These interview questions and suggested documents will help new and experienced teachers to prepare for interviews.
Interview Questions & Supporting Documents
| AnticipatedQuestions (Probes) | SupportingDocuments |
| What is youreducationalphilosophy? | Article summaries or critiques Anecdotal records Essays Letters to parents Philosophy statement |
| What does an idealclassroom look like? | Bulletin board ideas Essays Floor plans Lesson plans Letters to parents Management and organizationstrategies Observation reports Pictures and photographs Portfolios (student) Projects (performance-based) Seating arrangement diagrams Teacher-made materials Theme studies Unit plans |
| How would you assesschildren's work? | Assessments (formal and informal) Case studies Interviews with students, teachers,parents Lesson plans Portfolios (student) Problem-solving logs Projects (performance-based) |
| How do you workwith parents andother members ofthe community? | Community resources documents Field trip plans Interviews with students, teachers,parents Letters to parents Problem-solving logs Professional organizations andcommittees list Projects Volunteer experience descriptions |
| How would youhandle disciplineproblems? How would youmanage yourclassroom? What kinds ofmanagmentstrategies do youlike to use? | Classroom management philosophy Cooperative learning strategies Field trip plans Floor plans Journals Letters to parents Management and organizationstrategies Observation reports Pictures and photographs Problem-solving logs References Rules and procedures descriptions Schedules Seating arrangement diagrams Student contracts |
| Explain what you know about using technologyin the classroom. | Computer programs Media competencies Projects References |
| What kinds ofinstructional strategiesdo you use? When? How well do they work? | Curriculum plans Evaluations Lesson plans Observation reports Peer critiques Pictures and photographs Projects References Teacher-made materials Theme studies Unit plans |
| How do you meetindividual needs inthe classroom? | Individualized plans Interviews with students, teachers, parents Journals Lesson plans Portfolios (student) Problem-solving logs References Student contracts |
| What textbooks and other resources have you used in the classroom? How do they compare to others? | Curriculum plans Projects Theme studies Unit plans |
| What are yourstrengths? What is yourgreatest weakness? | Awards/certificates Evaluations Goal statements Letters to parents Media competencies Peer critiques Problem-solving logs Professional organizations andcommittees list References Self-assessment instruments Transcripts Volunteer experience descriptions Work experience descriptions |
| How well can youwork with otherpeople? | Community resources documents Evaluations Field trip plans Letters to parents Peer critiques Professional organizations andcommittees list Projects References Volunteer experience descriptions Work experience descriptions |
| Tell me about yourself. | Awards/certificates Essays Goal statements Letters to parents Peer critiques Self-assessment instruments Subscriptions Transcripts |
| Do you plan to goback to college for anadvanced degree? What do you do tokeep yourself up-to-date? | Meetings and workshops log Professional development plan Professional organizations andcommittees list Professional readings list Self-assessment instruments Subscriptions |
| What workgives you the most pride? | A great variety of documents ispossible; this depends on your valuejudgment. |
| What did your supervisors say aboutyour work? | Awards/certificates Evaluations References Volunteer experience descriptions Work experience descriptions |
| What do people appreciate about you? | Evaluations Peer critiques References Volunteer experience descriptions Work experience descriptions |
| What are your goals? | Goal statements Philosophy statement Professional development plans Self-assessment instruments |
| What is your favorite subject or topic toteach? Why? | Article summaries or critiques Awards/certificates Computer programs Essays Journals Meetings and workshops log Philosophy statement Pictures and photographs Professional readings list Research papers Self-assessment instruments Subscriptions Transcripts |
| What is your greatestcareer or academicachievement? | Awards/certificates Evaluations Journals Peer critiques Pictures and photographs References |
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