30 Leadership Interview Questions for a Teacher
1. How do you work with other to create an authentic learning environment?
How to Answer
Authentic learning environments can be hard to come by. But, through teamwork, all things are possible. Share with the interviewer a time when you created a lesson or curriculum with someone else that made the space a brilliant place to learn.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
1st Answer Example
"Learning environments can often be dull and boring if teachers do not collaborate. That is why, in my last school, I worked with teachers with different focus areas to try to make learning more enjoyable for students. I discussed with other teachers what was working well in their classes, and we brainstormed ways to implement similar learning within our own classes."
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
2. How do you want to improve your leadership skills here at this school?
How to Answer
With this question, an interviewer may have some holes to fill in terms of classes, extra-curriculars, etc. Speak to what you would be willing to do in a school to help fill positions. An interviewer is always looking for someone to cover spaces that will fix a problem.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
1st Answer Example
"As an educator, I understand the value of working with an administration to solve problems. So, that is what I have tried to do during my teaching career. Last year, I teamed up with another teacher to be on a commitee to help solve tardiness at the school. We came up with policies and rewards to keep students accountable and motivated."
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
3. Who has been the best leader in the world's history?
How to Answer
There are a lot of choices here. But, an interviewer wants to see who has inspired you through history. Think of a specific example and what attributes made them a great leader.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
1st Answer Example
"For me, Abraham Lincoln has been the best leader of all-time. He stopped slavery, even though he knew there would be backlash. Ultimately, he had vision for the future, even though he lost his life at the end of the day. Leaders do things that not everyone is fond of."
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
4. What is not an attribute of leadership that some people think is?
How to Answer
Leadership can look a lot of different ways. That is true. But, there are some attributes of a leader that have been misconstrued over the years. Speak to one that is not leadership and why this is the case.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
5. Describe a time you improved your leadership skills.
How to Answer
As an educator, you should always look to improve yourself. When it comes to leadership, think through what your goals are. Then, communicate to the interviewer how you will work towards this appropriately. Short-term goals should be well-placed in this answer.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
6. Share an example where you experienced poor leadership.
How to Answer
Poor leadership is something, unfortunately, that educators and students experience alike. An interviewer not only wants to hear about how you experienced poor leadership, but more importantly, how you handled the situation. This way, an interviewer can see your true colors in this type of situation.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
7. What does 'leadership' mean to you?
How to Answer
This question allows the chance for you to give your own definition of "leadership." Speak to the values of this theme in your class and why it matters. Then, the interviewer will better understand who you are and why you tick.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
8. How do you give students opportunities to be a leader?
How to Answer
Think about how you build leadership into all your lessons. Describe to the interviewer how you give students' opportunities in this area. This way, you can give students' chances to grow in life.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
9. What is a time where someone was a leader to you?
How to Answer
Think about your whole life, when it pertains to this question. For this example, you could share about a parent, teacher, peer, etc. to answer this question. Just be sure to speak about specifics as to why this impacted you.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
10. How do you bring teachers into your curriculum?
How to Answer
Having cross-curricular connections with other teachers is a big deal in any school community. Talk to the interviewer about how you work together to show students the value of all educational paths. This way, you can prove that you are a team player.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
11. Where are you going in life and how do you bring people along for the ride?
How to Answer
An interviewer wants to see what you life goals are for a few reasons. First, they want to make sure that you will be around for a few years. Next, they want to help you achieve your goals while at the school. Cast some vision for them to help them get to know your dreams and aspirations.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
12. Who are you and how does that impact people?
How to Answer
This question is like an icebreaker of sorts to get to know you as a person. Talk to the interviewer about how your personality sets the tone in your class. By sharing what you are like, the interviewer can get a sense of how you impact people for the better.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
13. How do you stop bias in your classroom?
How to Answer
Bias can really hurt a classroom. Students will turn on each other, and then they will turn on you. Speak about creating a culture where you can be fair and open with your students. If you can prove of past examples where you did this well, the interviewer will really look in your direction for the next hire.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
14. In what ways do you support teachers at school?
How to Answer
Teaching is not an individualized profession. That is why the interviewer would ask a question such as this. Make sure to discuss how you interact positively and kindly in all situations. Even in the most challenging work environments, the interviewer wants to make sure you are a team-player.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
15. How do you engage families in the teaching process?
How to Answer
Being a leader means stepping up to the plate to interact with parents. This might not be the most enjoyable part of teaching, but you do have to work with parents to help students' succeed. Share with the interviewer a time when you went above and beyond to work with parents of a student.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
16. How do you model listening in your classroom?
How to Answer
As a teacher, you are one of the few examples in a students life to actually model listening. Talk to the interviewer about how you give each student the time of day to have their voice heard. Showing that you give an outlet for students will really interest an administrator who is considering you for the job.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
17. Speak of a time when you motivated another student.
How to Answer
It is not always easy for teachers to motivate students. But, the interviewer wants to get a sense of your motivation style. Give a quick, detailed response to how you have motivated in the past.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
18. Speak of a time where you motivated another teacher.
How to Answer
Everyday brings its own challenges. As a teacher, there will be days when you lack the energy to push through. The same can be said for other teachers. For this question, the interviewer wants to see how you bring optimism to teachers around you and inspire. Share a time when a teacher's mindset changed because of something you did, big or small.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
19. In what ways do you work collaboratively?
How to Answer
Teaching is not something you do on your own. There is a lot that is done in teams. The interviewer would love to see what you have completed with other educators in year's past. Share specifics on how the process looked in your example.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
20. What value do you bring to a leadership team at a school?
How to Answer
The interviewer is hoping to grasp how well you work in a team. Think through what you bring to any school and why that makes the environment better than before. No need to be humble here. Be honest about your talents and skills. The interviewer did ask after all.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
21. What are your expertise areas?
How to Answer
Each teacher has an area in their craft that they feel most comfortable teaching, based upon experience, knowledge, etc. Share what sets you a part from other teachers in your area, and how you can bring that to the table to educate students the best way possible.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
22. What do you want your 'fingerprint' to be on the school?
How to Answer
Everyone has a reason for teaching. Share with the interviewer what your reason is. Give clarity on what matters for you as an educator, and what you try to accomplish day in and day out.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
23. What are the best ways to build leadership in a school?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for ideas here to help build leadership on campus. Share things that have worked well in the past for you. This way, the interviewer will be able to tell if you have leadership pedigree or not.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
24. How do you communicate the vision of the school?
How to Answer
Not every school does a good job of communicating vision. Regardless, teachers need to be an advocate for their school, building it up and giving praise, even on the most difficult of weeks. Be clear on how you will share this information with the masses.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
25. What does teaching to look like at the perfect school?
How to Answer
We all know there is no such thing as a perfect school. But, the interviewer wants to get a sense of what matters to you at a school. This way, they can see if you are the right fit for the job.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
26. What are learning areas that you can model as a leader?
How to Answer
Learning areas are a part of what moves a good teacher to a great one. When a teacher is able to model how they learn, others will take note in the process. This is what an interviewer wants. They want teachers who are modeling at all times.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
27. What are the best ways to engage in a school community?
How to Answer
Engagement outside of teaching in a school community makes any teacher a better fit. The interviewer wants to see how committed you really are to a teaching position. An administrator wants a teacher that is a part of the community, much more than just as a teacher. Speak to the fun you have had outside of the classroom, when you have connected with a school community.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
28. What are the realities of teaching when giving advice to another teacher?
How to Answer
An interviewer wants to see if you understand the challenges of being an educator. It is not all roses when you teach. So, speak honestly how other teachers have reacted to constructive feedback.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
29. How do you maximize the strengths of people around you?
How to Answer
Seeing strengths in someone is a real gift. The interviewer wants to get a sense of how you speak into the lives of others by casting vision. Talk about a time where you shared with someone a strength they had and encouraged them to build upon it.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021
30. What is the best way to solidify relationships with your peers?
How to Answer
Building relationships is not something that comes on Day #1. It takes time and effort. The interviewer wants to make sure that you work towards getting to know the staff. This way, a success work environment can happen. Then, a school can work through even the most challenging of circumstances together.
Written by Shane Reinhard on April 13th, 2021