Last week I detailed my 10 favorite interview questions for prospective principals. This week I will do the same with interview questions for teachers. As we approach the start of the school year, there will be thousands of educators hired throughout the country over the next few weeks. My hope for you is that these questions will help you (as an administrator) in your endeavor to hire an outstanding teacher or aid you (as a teacher) in your personal search for a new position.
TEACHER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
I am interested in hiring teachers who think deeply about their craft and, perhaps, even think a little bit differently than expected. The core values of our district are integrity, continuous improvement, and excellence. In addition to ensuring a candidate’s answers to these questions focus on students above adults, with each question I also try to create avenues for the interviewee to demonstrate that their values align (or do not align) with ours.
How do you know what to teach?
I want to see if someone will answer this question with more depth than ‘what the standards say to teach’. As we all know, it is all but impossible to teach every standard with fidelity due to the sheer overabundance of them. There is not a right or wrong answer to this question – my goal is to see if the candidate has a thoughtful process for determining this.
How do you know which instructional pedagogy to match with what content?
This question merely is intended to see if people change how they do things based on the lesson/content they are teaching in a given day. I have found many teachers’ instructional strategy is their instructional strategy – regardless of content. Great teachers think through what they are teaching and attempt to find the best way to reach kids. I want to see if that thought process is taking place within the candidate.
Rank the following in order of importance: Planning, Instruction, Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation.
These are the core elements of the learning process, and I want to see if someone ‘has a take’ and is willing to voice it. I know I have an opinion on this ranking, but I also know I do not have the right answer as I am not sure one objectively exists. Additionally, this question naturally allows for many follow-up questions that make the interview more engaging.
Is everything you teach essential for kids to know and be able to do?
This is intended to see if the candidate has ever found themselves just going through the motions or if they deeply believe in everything they are teaching. The higher the grade level the more interesting and important this question becomes.
What data do you care enough about to change your behavior/teaching?
Data is information. I want to see if there is any piece of information or feedback that a teacher candidate could receive that would make them change their behavior. For example, if 68 percent of kids pass an assessment is your behavior different than if 88 percent of kids had a passing score?
How does question complexity factor into your assessment development and instructional practices?
My personal educational philosophy is that every child deserves to think critically (higher level Bloom’s) every hour of every day. I want to see if this question leads us down the path of critical thinking and rigor. For me, this question does have a correct answer.
What do you do to enhance your own content and pedagogical knowledge?
This answers the question of how a candidate intentionally grows on their own. It amazes me that some people’s response is that they ‘pay attention to the professional development provided to them’, and then leave it at that. I want to know if you read, connect, lead, and contribute to the profession.
Explain to me what differentiation is and why you plan for it daily or why you do not?
Differentiation is a buzzword in education and it is dramatically more difficult to achieve than we give it credit for. Outside of the lower elementary classrooms (K-2) there is not an overwhelming amount of differentiation present in most classrooms. I want to see what the candidate says, and whether or not it is something they consistently consider.
What is your philosophy on retakes?
If retakes are frowned upon that means that the teacher values getting through the curriculum and that the timing of learning is more important than the learning itself. This is a dealbreaker for me. The point of teaching is to cause learning. Point blank. Period.
Is it fair for me to pass judgment and provide support based on how often I need to intervene in discipline issues in your classroom?
Classroom management has literally failed when an administrator becomes involved. This DOES NOT mean that no referrals should ever be written, but it does mean that if you have 2, 3 or 10x as many referrals as your peer teachers there is something worthy of discussion. This question is designed to see if the candidate has true ownership over this element of instructional practice.
As I stated last week, I hope these questions spur some thought in your own mind about questions you may ask and/or how you would respond to these questions yourself. I would love to hear from you and learn some of your favorite interview questions so that I can continue to grow this list!
THE BEST THING I READ/WATCHED THIS WEEK
One of my go-to rewatchable videos –
Steve Jobs Delivering a Commencement Address at Stanford
THREE PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
 Larry Ferlazzo A teacher in every sense of the word and someone who has done me countless favors that I do not deserve . |  Courtney Orzel Leader, Friend, Inspiration, Powerful advocate for women leaders. |  Sara Boucek Attorney, public education advocate, speaker, hilarious and no conversation with her is EVER boring . |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME SOON
ON DEMAND – Manage Your Time or Time Will Manage You Book Study
ON DEMAND – Communications – MicroCredential Certification through Illinois Principals Association
SPEAKING-CONSULTING-CONFERENCES
JULY 13 – IASA New Superintendent Conference – Illinois
JULY 14 – Institute for Educational Innovation Superintendent Conference – North Carolina
MORE OF MY MUSINGS
Dr. Efrain Martinez and I chat around ‘The Journey’ of Leadership
A Keynote turned into a Podcast from IEI Spring Summit in Colorado
MCUSD Staff Room Podcast – End of Year Reflection
Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones (w/ Mike Lubelfeld and Nick Polyak)
Writing
NEW RELEASE: Teach Better – Summer S.E.E.D.S
“There is the danger zone. As humans, we tend to be very good at relaxing. We tend to not be as good at recharging. There are significant neurological and biological reasons why, but I will try to not bore you with those details. The bottom line is that as much as staying up to 2am binging Netflix, eating pizza, and sampling craft beers sounds amazing, it is most likely NOT going to help you recharge. The good news is that we absolutely do know what will help you recharge if you choose to commit to these five steps to recharge your own battery”.
Edutopia – Leading with Integrity
“Every time you choose to avoid a difficult conversation, it is a selfish decision. Why? Because the only person who could possibly benefit from avoiding a difficult conversation is you. And that win is only emotional and temporary.”
ASCD – Four Must-Do’s For Empowered Principals
‘Vision—now and always—is the difference maker. Great principals can imagine a brighter future for their building, even in the midst of tribulation, that can bring energy and excitement to those they serve. If you cannot imagine education at large and your particular school as significantly better and different than it is in its current state, it is going to be hard to lead significant change.”
Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter.
It would mean the world to me if you could share it with one person each week. We all get one chance to live a life of passion and purpose. Help me maximize my one at-bat.