Job interviews are both thrilling and stressful at the same time. Despite that, a well-prepared person can surely ace the interview session with much poise. All you need is to groom yourself a bit before you face your interviewer. No matter what profession you choose, there is always a fundamental format to it. Questions asked in a teacher interview are is not different than others. Your interviewer is looking for is a person with qualifications, competency, and skills who is a “good fit” for the position.

Let’s take you through the most relevant teacher interview questions and answers, which can guide you to frame your own answers skillfully –

• You as a Person

The first few minutes in a teaching interview question revolves around personal information, the recruiter intends to know you as both an individual and an educator. This is where you get to reflect your personality including your background. Make sure you are answering in an organic way rather than responding in a generic way.

1. Why did you choose teaching as your profession?

A question that is probably most common yet very significant. Your answer must be genuine and very personal. Your answer should reflect how you want to contribute to students’ lives as well as what teaching can enrich you in your personal development and fulfillment. Share your personal experience with your favorite teacher to present an answer that is heartfelt and honest.

1. What is your core philosophy when it comes to teaching?

When the recruiter asks about your teaching philosophy, you have to know that they want to see are you in alignment with that institute or not. So don’t give a clichéd answer. This is where you show them your passion for teaching and how can you be an asset to the organization. Again the answer needs to be personal and unique. Narrate your answer with confidence and your willingness to learn as you move forward in life.

1. Why do you want to teach in this school?

This question can be asked interchangeably with are you a good fit or not. Your aim should be to highlight your skills and qualities. Talk distinctively about what they have specified in the job description and how you are completely capable of meeting the job role. Also, do thorough research on the school before the interview. Present your answer in alignment with how the school and you as a teacher there is a good fit. What are the practices/activities of the school that inspires you to join.

• You as the Teacher

Moving on to how well equipped you are as a teacher, your prospective employee will want to know whether or not you are going to be a productive employee for them, get technical and professional in this section. Utilize all your experience and practical knowledge of teachings. Frame all your answers very objectively and include real-time experience as examples whenever applicable.

1. What your ideal classroom looks like?

Describe your instructional and teaching style here. How you would positively cultivating your relationship with each of your students and how would you establish a sense of community within your classroom. You can also brief about the physical appearance of the classroom. The answer may comprise of two key elements – your choice of topic/theme for lessons, the kind of technology and resources you will use to make the learning effective.

1. How would you approach those students who are difficult to handle?

Include your classroom management skills and highlight them with your previous experience. Instead of explaining your reactions focus more on positive aspects of your teaching styles. Highlight how you can provide meaningful engagement in your lesson to keep students motivated throughout the class. Don't forget to mention how you value student-centered learning to meet the need of your students.

1. How do you integrate 21st century teaching and technology in your classroom?

Highlight your approach to modern teaching methods and how you practice them in your teaching. Describe the use of technology with age appropriation as your means to learning. How it facilitates the process of learning as an amplifier to encourage creativity, engagement, and critical thinking.

1. How would you deal with cultural diversity in the classroom?

Now that online classroom has become a huge deal in educational industry, cultural diversity is an area that needs to be addressed. You may or may not have handled a classroom with cultural differences or students coming from various socio-economic backgrounds before, however, as a teacher you need to recognize all your students’ equality. Talk about the importance of holding a safe space for students and how you will celebrate and promote diverse differences in both sensitive and respectful ways.

1. How do/would you communicate with parents and guardians of your students?

Mention about the vital role of parents in students learning. Then move on to how you involve parents, collaborate with them whether it is a one on one session or parents-teacher meeting.

• You as the Employee

1. Would you like to take part in the school’s extra-curricular activities?

This question seeks to find out how active you are with responsibilities, how is your supervision and organization skills! Talk about how willing you are to extend your service beyond the four walls of the classroom. Share any specific skills and talent you have that are creative and how you can get involved in extra-curricular activities and encourage students to enrich those programs.

1. How are you planning to develop professionally in near future?

Like many other professions teaching too needs constant professional development. Speak about how teaching is a life-long learning journey for you. Brief a little about the books, journals, blogs you read, or if you have attended any workshops you can mention those. Also, describe in what areas you would like to invest more of your time to pursue additional qualifications or courses that will help you to add innovation and value to your teachings.

• A Bonus Question

1. Do you have any questions for us?

When the interviewer reaches the end of the session, typically they ask this question to wrap up the interview. Don’t procrastinate too much to figure out the right question. Just be honest and get yourself confident to ask those questions that are lurking I your mind. Don’t forget this is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate you are truly invested in join their school as a teacher.

You are going to sit for the interview, congratulations!

This should already make you feel confident. All you need to do is practice few teacher interview questions to shine in the one-on-one session. Be clever enough to slide in your personal achievement and creative sides whenever there is an opportunity. Most importantly, don’t forget to show them who you are, what you already know from your previous experience and your openness you are to learn more as you embark on your journey!