Tell us something about yourself outside the educational realm.

"Besides arts, I care a lot about music. I play a lot of different musical instruments. But, my favorite is the keys. I own a Nord Stage 3, which I like to play at local cafes and other venues."

This is an icebreaker of sorts to ease the nerves at an interview. The interviewer does want to make sure you fit into the community of the school. Share something that makes you stand out, speaking to something you are passionate about besides art.

Describe how you help students feel like they belong.

"Having a conversation more than 'how are you?' goes a long way with students. I try to look them in the eye, ask something specific about them, and show them that I truly care for their well-being. Our world has a hard time modeling this. I will do everything in my power to make this happen for the good of the community."

Belonging in a school is a big part of every community. Share how you help students feel connected in a classroom setting. Of course, we all wants students to know that they are valued and a part of something bigger than themselves. Speak to how you create this kind of culture.

Share how you get boys to engage in art.

"I have had a lot of amazing boys in my art classes over the years. To break the stereotype of it not being a manly subject, I work to show students the work of males and females to get a fuller perspective of the art world. This handling of the misconception goes a long way to getting boys in my art classroom."

Boys not engaging in art may be a stereotype. But, the administration wants to see how you break this kind of thinking. Speak to how you draw interest from this gender.

How would you describe a great teacher?

"A great teacher is one who cares more about others than themselves. They work hard to create lessons that are engaging, academic, and thought-provoking. These teachers assess students to get the most out of them every day of the school week."

A description of a teacher can look a lot of different ways. Share your experience on what make a quality teacher. This way, the administration can see what you value in your life.

Share about a lesson that was unsuccessful, but you learned a lot.

"I had a lecture lesson where I taught the students about modern art. However, students were not interested. The next year, I had students teach different sections and there was more buy in to be successful."

Lessons will not always be perfect. Speak to a time things worked out. But, make sure to reflect upon how you can improve it or how you have improved the lesson over time.

Use three words to describe you.

"The three words to describe me are determined, caring, and attentive. I am determined in the way I want my students to achieve success. I am caring, by checking in with students to see how they are doing. I am attentive to the needs of my students and help them along in the best way possible."

With this question, think carefully through the words describing you. This way, you can explain why you choose those specific words. Think through words that are original and not commonplace.

How do you promote interest in an art course?

"To promote interest in my art class, I share with students that there are money prizes at the end of the year for placing in different art styles. This motivates students to gain money, while bringing them into class, as they learn more and more about the subject. Also, I get my other students to share how cool art is. This is one of the best ways to get students in the door."

Art courses are not for everyone. But, it is still a teacher's job to promote interest in the subject. Explain how you bring students along with your passion and excitement for art.

How do you keep students on task?

"Early on in teaching, I allowed students to make their own choices. I thought it would prove their grades negatively in the end. But, I think students wasted a lot of time and that is a skill I need to teach them not to do. So, I gave participation points, extra credit, and treats for the individuals on-task. This improved their work ethic and scores at the end of the day."

Keeping students on task can be one of the hardest things to do as a teacher. Speak to your protocol on how you encourage students the best way possible. In turn, show how student perform better in this way.

Why does art matter to an education?

"Art certainly does matter in education. I believe that with art, students perform better in all their other subjects. Additionally, art allows for a release of stress and other pressures of life."

Some states are questioning if art matters to a student's education. Back your subject here giving essential reasoning. This way, the interviewer will see how much you care about the subject.

How do you get art supplies on a small budget?

"When it comes to supplies, I try my best to investigate the best deals. I go to garage sales, secondhand stores, and more to make things happen for my students. Lightly used items can go a long way in my classroom. I will even spend some of my money to make things happen."

Art supplies can be expense. What is harder is the fact that a budget usually does not cover everything an art teacher wants. Brainstorm some ideas with the interviewer on how you would make things work with a small budget.

What art projects do your students love?

"I have a variety of art projects that students enjoy during the year. Sculpting might be what students enjoy the very most. They get their hands dirty, while having fun in the process. Not much is better than getting to be creative in this way."

Art projects can look a lot of different ways. Share what students enjoy in your class. This way, the administration can get a sense of the joy your class brings to the community.

What artists have influenced you?

"There are so many artists to talk about here, but Pablo Picasso is one of my favorites. Picasso was an artist that certainly thought outside the box. He was willing to try new things, even if it was not the normal. This is the way I want my students to think in my class, too."

Any profession has people that bring about influence. The same can be said for art teachers. Speak about artists that have got you excited about art. Speak to the reasons you are impressed by their work.

Show and explain some pictures of your own work.

"I am glad you asked because I brought along my portfolio. I would say my paintings are the best work that I have done. But, photography is another part of art that I really love, too. Here are a few."

An interviewer wants to see what kind of artist they are hiring. If an art teacher has a quality portfolio, then they can expect that teaching may come more naturally. Bring along your best pieces during any interview, just in case.

How do you like to display art work around the school?

"At the last school I was at, I had an art gallery out in the hallway. This way, as students moved to and from class, they witnessed the art along the way. Additionally, we put them around the lunchroom, and had students vote on which pieces they thought were best."

Displaying art around a school is a big part of culture. Students should be proud of their art. By presenting it, students will enjoy art even more, as they see their hard-work play out in-front of the rest of the school.

Share one strength and weakness you have.

"A strength that I possess is being on-time. I will make sure I live up to the expectations of when to arrive and when to leave, on a typical school day. A weakness for me is listening. I sometimes can be more of a talker than listener. To combat this, I have been more aware of myself and allow others to share in conversation."

With this question, the interviewer wants to see all sides of you. Speak to a strength and how it makes you better. Also, describe a weakness and how you try to make it a strength.

Why did you decide to become an art teacher?

"I am an art teacher because of my experience with my high school art teacher. She cared deeply for me, and gave great feedback with my art. We still have a relationship today."

During an interview, you may get asked this question to get to know you better. Share about the moments in your life that brought you to the place you are today. This way, you can impress your interviewer right off the bat.

What questions do you have for us?

"As I was checking out your website, I noticed there was not a description of the art classes at this school. What art classes have you had over the years? Also, which art classes have had the most interest?"

The interviewer wants to see how much you care about this job. Make sure to check out the website of the school or research other materials to get a perspective of your prospective job. This way, you will have a few questions in mind, if this does come up.

How do parents get involved in your art classes?

"With my class, I certainly need parent chaperone help if we go on a field trip to to museum. Additionally, if I have parents with art experience, especially digital art, I have them come in to teach a class. These are a few ways that parents can stay connected with what I am doing."

Parents getting involved in art might not be priority one of an administration. But, it is imperative that parents can see and help with what is going on. Share a few ideas of what parents can do to be a part of your program.

What does technology look like in an art class?

"I believe technology has a big part to play in any art class. Of course, art pieces that students cannot see at a foreign museum can be shown on a projector in a classroom. But, I think digital art is the future that schools need to take more advantage of. More and more jobs need digital designers, and students can get a head start in school with this."

Technology is the present and future of teaching. Share how technology is enhancing art to it true potential. Casting vision for tech in an art class may be helpful for the administration, too.

Where do you want to be in the next five years?

"In the next five year, I want to be here at this school. I want to grow in my teaching and work more as an administrator, if possible. I want to help make this school the best possible and me taking on more leadership is the hope."

An administration wants to make sure that you are here for a few years when applying for a job. Speak to the vision you have to be a part of the school for the next five years. This way, there will be peace of mind coming from the administration, knowing that you will stick around for awhile.

How have you resolved a conflict with another teacher before?

"At my last job, there was a conflict I had with a fellow art teacher. I listened patiently to their concerns. We walked through miscommunication and came to an agreement to fix this problem, so it never happened again. Our relationship was stronger from this interaction."

Conflicts will arise for any educator. Still, conflict is not only involving students, but sometimes with other teachers, too. Speak to the professionalism you have when you have an interaction with another teacher that could be more tense than usual.

What is the hardest part of teaching?

"For me, the hardest part of teaching is creating enough activities for my students. I work hard to keep their attention, but sometimes things get bland. When this happens, I reach out to colleagues, as well as dive into professional development to be better for my students."

There are a lot of different things that can be hard about teaching. Pinpoint one of them and share it with your interviewer. Be sure to speak how you work to improve this day in and day out.

What does the average day of school look like for you?

"An average day of school for me is keeping the students' interest. I work to put a smile on the faces of my students. This way, students leave my classroom with a positive spirit moving forward the rest of their day."

Every teacher has an average day of what class looks like. Explain how your ordinary day still brings joy and excitement to students. This is the kind of teacher any school is looking for.

As a teacher, what do you need from the adminstration?

"I love an engaged administration, but I also do not want to overwhelm them. For sure, I would like support with student and parent issues. But, everything else, I will just keep plugging along to make the school proud."

An administration is a vital part of every school. But, there needs to be a balance of how much a teacher needs administrative support. So, speak to the needs you have, but also how your are a self-starter.

How do you work with challenging students?

"When I work with a challenging student, there are a few things I do to change the behavior. First, I ask if the student is alright. This often eases the situation right away. Secondly, I pull them out in the hallway to talk further. This makes it less pressure-filled inside my classroom. Often, this is enough to make the situation a positive one."

Challenging students are a part of the job description. An interviewer wants to understand your methodology to make things happen positively in your classroom. Talk through the steps you take for directness towards the student, but also how you defuse any situations.

Why did you apply for the job at this school?

"I applied for this job for a few reasons. First, I believe this school has more opportunities for me to grow as an educator. Secondly, I want to be a part of a community where people look out for each other and share in the highs and lows of teaching. This school maintains that attribute from what I have heard and seen."

A typical school gets lots of applications during any given year. They certainly want to understand if you are in it for the right reasons. Share your perspective on education and why you picked this school to apply for the job.

What has your experience been with special need students in your class?

"I have had some experiences over the years working with special need students. When this has happened, I work hard to give them opportunities to be successful. For example, I may change-up the lesson plan for more simplicity. In this way, everyone will have more fun in the process and still get the needed education."

Special need students certainly need more support than the typical art student. Share how you help these students along in the right way. Speak to your awareness of these students here.

What teaching methods do you enjoy?

"My teaching methods include hands-on experience and self-reflection. I love the fact that after I teach art styles to my students, they get to have personal experience where they get to think through what the process was like for them. The more I can get students involved, the more they can grow in their craft."

With so many teaching methods out there to consider, the interviewer wants to see where you fall in the conversation. Think through methods that involve as many students as possible. This way, the administration can get an understanding of your style.

If an administrator walks into your class, what will they see?

"If you were to walk into my class, you would see a lot of different things going on. First, you would see some students working on visual art projects like painting and drawing. In another corner, there would be plastic art like modeling and sculpting. During each quarter, students have to complete a project in each catergoy of art, after I teach the concepts during the first quarter."

Since more administrators will not see the classroom of a teacher they are looking to hire beforehand, you have to paint the picture for them. Share what things will be taking place. Speak to the joy of your classroom every day.

What is your experience with art?

"I have been in art since middle school. It has been my life-blood day-in and day-out since. I have worked with a variety of styles, from plastic arts to graphic arts. But, my favorite to work with is the visual arts."

As an administration looks to hire a new art teacher, they want to understand your background in the subject. Share your life experiences that have brought you to this point with art. Give specific examples to clear any confusion on the subject.

Art Teacher Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell us something about yourself outside the educational realm.
2. Describe how you help students feel like they belong.
3. Share how you get boys to engage in art.
4. How would you describe a great teacher?
5. Share about a lesson that was unsuccessful, but you learned a lot.
6. Use three words to describe you.
7. How do you promote interest in an art course?
8. How do you keep students on task?
9. Why does art matter to an education?
10. How do you get art supplies on a small budget?
11. What art projects do your students love?
12. What artists have influenced you?
13. Show and explain some pictures of your own work.
14. How do you like to display art work around the school?
15. Share one strength and weakness you have.
16. Why did you decide to become an art teacher?
17. What questions do you have for us?
18. How do parents get involved in your art classes?
19. What does technology look like in an art class?
20. Where do you want to be in the next five years?
21. How have you resolved a conflict with another teacher before?
22. What is the hardest part of teaching?
23. What does the average day of school look like for you?
24. As a teacher, what do you need from the adminstration?
25. How do you work with challenging students?
26. Why did you apply for the job at this school?
27. What has your experience been with special need students in your class?
28. What teaching methods do you enjoy?
29. If an administrator walks into your class, what will they see?
30. What is your experience with art?

Art Teacher Interview Questions

1. Tell us something about yourself outside the educational realm.

2. Describe how you help students feel like they belong.

3. Share how you get boys to engage in art.

4. How would you describe a great teacher?

5. Share about a lesson that was unsuccessful, but you learned a lot.

6. Use three words to describe you.

7. How do you promote interest in an art course?

8. How do you keep students on task?

9. Why does art matter to an education?

10. How do you get art supplies on a small budget?

11. What art projects do your students love?

12. What artists have influenced you?

13. Show and explain some pictures of your own work.

14. How do you like to display art work around the school?

15. Share one strength and weakness you have.

16. Why did you decide to become an art teacher?

17. What questions do you have for us?

18. How do parents get involved in your art classes?

19. What does technology look like in an art class?

20. Where do you want to be in the next five years?

21. How have you resolved a conflict with another teacher before?

22. What is the hardest part of teaching?

23. What does the average day of school look like for you?

24. As a teacher, what do you need from the adminstration?

25. How do you work with challenging students?

26. Why did you apply for the job at this school?

27. What has your experience been with special need students in your class?

28. What teaching methods do you enjoy?

29. If an administrator walks into your class, what will they see?

30. What is your experience with art?