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Contents
Introduction
  1. Tell us about yourself and your teaching experience.
  2. What made you choose a career in teaching?
  3. What is your teaching philosophy?
  4. How do you adapt instruction for diverse learners?
  5. How do you handle classroom behaviour management and discipline?
  6. How do you incorporate technology into your teaching?
  7. How do you assess student learning and track progress?
  8. What strategies do you use to engage and motivate students?
  9. How do you work with colleagues and parents to support students' succeed?
  10. Describe a challenging classroom situation and your resolution?
  11. Do you have any questions for us about our school or the position?
Best of Luck With Your Interview!ConclusionChapters

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Chapter 1

Top 22 Common Teacher Interview Questions and Answers  (Part 1)

Introduction

Are you preparing for a teacher interview and wondering how to crack it? Do you want to know how to answer commonly asked interview questions? Do you know what to know how to convey your key points and present your ideas that will captivate the interviewer?
If so, you're in luck because, In this blog, we're spilling the beans on most common teacher interview questions and answers. Plus, we've got some awesome pro tips and sample answers to help you nail your interview!
Now, when it comes to teacher interviews, the questions can vary a bit depending on the school, grade level, and the kind of teaching job you're after. That's why we've put together a bunch of most commonly asked teacher interview questions for you to consider.
Below, you will find a collection of these questions, with expert tips and sample answers. Let's begin with a classic interview question that frequently arises:
Question 1

Tell us about yourself and your teaching experience.

CTET, your answer to how to become a teacher after graduation
This is usually the interviewer's first question to gain insights into your background, qualifications, teaching style, and experience. It allows them to assess your suitability for the role and understand how your previous experiences align with the current position's requirements.

Pro Tips

  • Briefly summarise your background and teaching experience without going into unnecessary details. Aim for a response that lasts about two to three minutes.
  • Highlight your relevant qualifications that are relevant to the teaching role you are applying for.
  • Mention past experiences that are most relevant to the position. Discuss the grade levels you've taught, the subjects you've covered, any notable achievements, and innovative teaching techniques you've employed.
  • Show your passion for teaching and let your personality shine through.

Sample Answer

Experienced Teacher: Hello, everyone! My name is (name), and I am a graduate of (university name). Over the past years or months, I have gained diverse work experience in various fields. Initially, I worked at (school or institution) for (years or months), where I had the opportunity to teach (subject) to (grade) students while also focusing on (subject). Additionally, I had the privilege of being a sponsor for extracurricular or volunteer work. Given my active involvement in the (additional department) during my time in school, I was thrilled to utilise some of that training as a curriculum developer for (subject).
Later on, I made a transition to (school), where I taught (grade) for (years). Alongside my teaching responsibilities, I had the chance to coach (sports), which turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. It was a rewarding experience to engage with students outside the traditional classroom setting.
I am genuinely excited to bring my pedagogical skills and subject expertise to your school and have the privilege of getting to know a new group of students and colleagues.
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Fresher Teacher: Hello, everyone! My name is (name), and I am an aspiring and enthusiastic teacher ready to start on my teaching journey. I recently graduated from (university name) with a degree in (subject), and I am excited and thrilled to begin my career in teaching.
During my time at the university, I actively sought out opportunities to gain practical experience in the field of teaching. I completed internships at (school or institution), where I had the privilege of working with (grade) students and teaching them (subject). I also had the opportunity to contribute to curriculum development for (subject), drawing upon my training in (additional department). Additionally, I sponsored extracurricular activities, allowing me to engage with students beyond the classroom.
Now, as I start my journey as a full-time teacher, I am incredibly excited to bring my subject knowledge, pedagogical skills, and enthusiasm to your school. I am looking forward to know students and fellow teachers to create an engaging and supportive learning environment.
Did you Know
Nonverbal cues, like eye contact, posture, and a confident tone, can significantly impact the impression you make on the interviewer. So, remember to focus on your body language and delivery as well.
Yes
No
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Question 2

What made you choose a career in teaching?

This teacher interview question is aimed at understanding the motivation and reason behind your decision to become a teacher. It provides insights into your passion for the profession and your commitment to educating students.

Pro Tips

  • Share a personal story or experience that inspired you to pursue a career in teaching.
  • Emphasise your love for teaching and your desire to impact young minds positively.
  • Explain the joy you find in facilitating students' growth and success.

Sample Answer

Teaching comes naturally to me. However, my reasons for becoming a teacher are quite straightforward. As a teacher, I have the privilege to change lives—not one, but a significant number. As a teacher, my role is not just limited to being a mentor. I get to be a mediator, learner, collaborator, psychologist, writer, interpreter, translator, speaker, researcher, actor and animator, all within the same profession. It is an extraordinary role. I have no doubt that I am making a positive impact on the world while experiencing personal and professional growth. I find it truly gratifying to guide young souls and witness their transformation into amazing individuals. Yes, teaching can be difficult, sometimes underappreciated, and often exhausting, but the rewards make it all worthwhile!
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Question 3

What is your teaching philosophy?

teacher showcasing his teaching philosophy
This teacher interview question focuses on your core teaching beliefs and principles. It helps the interviewer understand your teaching and learning approach.

Pro Tips

Teaching styles and methods may change over time, but your values and principles remain the same. So, it's important to review and update your methods and approaches.

  • If you're unsure about your teaching philosophy, start by jotting down some key statements that reflect how you want to make a positive impact as a teacher. Gradually build upon these statements to develop and refine your teaching philosophy.
  • Summarise your philosophy in one or two concise sentences. 
  • Explain how your philosophy translates into practical actions.

Sample Answer

My educational philosophy centres around students. I believe that they will work hard when they feel supported as part of a team. To foster that relationship, I establish clear expectations, offer assistance, and build trust to communicate openly. I aim to create an engaging, interesting, and interactive classroom environment to cater to diverse needs. Next up, I believe in praising attempts, hard work, and improvement using positive reinforcement. I prefer to utilise available or low-cost resources, including parents, counsellors, fellow teachers, research, and the students themselves, to help them reach their full potential. Lastly, I never blame students who may resist being pushed academically due to trauma or negative experiences. Instead, I follow the approach of ' work on them, work with them, and work for them', recognising their age and intentions.
Did you Know
A teaching philosophy is all about your values and beliefs about teaching. Your education, professional experience, and personal upbringing influence it.
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Question 4

How do you adapt instruction for diverse learners?

This teacher interview question assesses your ability to cater to students' individual needs with varying learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.

Pro Tips

  • Explain your approach to individual instruction. Emphasise the importance of recognising and addressing the diverse needs of students. 
  • Mention teaching strategies such as flexible grouping, accommodations, and modifications.
  • Talk about differentiated assessments that ensure all students are evaluated and assessed holistically.

Sample Answer

I embrace the beautiful diversity of my students and tailor my instruction to meet their individual needs. I believe in using differentiated instruction and a variety of resources to engage different learning styles.
For example, in a literature class, book reports can be written by those who are inclined towards reading and writing. Visual learners, on the other hand, can construct a visual representation of the story. Auditory learners can opt to present their understanding of the book orally. Lastly, kinesthetic learners can demonstrate their comprehension by constructing a diorama (3-D model) that depicts the story.
I also implement flexible grouping strategies that allow students to collaborate and learn from their peers. This promotes a sense of inclusivity and encourages students to appreciate and respect each other's unique perspectives and abilities.
I create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive by valuing and celebrating each other's unique culture, language, and abilities. This approach caters to different learning styles, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages students to engage in their own education actively.
Question 5

How do you handle classroom behaviour management and discipline?

This question evaluates your proficiency in student behaviour management skills, ability to handle a class size of 30–40 students, leadership abilities, and communication approaches.

Pro Tips

  • Highlight your proactive classroom behavior management techniques, such as establishing clear expectations, promoting a positive classroom culture, and utilising positive reinforcement.
  • Discuss how you handle discipline issues. For instance, you can talk about focusing on empathy, communication, and a standard classroom management system.
  • Provide concrete examples for credibility

Sample Answer

Surprisingly, discipline issues have been relatively minimal in my classes. When students are actively involved in classroom activities, they are less likely to cause disruptions. By implementing innovative strategies such as incorporating learning through play and using interactive content, I find it effortless to keep the students engaged. However, I acknowledge that my approach may not be effective in every case, as some students may still behave disruptively regardless of the quality of my teaching and the effort I put in. In such situations, I am prepared to employ the proactive classroom management system, which includes providing general instructions, intervening in small groups, and addressing individual students' needs.
Question 6

How do you incorporate technology into your teaching?

teaching explaining how technology can be incorporated into teaching learning process
This teacher interview question evaluates your new-age digital skills and your ability to integrate them to enhance your teaching process and work.

Pro Tips

  • Highlight the transformative impact of technology on traditional teaching approaches.
  • Explain how integrating technology is necessary to lead the education field.
  • Provide concrete examples of how you incorporate technology in your teaching—for example, the use of interactive educational applications, multimedia presentations, or online teaching tools.

Sample Answer

You’ll agree that technology has become an integral part of our lives, and I firmly believe that it can significantly enhance the educational experience. When I teach, I incorporate technology in diverse ways to promote interactivity and efficiency. I make use of educational apps and online platforms that offer interactive activities, games, and worksheets to reinforce learning concepts. Moreover, I utilise multimedia presentations to provide students with a vivid and imaginative understanding of the subject matter. In addition, I encourage students to collaborate online by utilising tools such as Google Docs, online discussion boards and etc, which facilitate group projects and foster communication skills. Furthermore, in today's AI-growing world, ChatGPT serves as a valuable assistant for teachers, aiding in the creation of various teaching materials. This remarkable tool reduces the burden of paperwork and helps me to develop captivating content for students. By harnessing the power of technology, my aim is to establish dynamic and future-ready learning learners.

Related Resource

Read this blog on how ChatGPT is an assistant to teachers! It's loaded with awesome prompts to reduce your workload & manage your time efficiently.
Question 7

How do you assess student learning and track progress?

This teacher interview question examines how you approach assessment and monitor student progress towards learning goals. Assessment is a crucial part of the job, and it is essential to have knowledge of it. Therefore, this is a must question to expect in a teaching interview.

Pro Tips

  • Discuss a range of holistic assessment methods you employ and give examples.
  • Talk about different kinds and processes of assessments
  • Emphasise the importance of providing timely and constructive feedback to students as an integral part of effective assessment practices that promote learning and growth.

Sample Answer

Assessing student learning and tracking progress is vital to ensure that students are achieving their academic goals. Data-based assessment, which includes the use of rubrics and other evaluation tools, is highly valued these days. I employ a variety of assessment methods, including these data-based techniques, to capture a holistic view of student performance. Alongside traditional exams and tests, I value creative formative assessments (diagnosis and remedy) and utilise rubrics to ensure clear and consistent evaluation criteria. These approaches allow me to gather ongoing feedback and adjust instruction accordingly.
In addition to these assessments, I regularly observe and engage with students in class discussions and activities to gauge their understanding. I provide timely and constructive feedback to students, offering specific areas for improvement and recognising their strengths. By using diverse assessment strategies, including data-based techniques and rubrics, I gain a comprehensive understanding of each student's progress and tailor my instruction accordingly. This holistic approach ensures that students receive the support and guidance they need to succeed in their academic journey.
Question 8

What strategies do you use to engage and motivate students?

teacher showcasing his teaching philosophy
This teacher interview question assesses your ability to create a stimulating and inspiring learning environment in the classroom. It shows how you can go beyond traditional teaching methods to keep students engaged and motivated throughout the learning process.

Pro Tips

  • Highlight your creativity and enthusiasm for making learning fun and interactive.
  • Talk about different new-age technologies and methods that can turn learning into a fun zone and stimulating environment.
  • Focus on specific strategies you have employed that have yielded positive results, with examples or anecdotes for credibility.

Sample Answer

Well, I firmly believe that learning should never be a snoozefest! So, to keep my students engaged and motivated, I like to sprinkle a healthy dose of excitement, interactivity, and freedom into my lessons. One of my favourite strategies is using gamification. I turn concepts into fun games or quizzes, complete with rewards and friendly competition. I think using new-age skills and technologies makes the teaching and learning process thrilling and explorable.
Example if time permits: Once, while teaching history, I transformed the classroom into a time machine. We all dressed up in costumes and reenacted historical events. It was like stepping back in time, and the students were actively involved in the lessons. They couldn't wait to know and learn more every day.

Must Watch

In case you're having trouble creating an engaging classroom atmosphere, look no further! Watch our free masterclass and say goodbye to your classroom struggles in no time!
Question 9

How do you work with colleagues and parents to support students' succeed?

Collaboration is a crucial aspect of education. This teacher interview question helps recruiters determine your ability to work effectively with important stakeholders to ensure student success. It shows your interpersonal skills and willingness to foster a supportive network around your students.

Pro Tips

  • Emphasise your strong communication skills
  • Showcase your teamwork and problem-solving skills to build positive relationships.
  • Discuss specific instances where you have collaborated effectively with colleagues and parents. 
  • Mention different approaches you use for collaboration.

Sample Answer

To collaborate effectively, I make sure to establish open lines of communication with my colleagues. I regularly meet to share ideas, brainstorm strategies, and tackle any challenges that come our way. Now, when it comes to parents, I believe in building trust and establishing a strong partnership. I reach out to them regularly, share updates on their child's progress, and invite them to be part of the learning journey. It's like having one goal for their child's education, and it helps create a sense of shared responsibility.
Question 10

How do you work with colleagues and parents to support students' succeed?

teacher showcasing her ability to face any classroom challenge
This question is commonly asked in teaching interview to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations in a classroom setting.

Pro Tips

  • Use the "BEST" - Building Effective Strategies Together method.
  • Provide a concise overview of the challenging situation you encountered in the classroom.
  • Explain the specific actions and steps you performed to address the situation
  • Highlight your problem-solving and decision-making approach used during the entire situation.
  • Showcase the results achieved once the situation is resolved.
  • Connect the situation to your strengths or relevant qualities, emphasising how these strengths played a role in resolving the challenge.

Sample Answer

In my last job, I faced a challenging situation in the classroom with a disruptive student. After having a conversation with him, I discovered that he had personal issues affecting his behaviour. I collaborated with the school counsellor, involved his parents, and implemented a plan based on the counsellor's suggestions along with a personalised learning approach. After consistently checking in with him and following up with his parents on the progress of our plan, I saw him showing signs of improvement.
Question 11

Do you have any questions for us about our school or the position?

The interviewer asks this teacher question to see how excited you are about the school and position, how well you have prepared, and how involved you have been. It's a chance for you to show your commitment, readiness, and approach towards new opportunities. This also includes what factors you consider when making decisions.

Pro Tips

  • Instead of simply responding with "no thanks," try to ask a few questions that demonstrate your interest in your new teaching job.
  • Research the school beforehand to gather relevant information to ask questions.
  • To obtain relevant information, it is advisable to ask precise and targeted questions that are not easily answered by referring to the school's website or general sources of information.
  • Show genuine curiosity about the school's culture, teaching methodologies, and opportunities for professional growth.

Sample Answer

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask questions. I did some research on your school, and while I found valuable information on your website, I'm interested in learning more about the practical application of your (policy or approach). I'm curious about the collaboration and professional development opportunities within your school community and would love to gain a few insights into that.

Must Watch

Are you feeling a bit confused about how to ask questions during interviews? Don't worry. Check out this video, where HR professionals discuss how teachers should ask questions and respond in interviews.

Best of Luck With Your Interview!

all the best with a happy face and smile
Now that you have these valuable teacher interview questions and answers at your fingertips, it's time to put them into action.
We wish you the best of luck for your interview. We're rooting for you to crack your interview.
Lastly, don't forget to keep a smile and confidence high, Now what are you waiting for, Go get 'em!

Conclusion

And there you have it!
As we wrap up our discussion on top teacher interview questions and answers, it's clear that teaching is much more than just a job. It's a mission. It involves sharing your experiences, discussing your teaching style, managing classrooms, technology, tests, and, most importantly, keeping students engaged.
As a teacher, your goal is to unlock every student's potential, instill a love for learning, and prepare them for the future. The answers we've covered here aren't just tips; they're insights into what interviewers are looking for and how to present your ideas effectively.
So, when you walk into that interview room, go in with confidence, knowing that you have what it takes to secure that job. Best of luck with your interview!
If you're looking to enhance your chances of securing more teacher interview opportunities and want to be fully prepared with expert mock interviews, you must consider PgCTL . To know more , click on the button below and book a one to one session with your mentor today!
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Chapters

Pre-Primary Teacher

1

Assistant Teacher

2

Primary Teacher

3

Post Graduate Teacher

5

Head of Department

6
Table of Contents
To continue reading
This is usually the interviewer's first question to gain insights into your background, qualifications, teaching style, and experience.