As you near the end of your teacher education and start clearing the certification requirements, the prospect of job interviews rises in your teaching career horizon. Like any other job interview, a teacher's interview also focuses on relevant questions and answers in the field of education and the world, at large. Put your best foot forward, keep it simple, and prepare with these simple tips and model interview questions.
You have probably put a lot of thought and effort into your search for teaching jobs in India. There are many ways to learn about the school/ college/ university you are going to apply for. This will help you attune your skills and abilities to the requirements of the job profile.
The more research you have done the better equipped you will be to answer and ask the right questions.
Leverage social media, the internet, your circle of friends, and colleagues from the teaching profession to learn as much as you can about the Board of education, the curriculum, school initiatives in the community, extracurricular activities, student demographics, or any other relevant information.
What Are Hiring Managers Looking For During An Interview With Teachers?
Generic responses are great only when you are trying to resolve a diplomatic crisis! During a teaching interview, most desirable candidates answer directly to the premise of the question asked, such as explaining in crisp sentences, their suitability for the teaching job and for the particular school they apply for.
It makes it much easier for a hiring manager to make a decision when the applicant spells out why they would be a great hire.
Most hiring managers want to see if you understand what it takes to be a teacher. A teaching job requires certain qualities that are distinct from other jobs available in the market, hence your answer should be concise and must factor the students when you answer them.
Education and Teaching Certification
Hiring managers first evaluate a teacher's educational background. They look for candidates who hold the necessary teaching certifications and degrees related to the subject or grade level they will be teaching. It is the most important aspect of the hiring process.
Teaching Experience
Experience is valuable. Every hiring manager wants to see the experience of the person they are hiring. As teaching requires you to interact with young teens and adults, it's important that your experience highlights your education.
Subject Knowledge
In subject-specific roles, deep knowledge of the subject is crucial. Teachers must demonstrate their expertise in the subject they will be teaching.
Classroom Management Skills And Adaptability
Effective classroom management is essential for maintaining a productive and positive learning environment. Hiring managers assess a candidate's ability to handle discipline, engage students, and create a well-structured classroom.
The ability to adapt to different learning styles and abilities is vital. Each generation is different, Gen Z is different from millennials and vice versa, it is important to adapt your communication skills as per the students.
Personal appearance, hand gestures, and confident demeanor are some of the keys to success in a teaching job interview. | Source: Headway on Unsplash
How to Ace An Interview For Teachers?
You have cleared your teacher training course with flying colours. Now is your chance to land your dream job in education. Here are some easy steps you can take while preparing for and during your upcoming job interview.
Teaching Philosophy
Recruiters are interested in who bring their own thoughts and opinions into the core of academic subjects and topics related to teaching. For example, structuring a lesson plan or employing new methodologies of teaching, or even your views on bullying. The interviewer may assess you on the basis of your thoughts on such sensitive issues.
Body Language and Presentation
Contrary to popular belief, teachers are not gods! They can be just as absent-minded as the rest of us. However, during an interview, don't let this get the better of you.
A clean appearance, a confident demeanour, and an organized self-management will appeal to your interviewers. Use these additional tips to get your interview body language correct.
- Sit all the way back in your seat
- Avoid direct eye contact (at least, try not to stare)
- Use hand gestures while speaking (don't go overboard)
- Keep your feet planted to the ground
- Walk confidently
- Breathe deeply and speak while exhaling
- Nod your head while listening
Promote Yourself
Think about how you can fit into the culture of the schools you are applying for and whether your personality (and answers) reflects that. Be as honest as you can and answer in the relevant language. Draw attention to elements in your professional experience that answer why you are the perfect fit.
Focus on the Moment
You know how to work as a teacher. You have literally earned a degree to prove that you have the experience and knowledge to teach a class of students. The only new thing here is to impress upon others that you can do the job that they are advertising.
All you have to do is prepare your supporting materials, and communicate your passion with prospective employers.
You don't have to be perfect, only human. Pull all your experience together to bring out your commitment, intelligence, passion, and dedication to the job of inspiring students to be the best they are capable of.
Dress Appropriately
No amount of training can prepare you to dress the right way for the interview to work in your favor. Appearance is the first thing that the interviewer will notice. Your skills, training, and teaching experience will only matter later. Dress professionally and dress according to the values of the school where you are applying for the job - for example, conservative and formal, or semi-casual.
Teacher Interview Questions
In a teaching job interview, the interviewer is likely to ask the most common interview questions. For example, “what are your greatest strengths and weaknesses” or “why do you want this job?”They may also like you to answer more specific questions related to the job profile - for example, "what are your approaches towards preparing a lesson plan for Grade 2 Science?"
During any interview, one must adopt the STAR technique:
S- Situation
T- Task
A - Action
R - Result
However, on the day of the interview, you cannot leave anything to chance. Superprof has put together a list of common teaching interview questions that the interviewer is likely to ask you, as well as some insights into how to answer them.
Why Did You Choose Teaching As a Career?
Preparing a mission statement may come in handy as you try to answer this question. The answer should not only explain why and how you plan to influence change in students' lives but also how enriched your own life will be owing to the experience of teaching. You can also incorporate ideas from the school's own vision statement.
Sample Answer:
I chose teaching as a career because I have a deep passion for education and a strong desire to make a positive impact on students' lives. From a young age, I found joy in helping my peers understand complex concepts, and I realized the satisfaction that comes from being a guide in someone's learning journey. As I grew older, I recognized that teaching was not just about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing the intellectual and personal growth of students.
Teaching offers a unique opportunity to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning. It allows me to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students feel valued and encouraged to express their ideas. I believe that education is the key to personal and societal progress, and I am driven to contribute to that progress by equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
What’s Your Teaching Style or Philosophy?
This question focuses on your personal philosophy about teaching as a profession. Keep your answer simple, and ensure you give an example of how you showcased your teaching philosophy in your previous job or, what it meant for you to be a teacher.
Your answer requires:
- Personal Experience
- Highlight Your Experience
Sample answer:
My teaching style and philosophy are centered on the belief that education should be a dynamic and student-centered experience. I see myself as a facilitator of learning, creating an environment where students are active participants in their education rather than passive recipients of information.
Education is the pillar of the nation, when you educate a child, you educate the nation's future.
One key aspect of my teaching philosophy is to recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities of my students. I aim to create an inclusive and equitable classroom where every student feels valued and can thrive. This involves differentiating my instruction to meet individual needs, providing additional support when necessary, and fostering a sense of belonging for all.
How would you handle a non-attentive student?
Focus less on the reactive ways and more on new approaches to proactive classroom management strategies. Classroom management ensures the smooth running of a class, an essential quality of a good teacher on any given day!
Your answer requires the following things:
- Empathy
- Positive reinforcement
- Solution based approach
Sample Answer:
Handling a non-attentive student is a challenge that I believe can be addressed effectively through a combination of patience, understanding, and strategic classroom management. If I notice a pattern of inattention, I approach the student for a private and non-confrontational conversation. I express my concern, inquire about any potential difficulties they may be facing, and offer support. I strive to create an open and empathetic dialogue.
What is your strategy for maintaining positive relations with students?
They probably did not teach this in How to Become a Teacher 101. This is a personal and subjective question and there is no right or wrong answer to it. In such a scenario, you can recount a personal experience.
For example, share an anecdote about how you bonded with a student who needed extra care and compassion. This will convey your concern for the emotional well-being of students.
What are your thoughts on literacy for all?
Be it the English language or Hindi, Science, or History - every subject teacher is also a literacy teacher. As a result, you must prepare to answer how you can aid the development of your students' reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Your answer requires:
- Highlight your best skills
- Ability to adapt
- Your personal teaching philosophy
Sample Answer:
Literacy is a powerful tool that empowers individuals to access information, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions. It is the foundation of personal and professional success and plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Without the ability to read and write, individuals cannot fully participate in the learning process. Promoting literacy is essential for ensuring quality education and lifelong learning for all.
How do you view collaborative and project-based learning?
To answer this, start off with a brief explanation of your understanding of these two distinct modes of learning. CIte an example that your students may have worked on in your previous work experience. Interviewers need examples of real-world experience to assess your eligibility for a role.
How do you plan to keep students motivated?
Discuss your own ideas about making your classroom more engaging, creative, and driven by a purpose. To keep students motivated, you must be a motivational teacher yourself. Let your interviewer discover this aspect of your personality through the answers you provide!
Your Answer must highlight:
- Your Communication skills
- Ability to connect with parents
Sample Answer
Keeping students motivated is a vital aspect of effective teaching. My approach to motivating students encompasses a combination of strategies designed to foster enthusiasm for learning and create a positive and engaging classroom environment.
As a teacher, one must believe in making lessons relevant to students' lives. I strive to show how the subject matter connects to their interests, aspirations, and the real world. This contextualization helps students see the practical applications of what they are learning.
How do you communicate with parents and guardians?
Another question that must engage the interviewer with personal stories. Face to face meetings, exchange of notes, personal phone calls, or emails - these are a few examples of engaging, informing, and collaborating with parents and guardians. Align your stories to these ideas and present them on the day of your interview
What is your personal and professional development strategy?
Finally, with an eye to the future, the interviewer may like to know what you think about a teacher's personal growth and your own strategies for it. Talk about specific resources you would use, such as STEM education tools, the books you read, the blogs you follow, or the education communities you are part of.
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