How to Rock Your Teacher Interview

Congratulations on your upcoming teacher interview. This blog post will hopefully help you land a dreamy teaching position in the classroom of your choice.

Teacher Interview
Preparation is everything!

Preparing for an interview using the teacher interview tips provided will help you land your dream teaching job!  Conduct research and consider learning the background of the school system where you are interviewing. Find out the population of the school and the diversity of the students.  Also, research information such as whether it’s a Title 1 school, average classroom sizes, and the student-to-teacher ratio. This will help you decide if you are indeed interested in accepting the teaching position, should you receive an offer.

Before the interview:

• Look up the district mission statement
• Check school demographics and programs
• Review any focus areas (STEM, literacy, PBIS, Leader in Me, etc.)

Then connect your answers back to that school.

Also, consider cultural awareness and student advocacy. Classrooms are diverse, and this is increasingly important.

Be prepared to speak about:

• Creating inclusive classroom environments
• Respecting students’ backgrounds
• Maintaining high expectations for all students

This does not need to be political. Keep your responses instructional and relevant to student learning.

Be Intentional

Think about why you became a teacher.  Make sure to intentionally discuss your passion for teaching and the reason “why”. This will show the interview committee your excitement and dedication to this wonderful, rewarding profession.  

Since administrators can quickly spot vague responses, prepare to discuss one of the following using specific, intentional examples:

• A lesson that went well
• A lesson that failed—and what you changed
• A student you helped academically or behaviorally
• A challenge you faced and how you handled it

Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Do you need help when practicing your teacher interview questions and answers? In this blog post, you will find...

Practicing possible questions and answers will help way more than you might think. Practice teacher interview questions and answers while driving down the road or during any other quiet time you may have.  The more you practice your teacher interview questions and answers, the better prepared you are and the more intentional you will be with your answers. 

When discussing classroom management, it’s important to emphasize a balance of strong relationships and clear structure. Administrators often value calm, consistent, relationship-based classrooms rather than environments that feel overly strict or punitive.

Be prepared to explain how you establish expectations at the beginning of the year, proactively address behavior, and build positive relationships with both students and families.

Strong classroom management is often grounded in...

• clear routines
• consistent and fair consequences
• positive reinforcement
• a classroom culture built on mutual respect and accountability.

Teacher Tip

Review standards for grade level and subject area.  Find out if the state where you are interviewing follows Common Core or has adopted its own state standards.  Then, begin educating yourself and learning all of the things. Review standards and curriculum to educate yourself. During the interview, there is a possibility you will be questioned about standards, etc. It's also a great idea to get to know the school district in which you are applying. For example, it is a Title 1 school, a Charter School, a socio-economic status, etc. The more you know, the better!

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Are you looking for questions for teacher interview?

Try to stay calm and stick with what you know and have practiced.  Be yourself and answer questions openly and honestly. Do not hesitate to ask questions if you have areas of concern.  Remember, the committee wants the best teacher, so sell yourself as the best. Often, teachers have a difficult time talking about their strengths because it can sometimes feel like bragging.  However, now is the time to brag! Give them your best and let them know that if they want a great teacher, they need you! Be confident!

Be ready to explain your instructional decision-making. They want to know why you teach the way you do. Prepare examples that show:

• How do you differentiate for struggling learners, on-level, and advanced students
• How you respond when a lesson doesn’t work
• How do you use small groups, intervention, or enrichment

Teacher Interview Outfit 

What should your teacher interview outfit look like? Keep your interview outfit professional!  Teacher interview attire includes clothing, makeup, a professional hairstyle, and shoes.  Ensure your teacher interview outfit is appropriate for the age of students you will be teaching.  Consider ditching strong scents of perfume or cologne. First impressions are everything! Look at the mirror and ask yourself if you would hire yourself!  Ask a friend you trust for their opinion when deciding what to wear for your teacher interview attire. Choose something that is comfortable yet flattering. Remember, you will be working with children and need to wear appropriate clothing.

Teacher Tip

Remember to sit up straight in your chair and look the interview committee in the eyes when they are speaking to you.  Again, try to stay calm and relaxed as much as possible.

What are your Strengths as a Teacher?

What is your jam, and what is the thing other teachers want to learn from you?  Share your strengths with the interview committee!  Blow their socks off! Just kidding! But really, talk yourself up during this portion of your teacher interview.  Your strengths as a teacher may include classroom management, classroom organization, math or reading concepts, social-emotional learning, growth mindset, etc.  How are your strengths beneficial to you in the classroom?

What are your Weaknesses as a Teacher?

Discussing weaknesses is uncomfortable for anyone to talk about. Especially in front of an interview committee with school administrators or teachers who will hopefully be your coworkers soon. However, “What are your weaknesses as a teacher?” happens to be a question that is often asked during an interview. Everyone is not great at everything! Take a minute to reflect on your weaknesses. How can you improve this weakness? How can you be honest about this weakness to the interview committee? Next, think about what you can do to improve this area of your teaching career and the steps you can take or will take to improve.

Strong candidates ask thoughtful questions. Questions to think about for YOU to ask:

Examples:

• “How does your school support new teachers?”
• “What does successful teaching look like here?”
• “How does your team use data to support student growth?”

Teacher Tip

Share your teacher work samples.  Remember, you have 20-30 minutes to prove you are the best teacher for the job!  Bring along your best teacher work samples with you! Remember, you want to impress the committee and prove you are the best teacher for the open position.  

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR INTERVIEW!  Please email me at teachingdunnsimply@gmail.com, and let me know how your interview went!   

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