How to Answer: Tell me about a time when you've had to work with a difficult teacher. What made them difficult and how did you create a breakthrough?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Instructional Coordinator job interview.
21. Tell me about a time when you've had to work with a difficult teacher. What made them difficult and how did you create a breakthrough?
How to Answer
Teachers do a lot of collaborative work, but many often have differing teaching styles or maybe operate their classrooms differently. Demonstrating a willingness to listen, cooperate, and compromise is important when working in a collaborative environment. Your answer here should reflect your willingness to reach common ground, your ability to be direct and professional, and demonstrate how you were able to successfully resolve a conflict or continue working together, despite differences.
Written by Audra Kresinske on March 4th, 2021
Answer Example
"The teacher I was working with was very dismissive of me. She thought that she knew best. I knew that with her type of personality, I wouldn't be able to get through to her unless she saw the value of my role. At first I asked her to coffee, but she said she was really busy. So instead, I asked to join her during her lunch. We bonded over common horror stories we had read. That wasn't quite enough to gain her trust, though. She liked me, but she didn't like how I worked.
The next time I had a chance, I asked her what she thought Instructional Coordinators do. She laughed and said that she thought they were supposed to spy on teachers and write them up for every little mistake.
I took the chance to tell her more about exactly what my purpose was, and how I fit into the organization. I pointed out that at the end of the day, we just want what's best for the students. I promised her that it wouldn't be a one-way relationship, that she'd be able to be honest with me, and give me her feedback. She turned into one of my biggest supporters after we had that talk."
Written by Audra Kresinske on March 4th, 2021
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