Questions to Ask a Principal During an Interview
Strategic questions to assess a school's leadership, culture, and educational approach when interviewing for a teaching or administrative position.
1What is your educational philosophy and vision for this school?
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What is your educational philosophy and vision for this school?
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Why this works
Reveals the principal's core beliefs about education and helps you understand if their vision aligns with your teaching philosophy and values.
2How do you support teacher professional development and growth?
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How do you support teacher professional development and growth?
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Why this works
Shows the principal's commitment to teacher success and reveals what resources and opportunities will be available for your career development.
3What is your approach to handling discipline and student behavior issues?
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What is your approach to handling discipline and student behavior issues?
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Why this works
Reveals the school's culture around student management and helps you understand what support you'll have when dealing with challenging situations.
4How do you foster collaboration among teachers and staff?
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How do you foster collaboration among teachers and staff?
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Why this works
Indicates the school's culture of teamwork and reveals whether you'll have opportunities to work closely with colleagues and build professional relationships.
5What is your communication style with teachers and how often do you meet with staff?
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What is your communication style with teachers and how often do you meet with staff?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the working relationship you'll have with administration and whether the communication style matches your preferences.
6How do you handle parent concerns and what support do you provide teachers in parent interactions?
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How do you handle parent concerns and what support do you provide teachers in parent interactions?
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Why this works
Shows the principal's approach to parent relations and reveals what backing you'll have when dealing with difficult parent situations.
7What are the biggest challenges facing this school, and how are you addressing them?
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What are the biggest challenges facing this school, and how are you addressing them?
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Why this works
Provides insight into the school's current situation and shows the principal's problem-solving approach and transparency about difficulties.
8How do you evaluate teacher performance, and what does the evaluation process look like?
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How do you evaluate teacher performance, and what does the evaluation process look like?
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Why this works
Clarifies expectations and helps you understand how your work will be assessed, including what support is available for improvement.
9What resources and technology are available to support teaching and learning?
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What resources and technology are available to support teaching and learning?
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Why this works
Reveals the school's investment in education and helps you understand what tools and resources you'll have access to in your classroom.
10How do you handle teacher workload and work-life balance?
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How do you handle teacher workload and work-life balance?
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Why this works
Shows the principal's awareness of teacher stress and reveals whether the school culture supports sustainable working conditions.
11What is your approach to curriculum development and teacher autonomy in the classroom?
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What is your approach to curriculum development and teacher autonomy in the classroom?
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Why this works
Reveals how much freedom you'll have in your teaching and whether the school values teacher creativity and professional judgment.
12How do you support students with diverse learning needs and special requirements?
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How do you support students with diverse learning needs and special requirements?
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Why this works
Shows the school's commitment to inclusive education and reveals what resources are available for supporting all students effectively.
13What role do teachers play in school decision-making and policy development?
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What role do teachers play in school decision-making and policy development?
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Why this works
Indicates whether teachers have a voice in school operations and reveals the level of shared governance and teacher empowerment.
14How do you handle conflicts between staff members or between teachers and administration?
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How do you handle conflicts between staff members or between teachers and administration?
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Why this works
Shows the principal's conflict resolution skills and reveals how workplace disputes are managed to maintain a positive environment.
15What professional development opportunities are available, and how do you encourage teacher growth?
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What professional development opportunities are available, and how do you encourage teacher growth?
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Why this works
Reveals the school's investment in teacher development and helps you understand what learning opportunities will be available.
16How do you measure and celebrate student success beyond standardized testing?
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How do you measure and celebrate student success beyond standardized testing?
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Why this works
Shows the school's values around assessment and reveals whether student growth is recognized in multiple ways beyond test scores.
17What is your approach to new teacher mentoring and support?
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What is your approach to new teacher mentoring and support?
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Why this works
Crucial for new teachers, this reveals what support system will be in place to help you succeed in your first year or transition.
18How do you handle teacher feedback and suggestions for school improvement?
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How do you handle teacher feedback and suggestions for school improvement?
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Why this works
Shows whether the principal values teacher input and reveals how open the administration is to change and improvement.
19What are your expectations for teacher collaboration with the community and local organizations?
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What are your expectations for teacher collaboration with the community and local organizations?
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Why this works
Reveals the school's community engagement approach and helps you understand what role you might play in broader community involvement.
20How do you envision this school evolving over the next few years, and what role would I play in that vision?
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How do you envision this school evolving over the next few years, and what role would I play in that vision?
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Why this works
Shows the principal's long-term thinking and helps you understand how you might contribute to the school's future growth and development.
How to Interview a Principal Effectively
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Research the School First
Learn about the school's demographics, test scores, recent news, and any challenges they may be facing. This helps you ask more informed questions.
Listen for Specific Examples
Ask for concrete examples of how the principal has handled situations. Vague answers may indicate lack of experience or transparency.
Observe the School Environment
Pay attention to the school's atmosphere, how students and staff interact, and whether the environment feels supportive and positive.
Question Sequences
The Leadership Philosophy Series
The School Culture Series
Common Pitfalls
Don't Focus Only on Benefits
While salary and benefits matter, focus more on the work environment, support systems, and opportunities for growth that will affect your daily experience.
Don't Accept Vague Answers
If a principal gives general responses, ask for specific examples. You need concrete information to make an informed decision about the position.
Don't Ignore Red Flags
Pay attention to how the principal responds to difficult questions. Defensiveness or avoidance may indicate problems with transparency or leadership style.