MockQuestions

Middle School Teacher Mock Interview

30 Questions Created By

To help you prepare for your Middle School Teacher interview, here are 30 interview questions and answer examples.

First Question

30 Middle School Teacher Interview Questions

10 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   Would you say that you are a tough teacher?

How to Answer

When faced with this question, you'll want to define what 'tough' means before elaborating. 'Tough' can have varying meanings and connotations for different people, so make sure that the interviewers are on the same page as you are. The interviewers are interested in discovering what 'tough' means to you and to what degree you deem tough to be useful.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"Well, first I'd like to define what I believe 'tough' to be in the context of teaching. When I think of a 'tough' teacher, I think of one that sets clear boundaries and doesn't bend them. I think of a teacher that might be fun and lighthearted but doesn't allow that to interfere with instruction and learning. I would say that I am tough-adjacent. I believe in boundaries and setting high standards for my students to rise to, and I also believe in the need for contextual adaptation and flexibility. For example, if my students have been working really hard and just completed a lengthy standardized test, then I would encourage them to take a 'brain break' to re-charge prior to jumping back into the material."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

2.   How would you describe your teaching style?

How to Answer

The interviewer is interested in understanding not only how you teach, but how you might handle group dynamics in a classroom setting. Use this opportunity to share what teaching methods are most natural for you and how you adapt your approach in a dynamic environment.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"My teaching style follows the 'Warm/Strict' methodology in that I maintain a consistent balance of kind, empathetic approachability with firm and predictable boundaries. I believe that young learners thrive best in an environment that meets them where they're at while stillguaranteeing reliable structure and routine."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

3.   What was the most difficult child you have ever dealt with?

How to Answer

The interviewer is looking for certain behaviors that could easily be found in any middle school classroom, and they want to get a gauge on how you view the behavior and manage the situation. Begin by providing an objective overview of the child, then share a specific example of a difficult situation as well as how you handled it. They will be looking for your desire and ability to navigate challenges and provide positive solutions for the school and the students.



Pro tip: do share the context of how you know and interact with the child, but do not share the child's name. Go a step further by drawing a distinction between the behavior and the child - the behavior is what is difficult.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"First, I'd like to make a distinction between the child and the behavior. I've dealt with a lot of difficult behavior out of many children, and I remind myself that difficult behavior in children can often result from something else. So, I try not to blur the lines between the child and the behavior, though I know sometimes that can be challenging! That said, one of my very first 6th-graders routinely exhibited difficult and disruptive behavior in the classroom. Nearly every day, he would try something that would taunt and distract other students in the class. One day, he pulled matches out of his bag and began trying to light them, then threw his full bookbag at the closest student who tried to stop him. Talk about a difficult situation! After any one of these incidents, he would prepare himself to go to the office or to detention, knowing that one of those options was inevitably his fate. Many people would likely write this student off as a 'lost cause,' and many of them did. When I saw how he prepared himself to go to the office, I knew there was more to it. I offered to go to the office with him if he felt more comfortable having me there, whether to simply be present or to help mediate. He was surprised to be offered help and support given the circumstances, and he took it. I realized that he had no choice but to internalize much of what other teachers and students had thought of him, and he was performing to the expectation. Since then, I've had an entirely different perspective on 'difficult children' and behavior."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

4.   What does a model classroom look like to you?

How to Answer

More and more schools and teachers are beginning to re-think how they structure their classrooms to better align with youth development stages and maximize learning potential. That said, not all schools are on board with the changing environment. Do your research on the school to help frame your answer, or feel free to engage with the question more by asking about their own environment.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"I appreciate the benefits of structure with the freedom of choice. I like to set up my classrooms so that we may have a central place to come together and learn with mixed desk options to accommodate a variety of learning styles. For example, I might have a couple of taller tables along the side for more active or fidgety students to stand and complete their work, while other students might work best seated. I also like to ensure learning, even for a wandering eye, so I will post colorful and educational visuals all around the room to secretly engage a disengaged student. I'd love to learn more about how you've found your students to respond to different classroom structures within this school specifically."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

5.   How do you manage students with different reading abilities?

How to Answer

Every classroom is bound to have students with a variety of skill levels and challenges, particularly in reading. The interviewer is looking for ways you ensure that all levels are supported at the same time, which can be tricky! Don't be afraid to point out the difficulty in this as long as you express the importance of 'meeting students where they're at' and creating unique goals based on the needs of the student. This can be applied to any number of school subjects.



Pro tip: reference the 'Confidence/Competence' loop when answering this question. Note that supporting a student's confidence in a particular subject can carry just as great an impact as growing their competence.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"My primary goal is to ensure that all of my students are set up to succeed, and sometimes the road to success looks different from one person to another. In order to balance the confidence and competence required for a student to thrive, I work with them to create custom goals and achievable benchmarks. I offer multiple ways for my students to learn, observe, and practice their skills, from storytelling to peer-to-peer reading to independent reading time. Each student and I will check back in with one another at each benchmark to re-evaluate progress and goals."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

6.   How would you react if a parent complained about your class?

How to Answer

It can be very difficult to please everyone at the same time, and middle school teachers and staff know this as well as anyone. This question prepares you for a very possible future circumstance and provides the interviewer insight as to how you view parent input and feedback. Note that 'complained' carries a negative connotation, so you'll want your answer to spin it in a positive and productive way.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"I would ask the parent to share key examples related to their complaint in order to best understand the context for the comments, then I would listen fully and paraphrase my understanding so they know I am paying full attention to their concerns. I would thank them for their feedback, share any relevant parameters that I must follow within my position, and offer to dive deeper into their concerns and brainstorm ways in which we can work together to put their child's learning first."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

7.   How do you engage parents in their child's learning?

How to Answer

One of the dilemma's schools and teachers often face is getting parents more hands-on in their child's learning and keeping them hands-on. The interviewers are looking for a candidate that recognizes the value of parent involvement and has innovative ways of drawing parents in.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"I have found that a lack of tools or awareness often impede parents from engaging in their child's learning. I start my school year with one-on-one parent/teacher meetings to inform them of what's to come, offer some tools and tips on how to approach homework, and offer alternative ways to engage their child in learning. I want all of my parents to start out on a more even playing field with at least a few tools to get them started, and I'll continue to check-in periodically to see how the tools are working and whether or not they need new or modified techniques. I'll also reinforce parent involvement in my communication with students by advising them to ask their parents for help. I might even suggest that they reverse the roles and 'teach' their parents what they're learning in class or read to them at the end of the day."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

8.   When do you typically find a need to connect with fellow teachers?

How to Answer

It can be easy for teachers to become siloed in their classrooms, and more schools and districts are looking to collaborative solutions that will encourage more connections between teachers. The interviewers are interested in learning how open you are to connecting with other teachers and what motivates those connections. Consider framing how you want and enjoy connecting with fellow teachers, then address when you 'need' to connect.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"I believe that I have something to learn from all of my fellow teachers, so I enjoy regularly connecting with them to share best practices, discuss how our students are doing in different settings around the school, and learn new ways to jazz up my approach to a subject. I've found that when teachers have a greater sense of communication and collaboration, the emotional and physical load of our work feels lighter. That said, I definitely begin to feel more of a 'need' to connect with fellow teachers when I have had a particularly challenging day, like after a difficult parent-teacher conference or a behavioral situation in the classroom. I think it's important to remember in those moments that I have a very understanding support system just a classroom."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

9.   How do you feel about supporting various roles at school?

How to Answer

School teachers are often needed to support in additional roles around the building, such as lunch/recess supervisor, pick-up and drop-off monitor, and after school safety point. Some schools might need teachers to support in more capacities than others. Your interviewers are likely looking for a collaborative individual who might be open and interested in supporting the school beyond the classroom alone.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"I welcome the opportunity to engage with my students in capacities outside of the classroom. When I have the chance to get more involved in other areas, I feel better integrated into the school community and have a greater sense of camaraderie with my co-workers as well."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

10.   How do you cater to different learning styles in your classroom?

How to Answer

Students absorb information in a number of ways, so your interviewers are looking for whether or not you accommodate for varying learning styles in your classroom environment, lesson plans, and instruction. There are many 'learning styles' - some of the most well-known include: visual, aural, verbal, and kinesthetic.



Pro tip: make your response personal by touching on your own learning style and how it might vary by environment.



Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

Answer Example

"I find that my own learning style changes based on my environment and what I might be learning. I can tell when I have to work harder to absorb information if an incompatible teaching style is employed, and that's just for me. When I think of the number of students in my classroom, I remember how many different learning styles are likely in the room. I try to introduce a blend of techniques in my teaching when covering each concept. I might not be able to reach all of them in one day, so I'll integrate it into the next day. For example, I might deliver standard verbal instruction paired with some visuals, allow students to complete some sort of physical activity with manipulatives, encourage independent reading, and review with a song or video that covers the content."

Written by Clara Canon on November 21st, 2019

More Interview Practice

Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Student Teacher

Student Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Behavior Teacher Questions

Behavior Teacher Questions

Start Mock Interview

Math Teacher

Math Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Teacher

Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Situational Teacher Questions

Situational Teacher Questions

Start Mock Interview

ABE Teacher

ABE Teacher

Start Mock Interview

History Teacher

History Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Art Teacher

Art Teacher

Start Mock Interview

English Teacher

English Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Nursery School Attendant

Nursery School Attendant

Start Mock Interview

Golf Instructor

Golf Instructor

Start Mock Interview

GED Teacher

GED Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Leadership Teacher Questions

Leadership Teacher Questions

Start Mock Interview

Vocational Education Teacher

Vocational Education Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Preschool Teacher

Preschool Teacher

Start Mock Interview

Chegg Logo

Chegg

Start Mock Interview