92. How do you deal with difficult students?
All teachers will have uncooperative students at one time or another. It’s important that you have a plan for handling these children.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“Each student is unique, with his or her own strengths and weaknesses. When students misbehave, it’s usually because they’re struggling with something. By addressing these problems, I can also improve their behavior.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“The best way of doing this is taking the student aside and finding out what’s wrong. A lot of the time it’s because the lesson is too difficult. There may also be trouble at home. I care about my students, and I take the time to get to the bottom of the issue and see if we can’t work to fix it together.”
93. How do you motivate students to do their best work?
How you answer this is extremely important. Employers want to learn if you have the ability to inspire students and how you do it.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“At this point in my career, what I’ve found is that it is about knowing my students and also about letting them know me. If I understand their strengths and weaknesses, then I can motivate them. And if they know that I am a real person who cares about them and their success, they tend to want to work hard to make me proud of them. And I am!”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“Positive reinforcement is the key. By recognizing their achievements, I demonstrate that hard work has its rewards. I find various ways to do this, from tickets that lead to a treasure chest, to paper printout certificates that go home to their parents, to class parties when we achieve a collective goal. I love seeing their faces beam with happiness because they have done well.”
94. How do you evaluate students?
Avoid mentioning generic methods. Instead, think of something special you do, or can do, to evaluate students.
New Teacher Example Answer: “I use a mixture of techniques. Along with using the usual teaching methods like quizzes, tests and participation metrics, I like to use group activities to see how they use their soft skills to accomplish tasks. Doing this makes the evaluation well rounded and allows me to help students with a variety of skills they will need in their lives.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“For me, I want to know that they’ve actually learned something, that they know how to learn, and that they want to keep learning. So clearly, my evaluations go beyond grades. I like to use class presentations and self-assessment exercises that include the students’ reflections on what they’ve learned and what they think about it. There’s nothing better than when the students’ reflections spark a class discussion. You can see the little wheels turning!”
95. How do you manage students who are always late?
Students who are late disrupt the classroom. This can become a problem if there are members of the student body who are always late.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“The first thing I do is find out why the student is late. There may be a good reason why this is happening. From there, we can find a solution.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“I start with asking questions. It is important to give the student a chance to be heard and to let him or her know that they need to be on time for their own sake, as well as that of their classmates. Hopefully the issue is within the student’s control and we can come up with a plan together. If it is not within the student’s control, then I get the parents and potentially others involved.”
96. What should a teacher do if they suspect their student is being abused at home?
This is a tricky situation that teachers have to deal with. You will need to be prepared to provide a carefully thought-out answer.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“This is a difficult and sensitive situation. If I found myself in this situation, I would immediately seek guidance from a more experienced staff member.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“I pay attention to my students and look out for their well-being. If I suspect any form of abuse or neglect, I immediately report it.”
97. How do you deal with bullies or children who are being bullied?
This is still a huge problem in schools. Teachers need to know how to deal with this issue effectively.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“First, I would look to the school’s official anti-bullying policy for protocols to follow. There needs to be clear rules against bullying and students have to understand that there are consequences for their actions. Being new still in my teaching career, I would then seek the guidance of a veteran teacher for what they have found are the best next steps.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer: “Most bullying is invisible, because students are afraid to speak out about it. This is why students need to have a safe way to report bullying, without fear of the problem becoming worse. They need to know that we care and that something will actually be done about it.
What I do is make sure I am familiar with any school policies or procedures for bullying, as well as any unwritten or unspoken rules for how the school administration prefers for bullying to be handled. I comply with these things, keeping in mind that my first priority is the safety of the child being bullied.”
98. What is the greatest challenge facing students right now?
Interviewers want to know if you understand what students are going through in today’s world. The right answer to this question shows that you are in tune with students, that you care, and that you will likely be able to communicate with them on their level because you understand their world.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“I think the greatest challenge is finding positive role models. This is extremely difficult for today’s kids. Most of the people promoted in the media are negative or unhealthy influences on our youth.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“I would definitely say that it’s the influence of social media and the internet. These things are having a profound effect on my students in multiple ways including from the exposure to unhealthy topics to increased bullying and peer pressure through social media.”
99. How do you help students who are struggling in your class?
Many students struggle academically. Prospective employers want to know the specific steps you’ll take to remedy this. They also want to know how you motivate students to succeed.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“I think communication is the key in these types of scenarios. You have to sit down and talk to the student and find out what’s going on in their lives and in their heads. The problem might be academic, or it might be something else that is causing academic issues. In most cases, you need to make sure to carve out enough additional time to help them through their struggle.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“When this happens, it usually isn’t because of a lack of academic ability. It’s often because there is some underlying issue. Before you can solve this problem, you have to find out what the underlying issue is. I’ve seen a wide range of issues that can cause a student to struggle. It is such a great feeling when I can work with the student to overcome the issue and get them back on the right track.”
100. How do you build rapport with students?
In order to teach effectively, you have to have a relationship with your students. Unless they like you, students are not going to co-operate.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“I try to keep a friendly demeanor. It also helps to have a sense of humor and to show that you’re actually interested in students and their lives.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“The most important thing is treating students with respect. Unless you do this, they are not going to respect you in return or behave themselves.”
101. How do you help students build their self-esteem and self-confidence?
Self-esteem and self-confidence play a huge role in someone’s success. These types of behavioral questions help interviewers determine if you truly care about students and know how to build these qualities.
New Teacher Example Answer:
“Treating children with kindness and respect helps to build their self-worth. I try my very best to build each child up each day and make every student feel included, treasured, and special.”
Experienced Teacher Example Answer:
“Success is by far the best way to build these life skills. I contribute to this by being the best teacher possible and helping my kids achieve the best grades they are capable of. I also think it’s a good idea to reward students who have done well in my class.”
