50 Teacher Interview Questions to Help You Get the Job You Want

Inside: 50 teacher interview questions to help you prepare for a teacher job interview, plus a few more tips!

Whether you are a first-time teacher or a seasoned professional, going into a teacher interview at a new school can be nerve-wracking. How do I prepare? What types of teacher interview questions will they ask me? Do I know the answers to those questions? 

Help is here! I’m sharing tips for preparing for your interview, plus teacher interview questions that you can practice answering to feel completely prepared for your interview! 

If you want more tips, check out this Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast episode, “How to Nail Your Job Interview.” 

Teacher Interview Questions

I went on a lot of teacher job interviews before landing my first teaching job. My first interviews went terribly.

After a few interviews, a mentor offered to give me a practice interview and gave me some great advice. He told me that after every teacher job interview that I go to, I should sit in my car and write down all of the questions that I remember being asked. He said, that after writing them down, to take time to research and come up with my best answers, and then practice answering those questions in the mirror. 

My teacher job interviews went so much better after that. I knew the TYPES of questions that would be asked and was prepared for HOW to answer them.

I’ve compiled a list of teacher interview questions. The questions are divided into larger categories of questions that you may be asked. Read through them and start practicing your answers so that you are totally prepared to rock your teacher interview!

Teaching Experience Questions:

• Why are you a good fit for this job and our school district?
• Tell us a little about your professional experiences.
• What led you to become a teacher?
• What is your teaching philosophy?
• What inspired you to become a teacher, and what motivates you to continue in this field?
• What do you think is the most important quality for a teacher to have, and how do you embody this quality?
• What do you think is the role of a teacher in today’s society, and how do you help prepare your students for the future?
• What do you think are the biggest challenges facing teachers today, and how do you navigate them?
• What inspired you to become a teacher, and how has that motivation continued throughout your career?
• What do you think are the most important qualities for a teacher to possess, and how do you embody those qualities in your work?
• How do you collaborate with other teachers and staff members to create a cohesive school community?
• Can you describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with other teachers or staff members to support student success, and what was the outcome?
• How do you stay up-to-date with current education trends and developments, and how do you incorporate them into your teaching?
• How do you stay current with developments in your subject area, and how do you integrate new knowledge into your teaching?

Classroom Environment and Cultural Diversity Questions:

• How do you address cultural diversity in your classroom, and what steps do you take to ensure that all students feel included and valued?
• How do you foster a culture of respect, empathy, and inclusion in your classroom, and what steps do you take to ensure that all students feel welcome and supported?
• Can you share an example of a lesson or project you developed that you are particularly proud of, and why?
• How do you create a positive classroom environment?
• How do you create a safe and supportive classroom environment, and what strategies do you use to address bullying or harassment?

Differentiation Questions:

• How do you differentiate your instruction to meet the needs of all students?
• How do you address the diverse learning needs of students?
• What teaching strategies do you use to accommodate different learning styles in your classroom?
• Can you tell us about a time when you had to adapt your teaching approach to meet the needs of a particular student?
• How do you approach differentiation in your teaching, and what methods have you found to be most effective?

Assessing Student Learning Questions:

• How do you assess student learning?
• How do you evaluate student progress and performance, and what methods do you use to assess learning?
• What is your approach to providing feedback to students, and how do you help them use that feedback to improve their learning?

Classroom Management and Engagement Questions:

• How do you engage students who may not be interested in the subject you are teaching?
• What strategies do you use to motivate and encourage students?
• How do you keep your students engaged and motivated to learn?
• Can you describe a time when you had to manage disruptive behavior in the classroom?
• How do you handle conflicts between students?
• How do you handle disciplinary issues with students, and what methods have you found to be most effective?
• What is your approach to classroom management, and how do you establish a positive classroom culture?
• Can you tell us about a challenging situation you faced in the classroom and how you overcame it?
• How do you encourage student engagement and participation in the classroom, and what strategies do you use to ensure that all students feel heard and valued?
• How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your students, and why is this important for student success?

Parent-Teacher Relationships Questions:

• How do you communicate with parents about their child’s progress?
• How do you handle parent-teacher conferences and communication with parents, and what methods have you found to be most effective?
• Can you tell us about a time when you had to deal with a difficult parent or student, and how you resolved the situation?

Technology Questions:

• How do you integrate technology into your teaching?
• How do you incorporate technology into your teaching to enhance student learning?

Teaching Methods Questions:

• Can you describe a successful lesson you have taught in the past?
• How do you incorporate social and emotional learning into your teaching?
• How do you foster creativity and innovation in your classroom, and what strategies have you found to be most effective?
• How do you incorporate student voice and choice into your teaching, and why do you think this is important?
• How do you encourage students to think critically and develop problem-solving skills?
• What do you hope your students will take away from your class, and how do you help them achieve these goals?
• Can you describe a lesson or project that you designed to address a specific student need or challenge, and what was the outcome?
• What do you think is the most important lesson that a student can learn from you?

How do I prepare for a teacher job interview?

Before you have started applying for a new position, prepare a detailed teacher portfolio. Include things such as your resume with a history of your teaching experience, your teaching license, letters of recommendation, a sample of lesson plans you have written, and materials that demonstrate student learning. For more detailed information about putting together a teacher portfolio, read this article from Vanderbilt University. 

Once you have an interview, it is time to research the school. Is it a public school? Charter school? Magnet school? Private school? Are they an International Baccalaureate school? Is it an in-person or virtual school? Do they follow standards-based grading practices? What about technology do they use Google Classroom or Canvas? Will you be teaching in a 1:1 environment? 

Do your research about the school to find out as much information as you can. If you can’t find your answers, ask them in the interview. Asking intelligent questions about the school during your interview will help you stand out. Being prepared by researching the school will show your interviewers that you are interested in and knowledgeable about it. 

Review the job description to identify the skills, qualifications, and experience that the school is looking for in a candidate. In both your teacher portfolio and preparing to answer the teacher interview questions, prepare examples to share of how you have demonstrated those skills in the past.

Finally, dress professionally. Dress a little bit nicer than you would on a typical day in your classroom. Being well-dressed shows that you take your role seriously. 

Bonus tip: If you are a member of Wife Teacher Mommy Club, attend an open life coaching call to get extra help in preparing for your teacher job interview.

What are the qualities of a good teacher interview answer?

Be authentic, honest, and personable during your interview. You want your interviewer(s) to get to know who you are. 

When talking about past employers, co-workers, or experiences, speak positively. Even if those people or experiences weren’t great, spin them to share what you learned from working in a difficult situation. 

Be sure to highlight your strengths and skills, by explaining your teaching philosophy, discussing your experience with technology or project-based learning, or describing your experience working with diverse learners. Show them that you know what you are doing in the classroom. 

Don’t forget to demonstrate your passion for teaching. Share stories of how you have made a positive impact on students, explain why you became a teacher, or describe your vision for your future classroom. Let them see that you are passionate about your chosen profession.

Finally, be sure to answer the questions that you are asked. Do practice interviews beforehand with a mentor, friend, or family member, so you know how you want to answer teacher interview questions. 

Now, go out and nail your teacher job interview!