20 Questions

Personal Questions to Ask Your Teacher

Thoughtful questions that help you connect with your teacher, understand their teaching philosophy, and build a meaningful relationship that enhances your learning experience.

1

What inspired you to become a teacher, and what do you love most about teaching?

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Why this works

Shows genuine interest in their career choice and helps you understand their passion for education, creating a personal connection that can enhance your learning experience.

2

What's your favorite subject or topic to teach, and why do you find it so engaging?

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Why this works

Reveals their interests and expertise, helping you understand what they're most passionate about and potentially sparking your own interest in those areas.

3

How do you approach teaching students who learn differently or have different learning styles?

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Why this works

Shows their understanding of diverse learning needs and helps you understand how they can support your individual learning style and preferences.

4

What's the most rewarding part of being a teacher, and what keeps you motivated?

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Why this works

Reveals what drives their passion for teaching and helps you understand their commitment to student success and education.

5

How do you handle challenges in the classroom, and what strategies do you use to keep students engaged?

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Why this works

Shows their problem-solving approach and helps you understand their teaching methods and how they create an engaging learning environment.

6

What advice would you give to students who want to succeed in your class?

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Why this works

Provides valuable insights into their expectations and teaching approach, helping you understand how to excel in their class and meet their standards.

7

How do you balance different learning needs and ensure all students feel supported?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to inclusive education and helps you understand how they create a supportive learning environment for all students.

8

What's the most important lesson you've learned from your students over the years?

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Why this works

Reveals their humility and openness to learning, showing that teaching is a two-way process and that they value student perspectives and experiences.

9

How do you stay current with new teaching methods and educational trends?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to professional development and helps you understand how they continuously improve their teaching practices.

10

What's your philosophy on homework and assignments, and how do you ensure they're meaningful?

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Why this works

Helps you understand their approach to learning and assessment, ensuring you can meet their expectations and get the most out of their assignments.

11

How do you create a positive and inclusive classroom environment?

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Why this works

Shows their commitment to creating a welcoming space for all students and helps you understand how they foster a supportive learning community.

12

What's the most challenging aspect of teaching, and how do you overcome it?

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Why this works

Reveals their honesty about the profession and shows their resilience and problem-solving skills, helping you understand the realities of teaching.

13

How do you encourage students to ask questions and participate in class discussions?

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Why this works

Shows their approach to student engagement and helps you understand how they create an environment where students feel comfortable participating.

14

What's your approach to providing feedback and helping students improve?

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Why this works

Helps you understand how they support student growth and development, ensuring you can benefit from their feedback and guidance.

15

How do you handle different personalities and learning preferences in your classroom?

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Why this works

Shows their understanding of student diversity and helps you understand how they accommodate different needs and learning styles.

16

What's the most important thing you want students to take away from your class?

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Why this works

Reveals their teaching goals and priorities, helping you understand what they value most in education and what they hope to achieve with their students.

17

How do you stay motivated and passionate about teaching, especially during difficult times?

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Why this works

Shows their resilience and commitment to education, helping you understand how they maintain their passion and dedication to teaching.

18

What's your approach to building relationships with students and their families?

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Why this works

Shows their understanding of the importance of community in education and helps you understand how they create connections with students and families.

19

How do you handle mistakes and learning from them in your teaching practice?

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Why this works

Reveals their humility and growth mindset, showing that they value learning from mistakes and continuous improvement in their teaching.

20

What's the most important thing you've learned about teaching that you wish you knew when you started?

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Why this works

Provides valuable insights into their teaching journey and helps you understand the wisdom they've gained from their experience in education.

Best Practices for Student-Teacher Relationships

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Genuine Interest

Ask questions that demonstrate your interest in their teaching philosophy and approach, showing that you value their expertise and experience.

Be Respectful and Professional

Maintain appropriate boundaries while building a personal connection, ensuring your questions are respectful and professional.

Focus on Learning

Ask questions that help you understand their teaching methods and how you can succeed in their class, showing your commitment to learning.

Question Sequences

The Teaching Philosophy Sequence

1
What inspired you to become a teacher?
2
What's your favorite subject or topic to teach?
3
What's the most rewarding part of being a teacher?
4
What's the most important thing you want students to take away from your class?

The Learning Support Sequence

1
How do you approach teaching students who learn differently?
2
What advice would you give to students who want to succeed in your class?
3
How do you balance different learning needs?
4
What's your approach to providing feedback and helping students improve?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Personal Questions

Avoid questions about their personal life, family, or private matters. Keep the focus on their teaching and professional experience.

Don't Be Disrespectful

Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid questions that could be seen as disrespectful or inappropriate for a student-teacher relationship.

Don't Focus Only on Grades

While academic success is important, also ask about their teaching philosophy and how they support student learning and development.

Conversation Templates

The Teaching Philosophy Framework

1
Step 1: Start with: "What inspired you to become a teacher?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's your favorite subject or topic to teach?"
3
Step 3: Conclude with: "What's the most rewarding part of being a teacher?"

The Learning Support Framework

1
Step 1: Begin with: "How do you approach teaching students who learn differently?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "What advice would you give to students who want to succeed in your class?"
3
Step 3: End with: "What's your approach to providing feedback and helping students improve?"

Further Reading

"The First Days of School" by Harry Wong
"Teach Like a Champion" by Doug Lemov
"The Art of Teaching" by Gilbert Highet

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