- Are you familiar with the state curriculum for 1st grade?
- What are some strategies you use to engage your students in learning?
- How would you handle a student who is disruptive in class?
- What is your teaching philosophy?
ELEMENTARY TEACHER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GUARANTEED TO GET THE JOB | FIRST YEAR TEACHER
Example: “I think it is crucial for parents to make sure they are actively engaged in their child’s education. This means talking about what their child learned at school, asking questions about assignments and helping them practice new skills at home. I also encourage parents to attend as many school events as possible so they can see how much their child is growing and developing.”
STEM education is a growing trend in the classroom, and many schools are looking for teachers who can incorporate STEM into their curriculum. Your answer should show that you understand what STEM is and how it benefits students. You can also use this question to talk about any experience you have with STEM education.
This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of your understanding of the challenges students face in school. It also helps them understand how you plan to address these challenges with your teaching methods and classroom management skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific challenges that you have faced as a teacher or things you’ve observed about first grade students.
Example: “I find it’s important to have a plan for handling discipline problems before they happen. I always make sure my students understand the rules and consequences for breaking them. If a student breaks a rule, I first try to calmly remind them of the expectations. If they continue to break the rules, I send them to the principal’s office. This is usually enough to get their attention and prevent further issues.”
Example: “I have used many different lesson plans in my past positions as a teacher, however one I found particularly effective was the project-based learning approach. In this type of lesson, students work together in groups to complete a larger task or project. For example, last year I had my class create their own board games. The students were able to apply math skills, reading comprehension and other concepts while having fun.”
Do you have an interest in becoming a first-grade teacher? This article will provide you with interview questions that will help you prepare for your interview. In addition, it will also give you an insight into what being a first-grade teacher is all about.
The teaching profession is now more diverse than ever before. Modern teachers are more than just curriculum educators. They are role models, leaders, and innovators; the first line of contact that our children have with a brighter and better future. With this in mind, it’s essential that schools are employing the right type of people for the job.
They teach reading and writing skills as well as also introduce mathematical and science concepts to first graders. Because they educate students that are usually seven years old, first-grade teachers spend their time planning lessons that are shorter and more rudimentary than the assignments of elementary school teachers in higher grade levels.
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
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.
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
25 Most Common Teacher Interview Questions [1–10]
These teacher interview questions and answers will make the interviewers ask you a question:
They cover popular high school interview questions, special education teacher interview questions, substitute or assistant teacher interview questions, and more.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
FAQ
What are the 10 most common teaching interview questions and answers?
- Why are you interested in teaching at this school?
- What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
- How do you use technology in the classroom?
- What would you do if a student is in danger of failing your class?
- What adjectives would you use to describe your presence in the classroom?
What are questions asked in interview for an elementary teacher?
- What’s your educational background?
- What is your educational philosophy?
- What do you know about this elementary school?
- What is the greatest challenge facing teachers today?
- Why are you interested in working for this school?
- Why do you want to teach elementary students?
What questions should a first grade teacher ask?
- What Is Your Reading Program, & How Can I Support It At Home? …
- What Are Your Homework Expectations? …
- How Is Your Day Structured? …
- How Do You Measure Progress? …
- What’s The Activity Like? …
- How Can I Help?
