Teacher Interview Questions

One of the most important roles of the principal is to support and strengthen the professional learning culture at the school. When a teaching vacancy emerges and a posting is created, it is an opportunity to add a new voice, and hopefully, a professional, collaborative and innovative educator who will help the school grow. In a healthy school, new staff members are welcomed and colleagues are curious to meet them and hear their ideas and ways of teaching. In a stagnant organization, staff are wary of the new person, or worse, there is an unspoken expectation for new people to 'fit in' and adapt to a 'this is how it's done here' mindset.

Principals are interested in hiring talented and dedicated people. Following and respecting the language of the collective agreement is important and it can be limiting; however, each posting is a chance to read applications and resumes, contact references and meet with people interested in joining the school community. Principals are looking for professional and reflective educators who are always learning and improving their craft. We are also looking for passionate, caring people who love their work and understand that their primary role is to connect with all students in meaningful ways and help them learn. People who have energy and want to inspire and engage students and be a positive contributor to the school.

Interviewing is an art as hearing what people say while listening intently to what they really mean is subjective and intuitive. I try to put candidates at ease as I sincerely want them to “wow me”. I am posting my interview questions online to allow teachers an opportunity to think about them before the interview. Like all good assessment practices, we hope to give candidates every opportunity to demonstrate what they understand, know and can do (and believe). We may not ask all of these, but there will be no surprise or trick questions.

When considering the following questions, good advice is to demonstrate, describe specific examples or bring in and show us paper or digital exemplars in supporting your answers. Also, prepare for your interview. Explore school websites and read their School Story, assessment guidelines, vision statements, etc. 

Welcome and thank you for meeting with us. Please tell us about yourself and how your life’s journey led you to wanting to be a teacher? 

Are there any important differences between "teaching" and "learning"? Please explain. 

Curriculum is organized around big ideas, curricular content and competencies and interconnected by a series of core competencies. Using this framework as a guide, please describe what you want students to "know, be able to do and understand" at the end of your course? That is, what is the purpose of your class? (select one from the posting or one you teach currently). 

Please describe how you use assessment to provide feedback to help students learn as well as to inform and adapt your teaching. 

If a fundamental principle of learning is that students learn in a variety of ways and at different rates, describe how you have, or how you intend to engage and support the diverse group of learners in your classes. 

If a student or group of students are not learning or achieving learning outcomes in your class, how will you respond? 

We believe that effective teachers are learners and collaborators. Please describe what professional learning you are engaged in currently. Please explain how you have worked with or learned from colleagues to improve your professional practice. 

Describe how you are an innovative teacher. Explain something you have recently added or tried in your professional practice and what you learned from the experience. 

Technology is an every day part of life for our students. Describe how you use technology in your professional practice to augment or transform learning, and to help students create, collaborate or be more engaged? 

What is your role in motivating, inspiring and mentoring all learners? Please describe how you will connect with and build confidence in your students. 

Students at our school have a wide variety of interests and passions and we strive to provide a multitude of experiences for them to be connected, both inside and outside of the classroom. Explain how this is an important feature in a healthy school. Describe how you will contribute to our students’ lives in a positive way. 

We strive to nourish an ethos of “kindness, care and respect” at our school, every day and in every interaction. Please describe what this means to you and how you intend to contribute to these core values. 

Parents are the first educators of their children. Describe how you actively include and engage the parents of secondary school students. 

Our school has published our own Learner Profile. Are you familiar with this? If yes, please describe how these six attributes or competencies can help students and teachers at our school? 

Thinking of teachers you know, have worked with or perhaps those who have taught you, please describe the attributes of an “outstanding teacher”. Comment on where you are on your journey to becoming an outstanding educator. 

If I were to ask your current or former students, what adjectives would they use to describe you as a teacher? How do you invite feedback from students on your courses and teaching practices? 

We are very interested in continuing our journey to becoming an exemplary secondary school. Please describe the characteristics of an “outstanding school” and, as a teacher, describe your role in contributing to that ideal. 

Finally, do you have any questions for us?