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A New Guide: Interview Questions for Teachers of Every Grade & Subject

Behavior-Based Interview Questions

The basic idea behind BBI questions are that the candidate’s past behavior will be the best indicator for future behavior. BBI has been around for years, but used primarily in business.

A BBI question may start something like:

Tell me about a time…
Describe your experience with…
How have you…
What has been your approach to…
Does BBI sound intimidating? It doesn’t have to be. There are two great ways to frame each BBI question you are asked.

PAR – Problem, Action, and Result

STAR – Situation/Task, Action, and Result

For every question asked, first describe the problem (e.g. keeping 6th graders on-task) or situation/task (e.g. organizing curriculum). Then, explain what action you took. Finally, describe the end result, trying to always tie into improving student learning. Just remember PAR or STAR when answering BBI questions and you should do just fine!

CURRICULUM

1. Describe the experiences you have had in implementing a standard-based curriculum.

2. Describe a unit of curriculum that you have taught.

3. Tell me about an individual lesson that went well.

METHODS AND PLANNING

1. How have you divided large amounts of material to be covered? (Hint: Show a sample curriculum or discuss how you would use a curriculum map that includes learning objectives, assessments, activities, and standards)

2. How would you write a plan and what is included in each plan?

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

1. Describe classroom management plans that you have used.

2. How have you motivated your students?

HOMEWORK AND GRADING

1. Describe a grading system that has worked well for you in the past?

2. How have you dealt with students who do not complete their homework?

COMMUNICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM

1. Describe how you conduct a parent/guardian conference?

2. Share an example of a communication with a parent that helped you in dealing with the child.

3. What have you read/studied recently that led to a change in your classroom?

4. What parts of your teacher training do you use the most? (Hint: Avoid saying anything negative. Anything like you were bored or not engaged will lead the interviewer to believe you will act the same in staff meetings, etc. Rather, describe 1-2 positive areas of your training, how you used it, and it’s impact)

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