20 Questions

Questions to Ask School Interviewer

Strategic questions to evaluate a school during the interview process, understand its culture, and determine if it's the right fit for your career goals.

1

What's the school's mission and how does it guide daily operations?

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Why this works

This question reveals the school's core values and how they translate into practice, helping you understand if their mission aligns with your professional values.

2

How do you support teacher professional development and growth?

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Why this works

Understanding their approach to teacher development is crucial for your career growth. This question reveals their commitment to educator success and learning.

3

What's the school's approach to student discipline and behavior management?

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Why this works

This question reveals their philosophy on student behavior and how they create a positive learning environment, which directly impacts your teaching experience.

4

How do you handle parent communication and involvement?

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Why this works

Parent relationships are crucial for teaching success. This question reveals their approach to family engagement and how they support teacher-parent communication.

5

What's the school's approach to curriculum and instructional methods?

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Why this works

This question reveals their educational philosophy and teaching approaches, helping you understand if their methods align with your teaching style and beliefs.

6

How do you support teachers who are struggling or need additional resources?

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Why this works

Understanding their support systems is crucial for your success. This question reveals their commitment to teacher welfare and professional assistance.

7

What's the school's approach to technology integration in the classroom?

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Why this works

Technology is increasingly important in education. This question reveals how the school incorporates modern tools and supports teachers in using technology effectively.

8

How do you handle teacher collaboration and team planning?

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Why this works

Collaboration is essential for effective teaching. This question reveals their approach to teacher teamwork and how they facilitate professional collaboration.

9

What's the school's approach to student assessment and evaluation?

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Why this works

Understanding their assessment philosophy helps you know what to expect regarding testing, grading, and student evaluation methods.

10

How do you handle teacher feedback and performance evaluation?

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Why this works

This question reveals their approach to teacher evaluation and how they provide constructive feedback to help teachers improve and grow.

11

What's the school's approach to diversity and inclusion in the classroom?

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Why this works

This question reveals their values around diversity and how they create an inclusive environment for both students and staff.

12

How do you handle teacher workload and work-life balance?

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Why this works

Understanding their approach to workload management helps you know what to expect regarding work hours, responsibilities, and support for work-life balance.

13

What's the school's approach to special education and student support services?

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Why this works

This question reveals their commitment to inclusive education and how they support students with diverse learning needs.

14

How do you handle teacher input and suggestions for school improvement?

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Why this works

This question reveals how the school values teacher voice and whether they create opportunities for teachers to contribute to school improvement.

15

What's the school's approach to student mental health and well-being?

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Why this works

Student well-being is crucial for academic success. This question reveals their approach to mental health support and how they address student wellness.

16

How do you handle teacher retention and what makes teachers stay?

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Why this works

This question reveals the school's culture and what they do to retain quality teachers, providing insight into the work environment and teacher satisfaction.

17

What's the school's approach to extracurricular activities and student engagement?

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Why this works

This question reveals their commitment to holistic student development and what opportunities they provide beyond academics.

18

How do you handle teacher autonomy and creative freedom in the classroom?

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Why this works

This question reveals how much freedom teachers have to be creative and innovative in their teaching methods and classroom management.

19

What's the school's approach to professional learning communities and teacher collaboration?

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Why this works

This question reveals their commitment to ongoing professional development and how they facilitate teacher learning and collaboration.

20

What questions do you have for me about my teaching philosophy and goals?

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Why this works

A good school should be interested in understanding your teaching approach, goals, and how you can contribute to their educational mission.

Best Practices for School Interviews

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

Best Practices

Research the School Thoroughly

Investigate the school's mission, values, and recent performance. Check their website, read reviews, and talk to current teachers if possible.

Ask About Both Teaching and Culture

Balance questions about teaching methods with questions about school culture, support systems, and work environment.

Consider Your Career Goals

Think about your professional development goals and how the school can help you achieve them. Ask questions that help you evaluate the fit.

Question Sequences

The Mission Assessment

1
What's the school's mission and how does it guide daily operations?
2
What's the school's approach to curriculum and instructional methods?
3
What's the school's approach to student assessment and evaluation?
4
What's the school's approach to diversity and inclusion?

The Support Explorer

1
How do you support teacher professional development and growth?
2
How do you support teachers who are struggling or need additional resources?
3
How do you handle teacher feedback and performance evaluation?
4
How do you handle teacher workload and work-life balance?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Focus Only on Teaching

Remember that teaching is about more than just instruction. Ask about school culture, support systems, and the overall work environment.

Avoid Making Assumptions

Don't assume all schools are the same. Ask specific questions about their unique approach, values, and what makes them different.

Don't Ignore Red Flags

Be wary of schools that don't seem interested in your questions, make unrealistic promises, or don't provide clear answers about their approach.

Question Templates

The Mission Evaluator

1
Step 1: Start with: "What's the school's mission and how does it guide daily operations?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's the school's approach to curriculum and instructional methods?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "What's the school's approach to student assessment and evaluation?"
4
Step 4: Assess with: "What's the school's approach to diversity and inclusion?"

The Support Investigator

1
Step 1: Start with: "How do you support teacher professional development and growth?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How do you support teachers who are struggling or need additional resources?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "How do you handle teacher feedback and performance evaluation?"
4
Step 4: Assess with: "What questions do you have for me?"

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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