically. Your potential principal will likely appreciate your
inquisitive side if it is paired with genuine interest about their school. See our full list of recommended
questions to ask the hiring team here.

If you’ve recently been on the job-hunting circuit, what common teacher interview questions
would you add to this list? Come and share in ourWeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, what to wear to a teacher interview.