Interview Questions

EA 754
February 5, 2014

Julie Zemnickas and Kristin Weber

Introduction: The following questions are developed for a job opening for a classroom teacher in any
core content area within a high school.

1. Topic: Introduction

First Question: Tell us about yourself?

Rationale: This will give the candidate an opportunity to discuss their professional
background and personal qualities.

Tag question: What makes you qualified for this teaching position?

2. Topic: Instructional Strategy

First Question: Describe your role in the classroom.

Rationale: Interested in whether the candidate is teacher centered or student centered
in their instructional approach.

Tag question: How would you know if you instructional role is effective with students?

3. Topic: Instructional Techniques

First Question: Describe your most effective teaching techniques?

Rationale: Question is important in understanding how the teacher views effective
instruction in the classroom and gauges learner success.

Tag question: How would you gauge the effectiveness of the activity? How would you
know it had a positive impact on learning and retention?

4. Topic: Differentiation of Instruction

First Question How will you meet the needs of the students in your classroom that come from
different backgrounds like ethnicity, socioeconomic status, different home language, etc.?

Rationale Want to see if the teacher understands the concept of differentiated instruction and
that it requires getting to know your students well to understand what instructional methods
work best for each student.

Tag Question How would you deal with an unmotivated student?
5. Topic: Curriculum

First Question Our district has recently adopted the Common Core State Standards for
mathematics and ELA. What are some key ideas from these standards that you will be
incorporating into your classroom on a daily basis?

Rationale Want to see if the teacher knows that the practice standards for mathematics are
essential to classroom instruction with Common Core.

Tag Question Give an example of when you have planned a unit. What was the process
that you went through to complete this?

6. Topic: Assessment

First Question What would you do if 50% of your students failed a test?

Rationale Want to see if the teacher will just move on to the next topic or spend time to re-
teach the material for student understanding.

Tag Question What could you do in the future to be better informed of your students
progress prior to giving a test to prevent a large number of failures?

7. Topic: Technology

First Question: How do you integrate technology into your lessons?

Rationale: Understanding of the appropriate use of technology for instructional use is
essential in preparing students for the future.

Tag question: How do you use technology as a teacher?

8. Topic: Communication

First Question: Give us examples of how you have communicated with other teachers in
your department.

Rationale: Gives candidate opportunity to discuss their ideas and feelings of learning
communities and teamwork.

Tag question: Has there ever been a time when another teacher didnt agree with you?
How did you handle this? What was the outcome?




9. Topic: Communication

First Question: How do you communicate with parents on a regular basis?

Rationale: Interested in seeing how important parent communication is for candidate.

Tag question: How has your communication with parents impacted the students in your
classroom?

10. Topic: Involvement in the School

First Question Our school has a very involved student body. What are some areas that you
would be willing to participate in order to help our student activities remain successful in our
school?

Rationale Want to see if the teacher will be involved in the school outside of classroom
teaching to create a better school culture that has very involved teachers.

Tag Question What is one way that you could help create a better school culture within
your classroom?