interview questions

How did your student teaching experience prepare you for the classroom? What do you still have to learn?

My student teaching experience has prepared me for interacting with students in the classroom and with ways to teach them. One thing I still have to learn and I'm nervous about learning is the discipline factor. there will be problem students that I will come across and I do not know how to properly deal with that in a way that is still nice. I would avoid being the disciplinary teacher if I could but that's just not always possible

What is your teaching style or philosophy?

My teaching philosophy is that every student is unique and learns in their own way, allowing them to grow in their own way. I will support their growth by learning alongside them and creating a safe classroom community where they are free to express their thoughts. My role as a teacher is to create lesson plans that include every learning style and to connect with every student so that I will know how to help them learn to the best of their ability.

Describe your understanding of "diversity" and why it should or should not be a focus in teacher preparation

My understanding of diversity is teaching about different cultures and lifestyles so that students can be better citizens in their community and in their life. through each other's diversity we become more aware of our own. diversity widens viewpoints and takes different ideas and perspectives into account

How do you support literacy for all students, including English language learners?

No matter their content area, every teacher is a literacy teacher. Explain how you help develop your students' reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Here are 12 ways to support English language learners in a mainstream classroom.

How do you maintain your own professional development, and what areas would you select for your personal growth?

You might read books and blogs, watch videos online, subscribe to journals, atternd conferences and workshops, or be a your field. Be ready to talk about the member of an educators society in specific resources you use to keep up with the latest trends in education, such as growth and benefit mindsets, flexible seating, flipped and blended learning, STEAM, trauma-informed teaching, restorative practices, mindfulness, makerspaces, and

Why should we consider you for our program instead of several other equally qualified candidates?

You should consider me for the program over other candidates because I have had lots of experience and I am extremely passionate about this program and even about the school. I've been going to SOU for 3 years now and it's been such an amazing experience and I've gotten to know many teachers and the admin and different students at the university. I'm a very hard worker and I Don't give up on pursuing my dreams.

Do you incorporate collaborative and project-based learning?

Discuss the difference between cooperative and collaborative learning , and if you have implemented PBL, describe a specific assignment your students worked on.

State three strengths that you have and why you consider them strengths.

1. I I'm always wanting to learn. I consider this a strength because I've realized that not many people are open to seeing things from outside of their usual view. however I love seeing things from a new perspective and I think it's really exciting to learn new things everyday 2. I am hard-working. I consider this a strength because I have a lot of goals I want to accomplish in life and to complete those I need to be hardworking. If I indulged in my laziness too much I would never get anything done. 3. I am positive. I consider this a strength because I'm always the friend people go to whenever they need someone to cheer them up or look on the bright side of things. it also helps me to be positive in my own life because it gives me hope and inspiration for what I can accomplish

What would one of your undergraduate teachers say about you as a student?

A teacher of mine would probably say I am very passionate. I am passionate about learning and about the ideas I have with writing. everything I do I do with 100% of me and I think my teachers can see that as well.

what are your weaknesses as a teacher/student?

A weakness I have is that I tend to take on way too many projects at once and I can overwhelm myself. however I am good at managing my time so I am able to complete all of the tasks even though they may seem overwhelming in the moment.

How has your undergraduate background prepared you for this school?

All the classes have taken so far have prepared me for this program. I have taken a lot of teaching literature classes and English classes here at SOU. I feel fully prepared to begin in the teaching program. I have learned how to write and read better while also learning how to teach others how to do the same.

How will you assess student progress?

Answering this question is important. Middle school teachers need to be able to show their hiring manager what they will do to measure learning success in the classroom. While end-of-year testing is a common way, teachers need to be able to measure progress throughout the year. Talk about quizzes, assignments, tests, and other programs you will implement as a teacher to help foster learning and measure progress

What can you contribute to our school beyond your specific classes?

Answering this question will show the interviewer a lot about you. In the high school setting there are many extra-curricular activities that students can participate in. Often teachers are needed to help run these programs, so an interviewer may want to know what kinds of clubs or teams you could help run. Have a couple ideas in mind that you can share-talk about your extra- curricular experiences in high school or your hobbies and how they could lend themselves to a great experience in the school.

tell me about yourself

I am a student here at SOU. I am graduating with my bachelor's in English this year and I'm hoping to join the teaching program. I've always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember and reading and writing has been a passion of mine forever and it has only grown while learning more about it all in college. whenever I find spare time I am reading all the books on my to be read shelf or doing arts and crafts.

How do you teach 21st-century learners, integrate technology, and guide students to be global citizens?

Be prepared to talk about how you teach global citizenship and encourage critical thinking, creativity, and good communication skills. Here are ways to integrate technology into content learning.

How will you design your classroom to engage young students?

Classroom design is important for students in elementary school. They need to be able to create a fun, inviting environment so students will be excited about learning. Share your plans for a theme, reading, spelling, and math elements that will create a great environment for students of all ages.

How do you use data to differentiate instruction and support students identified with specific learning disabilities so all students can learn?

First, be ready with the names of a couple of data-rich student assessments you're familiar with. Your interviewers won't demand that they be the same ones they use, but the fact that you're aware of testing practices is important. Then, here are 20 differentiated instruction strategies you can use to prepare your answer on how you respond to data Also, show your knowledge of these 11 learning disabilities and describe a few ways you work with parents and school resource personnel to meet the individual needs of each child.

How do you keep your students engaged and motivated, and how do you promote student voice and choice to help them become self- directed learners?

Here are 10 student motivation and enthusiasm. student-centered classroom that purpose.

How will you communicate and build relationships with parents?

High schoolers are old enough to take control of their own schooling and education, but it's still very important for teachers to connect to parents. Talk about your plans to make connections with parents including through email or phone calls, parent-teacher conferences, a website so parents can understand what their students are learning, and more.

what are your strengths as a teacher/student?

I am a very goal oriented person who is great at completing tasks and adapting to new environments. I'm also really good at building connections with people which helps when in a learning environment. there was this one instance when I was aiding for a teacher and a student had not completed any work and was really angry because she didn't want to do anything. The teacher I was eating asked me to go help her and I was completely nervous not sure entirely what to do but I went over and I was talking with her and we ended up laughing and she was smiling and then is she completed all of her work in that class period. building connections is essential for teachers to connect with students and for the students to want to learn from their teachers.

what are you currently learning about and interested in?

I am taking a class with Merrilyne about the natural world around us and in literature. This class has really excited me as I'm rediscovering my love for the natural world and the way it interacts with my day to day life.

How Do You ldentify and Address Learning Disabilities?

I can identify learning disabilities in the classroom by seeing which students struglle more than others and need a little bit of extra assistance. To address this, I would put students together at tables with different skill levels. By doing this, the students can solve problems together and help the students who need that extra help and explanation.

Describe your experiences with children of the age with whom you hope to work. What other ways have you worked toward becoming a teacher?

I have been working with high schoolers in the marching band at the HS I graduated from. it has been one of the best experiences ever. just getting to know the kids, building connections, helping them learn, seeing the look of "I get it now!" on their face. it's amazing.

why did you choose teaching?

I love the teachers who inspire the love of learning in their students. I want to teach them more about life. English is the subject I would teach, but I hope they would learn more about themselves.

Describe an instance in which you led others.

I was in leadership in middle school and honor society in high school. being in these programs has made me be involved in the decision making process of activities. I tend to naturally take charge when in groups, taking everyone's views into consideration. for example, in college classes when we are doing a group activity, I tend to schedule times for the group to meet and start the conversations, pointing the group in the right direction.

How Do You Motivate and Engage Students?

I would give my students room to voice their opinion, creating opportunities for them to direct their own learning. I would also give them choices in the classroom. Whether that be with what questions they want to answer on an assignment, or which book they want to read for a project. Also, the lessons should relate to the real world so there is purpose for what they are engaging with.

Why do you think you would make a good teacher?

I would make a good teacher because I have had a lot of experience with teaching children and I am passionate about wanting to teach them. I am a very responsible person and I am also very hardworking and would help students in any way I could that would benefit them. I am also very flexible and I'm able to change my views based on the classroom learning experience. for example if My class wasn't engaged or interested in what we were learning I would mix things up a bit and make it more exciting or involve them more in a way that includes them.

What Is Your Method for Dealing with Difficult Parents?

I would make sure to listen and get clarification about what troubles them, exemplifying the point that we each want to meet the student's needs. I would invite the parent to give input on my lesson plans and come up with a satisfactory solution. I would also make sure to stay in regular communication with parents to avoid the conflict again, or even prevent it from happening in the first place.

How Do You Cultivate Positive Relationships with Students?

I would meet students at the door to make them feel welcome. I would offer student-specific praise to make them feel better about their work. I would establish one-on-one meetings with students to stay connected with how they are feeling.

with a day off and money not an issue, what would you do?

I would read my books I've been wanting to read in forever. I would also probably paint canvases or complete crafts. Or I would go hiking to a waterfall or up a mountain.

how would you respond to an unhappy student?

I would sit down with them and ask what's bothering them, try to fix the situation if it has anything to do with me, or send them to a counselor if it's out of my control

Suppose you were in a student project group where some people were not activaly involved. You feel that you are doing all or most of the work and you are concerned because you know that everyone in your group will be evaluated on the final product your group produces. What would you do?

I would specifically assign tasks to each member of the group so everyone had a specific job and hopefully that would include everyone. If that doesn't work I'd try to talk to the person individually and ask for their help or input with specific tasks. If nothing seems to work then I would reassign their task to myself or someone else in the group and would talk to a teacher

Describe a Typical Lesson

I would start a lesson by engaging the students in the topic, like by relating it to their immediate lives so they can gain a better understanding. I would then use or create some sort of activity to give the students a better understanding. I would also be open to adjusting my lesson to address gaps in understanding to address my students needs.

What courses have you struggled with?

I've struggled with courses that I have less interest in. I think it was my first year of college I took a class where we explored the different writing formats between MLA APA and Chicago writing. I found this class to be not very exciting even though I did learn a lot. it was hard to stay engaged.

What methods do you use to maintain discipline in your classroom?

In a special education classroom discipline is an important and difficult balance. It's important to discuss with the interviewer how you plan to implement discipline while maintaining a safe and secure environment for students. Answer the question by sharing how important it is to make sure students understand the rules and boundaries, and using positive reinforcement to encourage those rules and boundaries.

What is your experience with Individualized Education Plans?

Individualized Education Plans or IEPS create opportunities for teachers, parents, and administrators to connect and work to improve educational goals. The IEP is a crucial cornerstone for children with disabilities. Teacher candidates can answer this question by discussing what they have learned about IEPS, their plan to make parents and students feel confident in educational goals, and more.

How would you handle a student who is constantly disruptive or defiant?

Instead of focusing on how you would react, explain the ways you approach classroom management proactively so that small misbehaviors are eight ways to maintain student cooperation and courtesy. If the interviewers press you on the original question, this advice on students with oppositional defiant disorder may help.

How do you connect your lessons to the real world?

It's important for teachers to convey how they will show their middle schoolers that what they are learning will apply in the real world. Give specific examples related to your specialty, for examplein a science lesson teacher's can show that they will need to understand biology to grow a garden or raise a pet. Math teachers can talk about different

How do you cultivate positive relationships with your students and create a sense of class community?

Recount a time you bonded with a student who needed some extra attention and understanding. Show your concern for the emotional well- being of the most vulnerable students and describe your plan for developing students' social and emotional learning skills Also explain how you create a sense of empathy and inclusion anmong your students so classmates support each other on both a personal and academic level.

How do you include parents and guardians in their child's education?

Recount several ways you inform, engage with, and collaborate with parents and guardians-through face- to-face meetings, notes, phone calls, or digital channels.

Why should hire you?

Stress what you have to offer the employer as relates to the position for which you are interviewing, not how nice it would be to work there or what you want from the employer. Remember that you are being compared to other candidates, and in fact more than one candidate might be a very good employee. Deliver to the employer reasons to see that you are a good fit (show you know yourself, know the field/industry, know the organization, and know the position).

What courses have you enjoyed the most?

The courses I've enjoyed the most is the writing workshop class I took with Merrilyne a little bit ago. in that class I learned how to write in different styles and be more creative which I think is essential for every writer to know. another favorite course of mine was teaching literature with Margaret Perow. for this class I was able to be in a freshman high school English classroom every morning and it was one of the most interesting amazing experiences I've had to just teach students and learn how to teach.

What do you expect to be doing five years from now?

The interviewer is looking for evidence of career goals and ambitions rather than minutely specific descriptions. The interviewer wants to see your thought process and the criteria that are important to you. The interviewer is not looking for information about your personal life.

What are your weaknesses?

This question is tricky for everyone. If you've done your research, you know what weaknesses would be unacceptable in the job, and you probably haven't made it to the interview stage if you have those weaknesses. Don't be dishonest and don't make up something that you think sounds good. Don't respond with a joke (that's just evading the question). Don't discuss topics that are personal in nature (like having a messy kitchen at home). Don't be surprised by or unprepared for this question. It may be asked in other ways, such as "What would your greatest challenge be if you were in this job?" employer is asking this question to discern your self-awareness. We all have strengths and weaknesses. There are a few strategies you can ldentify a weakness that you are working to correct and talk about how you are doing this. Show how you seek out and work well with others who have strengths in your areas of weakness Use your knowledge of your personality, showing both sides of the coin (pros and cons) making sure this is a match for the job. For example, if you have an introversion preference, AND the job requires solitary work, you can explain that you are energized by solitary work and have the stamina for it, while you may feel less energy from long periods of time working with customers (and obviously you would not say this if interviewing for a job that required long hours of customer contact). Balance that by explaining that you are always well-prepared for customer contacts, due to your workstyle and personality.

Describe a Time You Solved a Problem in a Team

When I was working for the GPHS marching band this last fall, we came across the problem of phones. Students would always be on them. So, we all agreed to not be on our phones ourself to set a better example as well as making the students put their phones away the second we saw them rather than ignoring it. By doing this together and working with the section leaders, the problem was resolved fairly quickly.

What have been your strengths and weaknesses as an undergraduate student?

as a student, my strengths are my creativity and my ability to complete tasks to my expectations.

How do you keep young children engaged?

children have extremely short attention spans, so it's crucial for preschool teachers to have a plan to keep their students engaged. Share with the interviewer your plan for reward systems to help students stay motivated, your curriculum that involves games and activities, as well your intention to change activities frequently to help students stay excited about learning.

can you describe a circumstance when you had to be creative in a situation that could not be resolved easily?

in a zoom breakout room I was met with people who weren't actively participating in the conversation. it was just me and another student talking. to engage other I started asking them direct questions and calling their name to ask what they thought about the conversations we were having. that got them talking and engaging more.

What was the most frustrating thing that happened to you asa student teacher? What was the best thing?

seeing how much other teachers don't care. seeing students smile

Describe your experiences interacting with people of diverse backgrounds.

when I was eating for a teacher this last year, I helped out with a group of students who were struggling with their speed of learning. they needed more time than other students to complete a lot of projects. being in this class helped me to find different styles of teaching and how to teach different paces for every student to understand. I also took a class with Edward Greene where we explored diversity and read literature from around the world. this class helped me realize how American schools focus on reading a lot of literature from white male American authors and how that view needs to be expanded

why do you want to be a teacher?

when I was younger, being at school was the best place I could be. it was a safe place with teachers who taught me and cared about my well being. I've always loved learning and I would love to be able to inspire others to love it as much as I do.