Special Education Interview Questions

Describe what an effective collaboration would look like

Effective collaboration between team members is rooted in trust, respect, open communication, encouragement, and kindness. Effective collaboration is attained when everybody is open to suggestions, opinions, and where each member's ideas are respected and heard. And there shouldn't be any blaming on a single team member, because a group doesn't fail because of one person, it only fails when every member of the group fails. I see a team as a whole, connected and working together, each and every person is important and should be accountable for the goal. Communication and motivation for each other should be constant, and challenges and progress should be discussed to keep the team working together effectively.

A student if off task and refusing to listen to your directions. How do you handle this?

I don't push the student to finish the task right away. But in my classroom, everybody is held accountable and they would know it. I use token economy to motivate my students on their school work. If a student is refusing to work and listen, they know that eventually they would have to follow the rules we have set (sometimes it means that they will be in the quiet area, or they can stay in their seat but is not allowed to do anything while they wait for their classmates to finish). They are reminded of the rules and the rewards that we have set when they refuse to follow. This helps them to self-regulate and be aware of the consequences of their actions.

What should you include in a common core lesson?

I'll include learning objectives and the standards which are going to be addressed in the lesson. The procedures and activities should be completely explained and understood by the students and it should be clear which target goals are being met and what students are expected to do. I would do reviews of previous lessons to refresh their memory before introducing new lessons, scaffoldings will also be frequently used. In the end, students will be evaluated by using rubrics for the lesson. Lastly, I like to reflect on what was effective and what wasn't to improve on future lessons.

How do you ensure effective classroom management?

In my classroom, I try to communicate to students what is expected of them that day and after the lesson/activity. Communication is key in the classroom. I ask them what they want and I tell them what I also want. We make classroom rules together and post it where they can see them and read it together every day until it becomes a habit for them to follow these rules. Modeling behavior and group activities also help to establish students' rapport with each other and strengthen their relationships through helping each other out. I make my classroom comfortable, energetic, and happy. I offer praise and encouragement verbally and non verbally all the time and teach my students to motivate their classmates and to motivate themselves.

How do you check for student understanding?

Most of the time, I can tell when a student is not getting the lesson or the activity. They have that blank and glassy look in their eyes. Sometimes, certain lesson presentations should be modified for optimal learning. When I catch that they are not grasping the lesson, I change how I teach it and use a different material. I like to tap on all the learning styles and use different modes of teaching to ensure that every student is being included. I check for their understanding continuously by probing them with questions about the lesson and if applicable, ask them to give me examples and how they could relate it to their life. As for final assessments of the lessons, rubrics will be made according to the target goals and curriculum goals that need to be achieved.

How would you use student assessment data?

Student data can reveal where the student is currently based on his or her development and progress. It can reveal where they are struggling in, their abilities and skills, and where their potentials lie. Of course, these data will be further clarified and investigated. From it, I can anchor evidenced-based judgments where I can build effective pedagogical methods to ensure continuous progress. Each student is unique and they learn differently, data can reveal what kind of strategies and methods I can employ so that student's improvement is achieved.

If an observer walked into your classroom, what would he/she observe that would evidence student engagement?

Student engagement for me is being alert and happy. When they are willing to do the work and excited to ask questions and receive answers. Children have that look when they don't understand something, so I think it is easily recognizable when a student is engaged and learning in class. Their faces lit up and there is a certain energy in the room that people can feel and see.

Why do you want to teach?

When I was young, I have experienced being misunderstood by teachers in the classroom. I know how a teacher's response to students will either inspire or break them. One of my undergraduate professors told our class upon graduation that now that we have finished college, our responsibility to our society and community has only just begun. Because we have the gift of education, we must ensure that others will have it too. I didn't grow up wanting to be a teacher, but my love of learning and teaching has naturally led me to this path. Why do I want to teach? Simply because I want to. In my own way, this is how I give back and I want to ensure that, even if it's just in my classroom, no student will ever be misunderstood in my watch. They will be given chances to be inspired and inspire, to learn and teach, and most importantly, to be themselves.

How do you know you have developed positive relationships with students?

When a student is open in communicating with me in all aspects. When they tell me they are happy that day or if they are sad; when they are open about their frustrations and if they're having a hard time in the classroom; when they want to tell me a silly joke or show me a new dance they learned; when simply they just want to share stories of any kind. And also, when I am the same to them. When I can get through to them when they are having a challenging day and when I am also open in communicating. Because a positive relationship is a two-way street and means that both sides are open and comfortable with each other. That's the time I know that I have developed a good relationship with my students.