Interview Questions 2011

Best question ever:

If you were to describe your teaching philosophy in terms of a kitchen appliance, what kitchen appliance would you choose and why?
 
Here are some of the questions I got at my interview this week for a preschool position:
What is your experience with centers and how would you use them in your classroom?
How would you deal with an angry parent?
What are 3 of your strengths and 3 areas you need growth in?
How will you assess the children?
What would I see if I came in to your classroom on a typical day?
In one minute or less, tell us why we should hire you (I've been asked this question in a couple of interviews now -- I feel like I just sum up everything I already stated earlier in the interview)
 
Critical elements of teaching & learning

I am a career switcher and just returned from my first teacher interview. After the interview questions, the P gave me a sheet of paper and told me I had 30 minutes to complete it and she left the room. The first question: What are the critical elements of teaching & learning? Does anybody know what the answer is to this? :help:
 
Hi everyone! I LOVE having these interview threads as a resource!

Has anyone been asked questions about the prevelance of bullying? Such as, "how should a teacher handle bullying?"

An answer would obviously have to go past the basic zero tolerance of bullying position. I know I would definitely document cases of bullying as well as how I handled the situation, but other than that I'm a bit stumped as far as how to answer such a question...

I also have two interview-related questions:
1) I student taught in language arts and social studies, and I'll be interviewing for a language arts position. When they ask questions about specific lessons i.e. my most/least successful lesson or my riskiest lesson etc. is it appropriate to use a social studies lesson as my example? Are these types of questions more to get an idea of my planning and prep process?

2) I've done a little bit of research, and I am still confused about IEPs and RTI. Can someone briefly explain the difference? If you're feeling really helpful, you could throw in 504s too!

Thanks for your help!
 
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Croissant said:
2) I've done a little bit of research, and I am still confused about IEPs and RTI. Can someone briefly explain the difference? If you're feeling really helpful, you could throw in 504s too!

Thanks for your help!
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An IEP is an individualized plan created to provide services to students who have a diagnosed disability. The IEP has goals that the student works to achieve, and the IEP is rewritten each year.

RTI is a method of identifying students who may need more supports in the classroom, but don't necessarily have a disability. Everyone starts at Tier 1, which involves general instruction with no "extras". If a student is struggling in Tier 1 (which can be seen through data collection), they will be moved to Tier 2, which involves the general instruction along with an intervention such as small group instruction. If a student is still struggling, they will be moved to Tier 3. Tier 3 involves a more intensive intervention (or multiple interventions) and may result in a referral for special ed services. The whole point of RTI is to identify students who need extra help before they "fall through the cracks".

Districts may do RTI slightly different, but that's the gist of it. Anyone else can chime in and add/correct me if I'm wrong :)
 
A friend gave me a head's up about a question I will possibly get at an upcoming interview:

What should be discussed in a department meeting?

Department meetings provide opportunities for faculty to use each other as resources. They are not are not forums for negativity or venting about students or peers. Strategies, methods, and resources should be shared. You should use the time time to review the success rates of your students and brainstorm and plan ways to make your students even more successful. :whistle: ----That's what I've come up with so far. Input?
 
Tell me about yourself - nothing personal

Say nothing personal to the "Tell me about yourself" question?


CAretired said:
At a job fair for interviewing last month, I was told when asked "tell me about yourself" to have 3 areas - discuss your education and then 2 jobs you have had. Keep it short and say nothing personal. Good luck.
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I had a principa ask me, "What were your best and worst lessons and tell me about them." That (and a few other things) gave me the impression that she had already made up her mind (on hiring someone else). I mean, that's a broad question. It should have been broken up into three or four separate questions.
 
@ Puff5655,

So you teach in Alaska? My husband and I are looking at moving to Alaska when I am finished with school (about 2 years). I want to teach elementary school and he is an artist. What suggestions or advice could you give me? What areas of Alaska are looking for more teachers? Is there a website somewhere that posts jobs or do you find them at each districts' website?
Thanks in advance for any info you might be able to give.
 
puff5655 said:
Then last, they asked, "We have a whole stack of applicants right here. Why do you think we should hire you and throw the rest of these in the trash right now?" THAT was a little intimidating!! I kept my answer pretty short, but obviously it was the right answer!
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So what was your answer?;) Do you mind divulging?
 
So I was interviewing for a position in a Catholic school and would like to add my 2 cents...

Question 1, which caused me some embarrassment..
What is the Common Core? I said students learn similar concepts regardless of where they live.
Then I said my state is still debating whether to adopt them. :eek: WRONG! So I guess my advice is be knowledgeable about current trends in education.

Another question I groped around for a plausible answer was...
How would you model a Catholic identity?
 
I was recently interviewed and hired. Some of the questions they asked were:

1. Describe a lesson plan that you would use to take full advantage of a 70 minute period.
2. How can technology be used to complement or enhance instruction in your area?
3. How could you differentiate within an English class?
4. How do you reward good effort and achievement?
5. Explain how you would improve your student's writing skills.
6. Explain a discipline situation that you felt you handled effectively and one you could have handled differently.
7. How do you plan to incorporate aspect of Balanced Literacy?

Those were the core questions asked.
 
Recent interview questions

I had an interview that went very well yesterday. I won't know for a week whether I get it or not.

1) Tell us about yourself (of course).
2) How would you go about welcoming your students and getting to know them?
3) How would you teach an intervention lesson on reading comp?
4) How would you teach an intervention lesson on subtraction?
5) How would you contribute to staff meetings, data team meetings, etc.?
6) How would you handle a parent who called to say their child was being bullied?
7) What type of support do you think you would need returning to the classroom?
8) What else do you think we should know about you?
 
1. What is the difference in a good and great teacher?
2. Tell me how you teach?
3. Classroom management issues/problems with the high poverty students?
4. How would you help us close the reading gap between white, black and hispanic students? the school is 45% hispanic and also most all the students are not reading on grade level.
5. If I looked into your classroom how would I know learning was taking place?
 
I was asked these questions yesterday. Just more for you to practice with! :)

Tell us about yourself.
What can you offer our school?
What would you do about misbehavior in your classroom?
How are you with technology?
Tell me what you know about guided reading.
How would you handle assessment?
Give us an example of how you would initiate a reading intervention.
If we walked in your ideal classroom, what would we see?
What three words would your administration use to describe you?
What is your biggest weakness?
How organized are you?
What do you know about our school?
Why should we pick you over everyone in this stack?
How have you interacted with impoverished students in the past?
 
MrsCK said:
I was asked these questions yesterday. Just more for you to practice with! :)

Tell us about yourself.
What can you offer our school?
What would you do about misbehavior in your classroom?
How are you with technology?
Tell me what you know about guided reading.
How would you handle assessment?
Give us an example of how you would initiate a reading intervention.
If we walked in your ideal classroom, what would we see?
What three words would your administration use to describe you?
What is your biggest weakness?
How organized are you?
What do you know about our school?
Why should we pick you over everyone in this stack?
How have you interacted with impoverished students in the past?
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Great questions!! Gives you lots to think about
 
Oh here are 2 more that I forgot about! How could I forget (they are a little different)!

What would you do if a team member was lazy?
What do you know about Harry Wong?
 
Here's what I got at my interview for an anticipated elementary opening:

-Describe your ideal school.
-When did you know you wanted to be a teacher?
-Were all of your elementary teachers "warm and fuzzy?"
-What teacher had the greatest impact on you?
-Do you have any experience with Reading and Writing Workshop?
-What did you learn from your cooperating teacher?
-Describe a hands-on reading or writing lesson that you have taught.
-Which would you prefer-- kindergarten or 5th grade?
-How do you handle differentiation in the classroom?
-How would you feel if you didn't meet a deadline?
-Do you align yourself with a particular person's classroom management theories?

This was my first interview, and the questions were not what I had been expecting! It was with the assistant superintendent and was pretty laid back. We also talked a little about the tornado in Joplin, MO and how that would impact students (even though this district was across the state from Joplin...)
 
Here's another one:

Lets pretend that 3 big events happened in one day. Tell me which of these events is the most important and why.
-You receive the results of a standardized test.
-Your class raises the most money for a schoolwide charity challenge.
-A student who never speaks asks a good question during reading.
 
Milsey said:
Another question I groped around for a plausible answer was...
How would you model a Catholic identity?
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You should have expected a question along these lines.

Schools aren't looking for one right answer, but they are looking for someone who is knowledgeable, passionate, has good content area knowledge and who has done some research about the school/district.

Good luck to you.
 
Here are some I've heard recently:

*Describe the first five minutes of your class.
*How would you be sure that you keep students engaged at all times?
*How do you reach learners at all types of levels?
*[Gave a situational background about stress-causing school stuff] How would you stay positive for your students?
*What would you be able to contribute to our team?
*What do you do if a student needs support?
*How do you discipline?
*What types of assessments do you use?


Any sample answers or advice to these would be appreciated! :)
 
interview tomorrow

I have an interview tomorrow and have been asked to teach a 10 minute mini lesson on similarities and differences. My thought is to use Janet Allen's Common (and Uncommon) denominators graphic organizer, but I need two texts or maps or pictures that will work. Does anyone have any ideas? This will be my 3rd interview in the last week. I didn't get the other two so I know I need to work through the questions as well, but this is the first one to ask me to actually teach.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
 
Hello! I actually went on and interview today and was asked this question:

What do you know about the Gradual Release Program? Tell me about it.

This threw me for a loop. I know I bombed the interview but what made things worse is that I don’t feel like I had their attention. My interviewers were the Principal, Vice Prin, and another teacher. No one really made eye contact with me except the other teacher. This made me feel like they already had someone in mind. Has anyone else ever felt that way?
 
I was on an interview Monday, and they actually gave me the list of questions that they asked. I haven't read this thread, so some of these are probably on there, but I thought I'd add them just in case they're not:

1. What are your goals in teaching?
2. Why would you choose to teach in this school as opposed to another?
3. How important are student and parent relationships to your teaching? How do you create these relationships?
4. What teaching approaches, techniques or methods are most effective for you?
5. What do you do when a lesson or strategy doesn't appear to be working?
6. What "specialty" do you have as a teacher? What do you do really well? What could you bring to our school that would really make a difference?
7. What is your view on discipline/classroom management?
 
MsOpportunity said:
I know I bombed the interview but what made things worse is that I don’t feel like I had their attention. My interviewers were the Principal, Vice Prin, and another teacher. No one really made eye contact with me except the other teacher. This made me feel like they already had someone in mind. Has anyone else ever felt that way?
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Yes! You know its a bad sign when one of the interviewers starts playing on her iPad and then pulls out the next person's application. I could tell in the first 5 minutes they weren't interested.
 
Here are the questions I had in my interview yesterday. It was a last minute interview for a new classroom to be added. Now I have to wait until Monday to hear!


Tell me about yourself.
Tell me about your classroom experiences.
If we were to walk into your classroom, what would we see?
How do you collaborate with other teachers? Grade levels?
What are your thoughts on parental involvement? How do you involve parents?
What would you do if you have a student who simply would not follow directions?
What would you do if a student is falling behind? How will you make sure that the student succeeds?
How do you use standards?
What questions do you have for us?
 
txteach2b, would you mind sending me a copy of your interview note cards? I'm unable to send you a message since I'm new here. I've enjoyed reading through these threads. So much valuable information... thanks everyone!
 
txteach2b said:
I just wanted to remind everyone, new and old, that I still have most of the interview questions from 2009 (I think that's the year I did) on notecards. If you want them, I have them saved in Word format...PM me your email, and I will get them out to you!
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I am going on my first interview next Friday and I am sooooo nervous. Your note cards from the 2009 posts would save me soooo much time and I really appreciate it. My email : vallechat@gmail.com
Thanks:rolleyes:
 
Has anyone here ever used career center services to prepare for interviews or making a portfolio? My university does mock interviews, but I've done a lot of job interviews for someone my age, so I'm wondering if others have generally found career centers helpful.
 
Copy of Interview Questions

txteach2b said:
I just wanted to remind everyone, new and old, that I still have most of the interview questions from 2009 (I think that's the year I did) on notecards. If you want them, I have them saved in Word format...PM me your email, and I will get them out to you!
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Txteach2b, I would love to have a copy of your interview questions, but I'm not able to PM you. Is there another way to get those from you? I have an interview next week and really need some help on interviewing. Thanks!
 
You ever get the questions: What is your favorite color? What is your favorite room in a house and why? What that got to do with the job? I love how do you deal with multiculturalism? We all know you want to say how you do with difference races etc just say it!
puff5655 said:
Please please please can we start a new one? (Or am I the only person preparing for an interview this early in the year?)

Here are some of the most common and difficult to answer questions that I've been mulling over, plus my answers. If you have others, or critiques, please add!!

Tell me about yourself.

I moved to AK because....
At my first teaching job in Koyuk, I learned a lot... but decided to leave because...
I ended up in Akiachak after that, and loved that region.... but decided to move on because...
I am now teaching in Nuiqsut, and my job is great here, but before the plane even landed I knew I missed the Delta region (where Akiachak is and the district I'm applying for is) because...
Everything I've heard about your district is positive....
I think I would be a good fit.

What are your 3 biggest strengths? (or) Why do you think you would be a good fit at our school?

1. Flexibility and adaptability
2. Experience teaching in rural AK- you can be sure you won't get someone who will step off the plane, take a look around, and get back on (yes this actually happens sometimes)
3. Love of teaching

What are your 3 biggest weaknesses?

1. I'm not Yup'ik (this would be sort of a joke.. the kids are Yup'ik, and obviously it would be great if all their teachers were too, but there ain't nothing I can do about that!)
2. I hate confrontations- I'll turn this into a positive by saying because of this I make sure to establish good rel'ships with parents
3. I won't take on too many added duties if they might interfere with my main responsibility as a teacher.

Take me through a typical lesson.

Assess prior to teaching- and make sure they know the vocab I'll be using before I teach a concept (ELLs)
Today I taught rhyming- used the gradual release model
First explained what and why- it will help you learn to read
I do: modeled rhyming matching game
We do: play together
You do: pair kids who can rhyme with kids who can't yet- peer tutoring, to play on their own.
Reassess informally. Later work in small groups with those who aren't getting it.

How do you plan a unit?

Right now doing a storytelling unit.
First, looked at state standards
Then, came up with goals- linked to standards
Next, looked at prof. literature, worked with colleagues to come up with ideas for lessons
Planned activities and assessments, making sure to include mult. intelligences and making it cult. relevant.
Then, while implementing, adapted as needed.

How do you integrate curriculum?

University's ECE program really stressed inquiry approach and integration of subject matter- making it meaningful to kids.
Science/SS don't need to be done separately- in a theme based curriculum, the themes are science or ss themes that are used to teach literacy and math skills.
In today's lesson, we read "The 10 legged bear." The kids listened to the story without pictures (comprehension), sequenced the story, drew and labeled the parts of the story (writing), made sure they had 10 legs on the bear (math), and discussed new hunting vocabulary (science and SS).

What would your math program look like?

I use the gradual release model in math as well.
I assess what they know, including vocab
Then I explain the what and why, and directly teach the concept, giving examples.
Then, individual white boards and we work together
After that, we do workshop- work on new and review concepts with games. Use peer tutoring and small group or 1:1 for struggling students.

Tell me about your reading program.

I think it's especially imporant for ELL's to have a balanced lit. program where they have a lot of time to have conversations and discussions and develop their oral langauge. So I keep lecture to a minimum.

I use both theme based curr. and direct instruction of concepts
In K, schedule would start with a morning message- shared and interactive rdg and wrtg,
Then reading workshop (daily 5) while I do guided reading groups
Next, project work- promoting higher-level thinking
This includes a read-aloud or choral read, discussion, research, followed by a writer's workshop, which is linked to the topic we're studying.
Also make time for open-ended play, where I pull my RTI Tier 3 (or is it 1?) kids for their extra small group support. During this time kids are participating in all sorts of literacy activities of their choosing.

If I walked into your room, what would I see?
Kids independently following routines, having conversations, helping each other. You would feel a real sense of community in the room and a sense of joy in learning- the kids would be highly engaged, and could always tell you what they are learning and why. You would see kids working entirely independently while I worked with small groups, and very little behavior issues.

Describe your philosophy of teaching.
Believe in inquiry approach- child-centered learning
All kids can learn
DAP/Multiple intelligences
Assessment/intentionality in teaching
Importance of collaboration with colleagues and parents
Cultural appropriateness

Describe a lesson that went badly.

Beginning of last year, taught a lesson on patterns.
Was doing color patterns, they weren't getting it.
Found out they didn't know color names.
Had to stop and immediately adjust lesson.
Did shapes instead, they picked it up much faster.
Worked on color names the next few days.

How would you adjust your teaching for ELL students?

(All kids are ELL in this school)
-Use a lot of visuals, constantly be reading their faces and responses for understanding. Go back and rephrase sentences.
-Longer wait times to allow time for processing language
-Gradual release model
-Stay away from lecture, encourage kid's talking, build vocabulary
-Lots of hands-on experience

Do you enjoy collaborating with colleagues?
-Important to have a lot of vertical dialogue in a small school
-Last year, did reading buddies with 3rd grade
-Have weekly collaborative meetings with elementary, brainstorm ideas for lessons with coworkers.

What is your behavior management plan?
-If kids are engaged, you have a good relationship with them, and they know what is expected of them, for the most part behavior problems are eliminated.
-First day of school, we make up rules and model how to follow rules and routines. We practice them over and over.
-After first few weeks, rarely any problems.
-Ongoing problems need further assistance and planning. (I would give example)

How do you involved parents?
-I send home weekly newsletters, parents tell me they enjoy them
-Something important, I call
-Get involved in community events, talk to parents "on their turf."
-Make sure they know they can come in anytime

How do you differentiate instruction?
-throughout day,
-peer tutoring
-small groups and 1:1
-Right now I'm doing this.....

Most satisfying teaching moment?
-When kids first learn how to read and are so proud.
-One child last year was struggling all year, and the first time he could read a whole predecodable, he was so happy and I told him, "Wow, (name), you are SO smart!" The next day, he was reading again and I commented. He said, "Yep, cause I'm so smart." It wasn't even a question, he was sure of it!

Tell us about your most challenging student.

I had a 1st grader reading at a 3rd grade level last year. He was bored to death when we did phonics lessons.
-Worked with coworkers and parents, decided to send him to 2nd grade for reading time. Worked out.
-During workshop, he read a chapter book and wrote reviews at the end of them.

What teaching methods do you use?
-very little lecture
-workshops
-think-pair-share
-class discussion
-peer tutoring
-white boards

How do you use assessment?
-before teaching, check background knowledge
-Here, I use aimsweb, curr. assessments, my own checklists based on the standards, Individual learning plans, notes, portfolios

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
-hopefully in your district
-still in the classroom- no plans to move to administration
-with my master's degree- i start working on it this fall part-time.
-with more knowledge about the culture and teaching

Why do you want to teach here?

I've been looking for a combination of a good job and an area I enjoy living to make my home. I haven't found that yet, but I already know I love the area where your district is, and I've heard nothing but good about your school- that the teachers are happy, turnover is low, there is flexibility with the curriculum, and it seems like the district really cares about what the kids need and about keeping their culture intact.

What would your writing program look like?
-journal as part of the daily 5 (work on writing)
-writing workshop integrated with current project- mini-lesson starts it out, focusing on the 6 traits and the standards

What questions do you have for us?
-What would my class size be?
-What curriculums are available to help with planning?
-What added duty activities or sports might be available that I could help with?
-How far is teacher housing from the school?
-The school's report card from last year looks really impressive. Is it accurate? And what do you believe makes your district unique from other villages that it is performing so well?
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tgpii said:
You ever get the questions: What is your favorite color? What is your favorite room in a house and why? What that got to do with the job? I love how do you deal with multiculturalism? We all know you want to say how you do with difference races etc just say it!
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http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?p=1593851&posted=1#post1593851 (Sorry, I'm having multi-quote issues)

You've posted the exact same response twice, even though the subject of race hasn't been brought up by anyone else... the closest anyone has come is "multiculturalism."

Multiculturalism is NOT just about teaching kids of a variety of different races... it's so much more than that!
 
tgpii said:
You ever get the questions: What is your favorite color? What is your favorite room in a house and why? What that got to do with the job? I love how do you deal with multiculturalism? We all know you want to say how you do with difference races etc just say it!
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I serve on my school hiring committee...we've never asked such questions. We are a diverse district, but never have felt the need to ask any questions about race...we're looking to hire professionals who can reach and teach all kinds of learners.
 
czacza said:
I serve on my school hiring committee...we've never asked such questions. We are a diverse district, but never have felt the need to ask any questions about race...we're looking to hire professionals who can reach and teach all kinds of learners.
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I actually had a school when I was first searching 2 years ago ask me what the demographics of my ST school were. I said that it was mostly low SES students from various cultural backgrounds, assuming it would be inappropriate to mention specific race. They then flat out asked me what the racial make up of my class was, which was about 25% hispanic and 75% white. After I told them, they promptly ended the interview by telling me I didn't have enough experience with black people to work in their school. This was the 3rd question they'd asked me! Around this state pretty much any school is going to ask you how you work with ELL students, but I have not heard race brought up specifically yet.
 
waterfall said:
I actually had a school when I was first searching 2 years ago ask me what the demographics of my ST school were. I said that it was mostly low SES students from various cultural backgrounds, assuming it would be inappropriate to mention specific race. They then flat out asked me what the racial make up of my class was, which was about 25% hispanic and 75% white. After I told them, they promptly ended the interview by telling me I didn't have enough experience with black people to work in their school. This was the 3rd question they'd asked me! Around this state pretty much any school is going to ask you how you work with ELL students, but I have not heard race brought up specifically yet.
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So sad that they view their kids this way.
 
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