Interview Questions for Teachers

Becoming a teacher isn’t just about knowing the subject - it’s also about communication, classroom management, adaptability, and passion. As a teacher you'll use your knowledge and skills to inspire and educate the next generation and the variety of your job means that you'll gain plenty of transferable skills in return.

Interviewers want to see how you handle real challenges, how you motivate students, and how you reflect on your own practice.

In this blog, you will find common teacher interview questions, plus example answers to help you prepare - especially using tools like Interviewly.me, where you can practice delivering these answers and get feedback in real time.

So, let's dive in!

1. Tell us about yourself and your teaching philosophy.

Why they ask it: To see how you align with their school’s values, your self-awareness, and your motivation.

Sample answer:

“I’ve been teaching middle school English for five years, and what drives me most is helping students discover their voice through writing. My teaching philosophy centers on two ideas: fostering a safe, inclusive environment, and using differentiated instruction so every student can succeed. I believe that when students feel supported, are challenged just enough, and see relevance in what they’re learning, they become more engaged and resilient.”

2. Why do you want to work at this school?

Why they ask it: To see if you’ve done your research and what attracts you to THAT school.

Sample answer:

“I’ve long admired how your school emphasizes project‑based learning and community involvement. I read your mission statement about fostering leadership and critical thinking in students, which aligns with my own philosophy. I’m particularly impressed by your STEM outreach programs and partnerships with local organizations. I believe that in such an environment I can both contribute and continue professional growth. Plus, I visited and met some staff; I felt a warm, collaborative culture - exactly what I look for in a team.”

3. What do you like most about teaching?

Why they ask it: To understand what genuinely motivates you in your work.

Sample answer:

“What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing progress over time - especially with students who initially struggle or lack confidence. Watching them gradually develop skills, start asking better questions, or take more initiative is incredibly rewarding. It reminds me that small, consistent efforts can make a lasting difference. I also enjoy the variety - no two days are exactly the same, and that keeps the job interesting and challenging.”

4. How do you motivate active learning?

Why they ask it: To see how you encourage student participation, curiosity, and engagement.

Sample answer:

“I find students are most engaged when they see real-world relevance in what they’re learning. I use project-based activities, discussions, and choice-based assignments to give them ownership. For example, in a recent unit, students created podcasts to explore social issues they cared about. That format motivated even the quieter students to participate more actively. I also try to include movement and collaborative tasks whenever possible to keep energy levels up.”

5. How do you handle classroom management and discipline?

Why they ask it: They want to gauge whether you can maintain order, fairness, and a positive environment.

Sample answer:

“I believe strong classroom management begins with setting clear expectations, together with students, in a class agreement. From day one, I define our values - respect, responsibility, kindness - and I model them. If disruptions occur, I first try restorative approaches (student conferences, peer mediation) before moving to more formal consequences. I also reinforce positive behaviors through praise and incentives. This approach has helped most students understand boundaries and become more accountable without feeling punished unfairly.”

4. How do you plan lessons that accommodate diverse learning needs?

Why they ask it: To see your skill with differentiated instruction and inclusivity.

Sample answer:

“I begin with knowing my students: pre-assessments, learning styles, interests, and backgrounds. Then, I design tiered activities - for example, in a reading unit, advanced students might analyze themes and symbolism, while others focus on comprehension and vocabulary-building. I also use multiple modalities: visual aids, group work, hands‑on projects, and individual tasks. I often check understanding during the lesson (through exit tickets or mini‑quizzes) and adapt on the fly. In my previous role, adapting lessons this way increased participation by about 30%, especially among students who had been less engaged.”

5. How do you give feedback to students?

Why they ask it: Feedback is crucial for learning; they want to know you use it effectively.

Sample answer:

“I believe feedback should be timely, specific, and growth‑oriented. After assignments, I point out strengths first, then areas for improvement, then steps for what the student can do next. I encourage self‑reflection: sometimes I ask students to critique their own work before I comment. Also, I use peer feedback where possible - it helps students learn to critique and accept criticism. For example, in my last class, peer review sessions improved final drafts significantly, and students said they felt more ownership over their learning.”

6. Describe a challenging situation with a student or class, and how you resolved it.

Why they ask it: To assess problem-solving, resilience, interpersonal skills.

Sample answer:

“In one class, a student was frequently disruptive - talking out of turn and distracting others. First, I tried meeting privately to understand what was going on: turned out, they were struggling with reading and felt embarrassed. Together we made a plan: extra support during reading time, and a signal they could use silently when they felt overwhelmed instead of acting out. I also partnered them with a peer reader. Over a few weeks, the behavior improved markedly, and class climate became more positive. It taught me the importance of listening, empathy, and targeted support.”

7. How do you integrate technology into your teaching?

Why they ask it: Schools increasingly expect digital literacy, and that you can leverage tech for learning.

Sample answer:

“I integrate technology in a way that enhances learning rather than distracts. For example, I use interactive platforms like Kahoot or Quizlet for review, Google Classroom for submitting and giving feedback, and digital storytelling tools for creative assignments. I also incorporate multimedia - videos, simulations - to make abstract ideas more concrete. During remote learning, I learned how to keep students engaged via breakout rooms and collaborative docs. By using tech thoughtfully, I’ve seen students become more independent learners.”

8. How do you assess student learning?

Why they ask it: To see how you know whether students are learning and how you adjust your teaching accordingly.

Sample answer:

“Assessment shouldn’t be just about grades but about understanding and growth. I use a mix of formative assessments (quizzes, observations, exit tickets) and summative assessments (projects, exams). Formative assessments allow me to identify misunderstandings early and adjust instruction. I also use rubrics so students clearly know what’s expected, and involve them in self- or peer‑assessment. Finally, I analyze assessment data to adjust future lesson plans or provide extra help to those who need it.”

9. How do you engage parents and guardians in students’ education?

Why they ask it: Parental involvement often correlates with student success; school wants teachers who partner with families.

Sample answer:

“I make communication a priority - regular updates via email or school platform, newsletters, and scheduled conferences. I also like to invite parents to class events or projects when possible, so they see what students are doing. If concerns arise, I prefer early, honest conversations, focusing on strengths as well as challenges. In one case, a parent worried their child was falling behind; I set up weekly check-ins and shared simple strategies the parent could use at home. That partnership improved the student’s confidence and performance.”

10. What are your professional development goals?

Why they ask it: To see if you’re committed to growth, staying current, improving as a teacher.

Sample answer:

“I’m always keen to grow. In the next year, I plan to complete a certification or workshop in inclusive education to better support neurodiverse students. I’d also like to deepen my skills in data‑driven instruction - learning more about how to use assessment analytics to tailor learning paths. Finally, I’m interested in peer coaching or mentorship, both to learn from others and help new teachers.”

How to Use Interviewly.me to Nail These Questions

• Record practice: Use the “Custom Setup” mode to input your own teacher‐role, then practice answering these questions out loud.
• Simulate the real thing: Use timed practice to mimic the pressure of an interview. Time limits force you to be concise and sharp.
• Get feedback: After each response, check Interviewly’s feedback on content quality, clarity, communication skills, and improvement suggestions. Revise and try again.
• Track your growth: Review your analytics to see which kinds of questions you struggle with - behavioral? classroom management? - and focus your practice there.

Final Tips to Succeed in a Teacher Interview

• Be specific: Use real examples. Instead of saying “I manage classrooms well,” describe a particular time, steps you took, outcome.
• Show growth: Be honest about challenges or failures, but highlight what you learned and how you adapted.
• Reflect your values: Student welfare, inclusion, respect—show that these aren’t just buzzwords to you.
• Practice out loud: Speaking helps you find your voice, polish answers, and reduce nervousness. Tools like Interviewly.me make this easy and measurable.
• Ask questions: At the end, when they ask “Any questions for us?”- you might ask about professional development, mentorship, school values, or support for teachers. Demonstrates that you're thoughtful.

Structuring your responses to interview questions using the STAR method will ensure you're getting your point across:

• Situation - give context for your anecdote
• Task - explain what you were asked to do
• Activity - describe what you did
• Result - explain how the situation played out.

Keep your answers concise. Describe your maximum achievement in the minimum time, and be sure to finish on a positive note so your interviewers are left with a strong overall impression of you.

Preparing for a teaching interview doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right questions, thoughtful answers, and a bit of practice, you can walk in with confidence. Focus on real classroom experiences, student impact, and your growth as an educator.

Good luck with your interview!