If you’re applying for a job as a teacher, you’ll be expected to sit at least one interview. Here, we’re going to be looking at 5 teacher interview questions and answers to help you succeed in your next teacher interview.
Question 1: Tell Me About Yourself. – 5 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Don’t think this is an easy question to answer! It isn’t. You need to demonstrate during your answer you have the tenacity, enthusiasm, determination and mindset to become a teacher. Make sure you look at the job description and mention key elements of the role within your answer.
Use the following keywords and phrases in your response:
- Effective communicator, both in writing and verbally.
- A strong ability to plan and organise effectively.
- A passionate teacher who can adapt under pressure and deliver results.
- Cater for diverse learning requirements.
- An understanding of the bigger picture.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Effective at behaviour management.
- Positive and enthusiastic outlook.
Tell Me About Yourself – Sample Response
“I am a positive person who has an enthusiastic outlook on life. I love my job and I get a great sense of achievement from seeing my students develop and grow as individuals.
If I can have a positive impact on their future, I feel I am doing my job well. I am an effective communicator, both in writing and verbally and I have a strong ability to plan and organise effectively; something which is crucial to the role of a competent teacher.
I cope very well with pressure and can adapt my style or teaching methods, when needed, to deliver consistent results. I have an understanding of the bigger picture and the pressures that are placed on the school.
I am someone who always implements effective behaviour management processes in the classroom and strive myself on an ability to continually develop both personally and professionally.”
Question 2: Describe Your Teaching Style. – 5 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Describe your teaching style as something worth investing in. The interviewers aren’t expecting to hear a revolutionary response here, or for you to give them something a style they’ve never heard of before.
Steer away from answers such as ‘I’m very big on discipline’. A better response to this question will incorporate ideas such as group work, exercises, class engagement and effective behavioural management. You’ll need to demonstrate capability of being flexible and recognise when a different teaching style is appropriate for the lesson in question.
Describe Your Teaching Style – Sample Response
“My teaching style is primarily centred on class engagement. I adapt my teaching style in order to cater for everyone and make the material as interesting as possible.
I like to use group exercises,colorful PowerPoint slides and even videos where possible to demonstrate mylearning points. I believe this is something which increases student interestsignificantly, and from my experience, leads to a better learning experienceoverall.
I am highly effective at behavioural management, and focus on the three R’s of RESPECT, RESPONSE and the RIGHT way to learn. These have served me well over time.
Finally, I have an approachable, inclusive style of teaching that is sufficiently flexible enough to cater for a diverse range of learning styles, needs and requirements.”
Check out our excellent YouTube guide to our Top 5 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers:
Question 3: How would you manage the behaviour of your students in the classroom? – 5 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Tell the panel you would set boundaries of respect from the get-go. What these boundaries are, is entirely down to you. I will provide you with an example during the forthcoming answer.
Explain the benefits of your approach to managing behaviour and how this has worked previously.
How would you manage the behaviour of your students in the classroom? – Sample Response
“I would set boundaries from the get-go. These would involve three things: RESPECT, RESPONSE and the RIGHT approach to learning. RESPECT is the respect of each other and me, the teacher.
RESPONSE is the process in which weall abide by in the classroom when either asking questions or answeringquestions. The RIGHT approach to learning is getting the students to understandthe benefits of learning and how this impacts on their future.
Of course, there are other facets to managing behaviour in the classroom, including having a teaching style that is appropriate to the student’s needs, but I feel strongly that it’s important to set firm boundaries from the outset that we all abide by.
These boundaries I implement within my lessons have stood me in good stead and I rarely have behavioural issues with my students.”
Question 4: How would you cope with the pressures of teaching? – 5 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Have a thorough understanding of the job description and teaching role you are applying for. If you get the opportunity, visit the school or educational establishment before you attend the interview. Tell the panel what the pressures are and how you plan to cope with them.
How would you cope with the pressures of teaching? – Sample Response
“I fully understand the pressures that are placed on teachers. And I also understand the pressures placed on you, the school. These pressures need to be managed effectively so that we all work together to achieve the aims of the school and meet the needs of the students we are teaching.
To begin with, I believe in proper,effective planning of both time and lessons. Planning helps significantlyreduce stress as a teacher. Secondly, I believe in maintaining a positive andhappy mindset. If you are happy and positive, this rubs off on your workcolleagues and also the students you are teaching.
Finally, I look after myself outside of work. I eat well, and whilst I am not a massive fitness fantastic, I often go walking and carry out physical exercise to clear my head and this also helps to reduce stress, too.”
Question 5: Tell me about a teaching lesson you were involved in that didn’t go well and what you learned from it. – 5 Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
Don’t mention anything relating to a lack of discipline or unruly students. This demonstrates an inability to manage behaviour. Describe a time-sensitive situation. This will make the situation you were in easier to explain. Tell the interview panel what you learned from the experience.
Tell me about a teaching lesson you were involved in that didn’t go well and what you learned from it. – Sample Response
“To be truthful, this type of situation only happened in the early days of my teaching career and I was quick to learn from the mistake I made. I was called in at the last minute to cover a lesson for a colleague as he had to go home on compassionate leave.
I only had two hours to prepare forthe lesson, and instead of using that time effectively to revisit the previouslessons plans handed over to me, I focused on what I thought would be right forthe students to learn during my time with them. This proved to be a mistake.During the lesson, I had a battle to maintain their concentration levelsbecause they were not expecting the lesson I was delivering.
I learned a lot from that experience and it has never happened since. I always plan my lessons effectively, and if I am called in to cover another teachers lesson at short notice, I always look back over previous lessons to make sure continuity is followed.”
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