An Elementary Teacher interview should be considered an experience more than anything else.
That said, even if an interview isn’t successful for you, it will teach you a lot about how one is conducted, and what not to do the next time around.
Each interview process is developed to determine one thing – how much does the interviewer weigh in terms of experience, skills, and confidence.
If you can satisfy a hiring manager on these three accounts, you are as good as hired.
Preparing for an elementary teacher interview involves a lot of effort. You will need to analyze your abilities first and then decide how they relate to the employer’s needs. Afterward, practice discussing this information with him or her, face to face.
See also: Elementary Teacher Resume
Here are some interview questions and answers that you can look through to determine what you may be asked:
Elementary Teacher Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why did you choose the elementary teaching profession?
OR
Why do you want to be an elementary teacher?
OR
Why should we hire you?
I enjoy developing young minds. Being a lively person, I like to devise fun activities for kids. I am a mother of two and therefore understand the needs, problems, and requirements of kids. It gives me a sense of completeness and satisfaction to pass knowledge to the younger generation.
I believe that professions choose people and not the other way around. I had always loved teaching and decided to peruse a career in it when it was time for me to educate myself on a professional level. Teaching comes naturally to me, and I find working with children soul-satisfying.
2. What is your teaching philosophy?
I believe in developing passion in my students. Whenever possible, I try to teach in a very personalized way by giving relevant examples from the present and past.
3. Why do you want to work for our school?
I found on your website that you are particularly focused on academics, character, community, and nature. Your mission fits perfectly with my philosophy. Also, I am enthusiastic to increase the ranking of your school to a new level by making my students near-perfect.
4. How can you help our school and students?
Owing to my exceptional classroom management acumen, I’d be able to contribute significantly. I developed classroom management skills through my education and online courses. I am well versed in using nonverbal and transition cues, and several other kernel-based strategies. I believe I can exceptionally do justice to my job.
5. What do you find most challenging about teaching?
I feel it is very challenging when bright kids become overconfident and don’t learn new ideas.
6. What type of duties have you performed while working as an elementary teacher in the past?
Assisting school management in developing and implementing elementary school curriculum, developing lesson plans, imparting education, assessing student progress, and managing classroom behavior are just some of the primary duties that I have performed in the role of an elementary teacher.
7. Tell us about your teaching skills.
I am an experienced elementary teacher, with demonstrated expertise in creating and implementing individualized lesson plans, to meet each student’s specific learning needs.
In addition to this, I am exceptionally talented in devising novel methods to impart education so that lessons do not become monotonous. Also, I am exceptionally well-versed in handling challenging classroom behavior, ensuring the physical and emotional well-being of all children under my care.
8. What is the one thing that you would change about the current educational system within which you are working?
I believe that our ongoing education is too concentrated on the rote method. While I do think that memorizing concepts is essential, it is also imperative to get children to think about broader possibilities that come with activities-based learning. I would incorporate activities-based teaching methods into the current educational system.
9. What is an IEP? Have you ever developed one?
IEP stands for an individualized education plan. Yes, I devise IEPs in routine for students who need them and also give extra time if required to implement the same.
10. How do you ensure proper communication with parents?
There are three primary communication channels with parents. One is through parental conferences, other through daily written diaries that I send home, and the third, is through the weekly and monthly progress reports issued to the parents. I also call the parents for an additional meeting whenever the need arises.
11. Name three traits that qualify you as a good elementary school teacher?
Patience, empathy, and vigilance.
12. What has been your most significant achievement in this role?
Last year, I was successful in convincing the school board to incorporate activities-based learning into the curriculum. This has been my most significant feat as there is no other school in the county that is doing this, and it has made a significant impact on how children learn standard and complex elementary concepts.
13. What kind of teaching aids do you use?
This is the world of IT, so I take full advantage of modern technologies. I utilize the web to create slideshows that facilitate learning. For AV aids, I use pictures, newspapers, charts, realia, and flashcards. However, the use of the internet for exploration and education is the most common tool in my classroom that assists me in teaching.
14. What is the role of an elementary school teacher in a child’s life?
A teacher is a role model for students, and at the elementary level, students look up to their teacher as a guide and mentor. She must be a kind and caring person, an excellent communicator to give clear instructions and guidance to her students.
15. Have you ever faced any discipline problems in your class? If yes, how did you tackle it?
In my early career, two students in my class were attention seekers and created trouble during class. I first met their parents and took their background history.
Then I gave them special attention in class by always appreciating them and involving them as leaders in specific activities. This helped in developing a positive relationship with them and brought a positive change in their behavior as well.
16. How do you assess and evaluate the performance of your students?
I use three tools to monitor the achievement level of my students, and these are:
– Classroom observations
– Maintaining separate portfolios for each student
– Designing and devising graphs showing their level of achievement
17. As an educationist, what are your 5-year plans?
Within the next five years, I hope to be working as part of the federal educational board, creating and implementing policies and procedures to improve the education system.