Tell me about yourself.

"I just recently graduated from ABC University with a degree in Special Education. I would like to begin my career in the paraprofessional role to gain experience and learn from other teachers. I have known for quite some time that I was meant to be a teacher, and my student teaching experience in college only confirmed that. I love working with students, collaborating with teachers, and coming up with unique and creative ways to deliver information; I love the challenge. Outside of work, I enjoy practicing yoga and biking. Staying active allows me to burn off energy and relieve stress. I am excited for the opportunity to kick off my career at this great school."

This is a classic interview question that you should expect and prepare for. The interviewer wants to a chance to get to know you both personally and professionally. Provide some background information on your education and career and tell them a little bit about your life outside of work. Allow the interviewer a little glimpse into your life and who you are.

How comfortable are you leading a group of students through an assignment?

"Because I have limited experience leading a group of students at this grade level, I would probably need a week or two to feel completely comfortable. Once I am able to plan with the teacher to internalize the lesson and observe the teaching of it, I'm confident I'll feel comfortable working with a small group. Especially as I get to know students, I will feel more and more comfortable jumping in to assist them. With the proper training and preparation, I am confident I can take on whatever is asked of me in the classroom."

Be sure to share your answer honestly here, because your training and daily expectations may revolve around your ability to lead a group. Even if you have no teaching experience, you may feel totally comfortable leading a group of students, as long as you are given time to prepare and have a good grasp of the lesson. If you are not yet totally comfortable, share that you may wish to observe for a week or two, but would then be willing to work with small groups of students. This is a main responsibility of a paraprofessional, so be sure to communicate that you are a quick learner and would be willing to take on all responsibilities within a matter of weeks.

When have you not gotten along with a teacher before? What was the cause and how did you handle your difficulties with them?

"In my last position, my co-teacher and I had a good working relationship. She was an incredible teacher, we communicated well, and she recognized my strengths and helped me to develop them. There were a few instances where we had a disagreement about different students' ability levels and how we wanted to challenge them in various areas. I typically wanted to push students towards more rigorous learning and she was worried about how behavior would be triggered by more challenging work. At the end of the day, we always compromised and came to a resolution. We worked well together and she usually wanted to hear my input on different things."

Disagreements can happen in any workplace. What matters most, is that you are able to come to a compromise and continue working professionally, despite disagreements. Additionally, it is common that the teacher you would be working under would be your direct report. So, at the end of the day, you are working in their classroom and you should follow their lead. That is not to say that the paraprofessional cannot speak up and voice their opinion, but their role is to support the teacher and the students in the room. Be sure your example here highlights how you are able to come to a resolution and continue working collaboratively with the teacher.

When do you typically struggle to follow oral or written instructions in the workplace?

"The only time I tend to struggle with oral or written instructions in the workplace is when I am new to a role. It takes a little bit of time for me to adjust to the way things work in a new setting, so I may need to write myself a note or set up reminders on my phone to ensure I don't miss anything pressing. After a week or two, I should be fully adjusted, but I'm comfortable asking questions as they come up. I will definitely take it upon myself to learn and abide by rules and instructions in order to do my job well."

Everyone makes mistakes and at times, anyone could struggle with following an oral or written direction. Especially as you are adjusting to a new school, you may forget rules or miss things here and there. Be honest about your ability to follow directions, but show some initiative in your answer by ensuring you will do whatever it takes to adapt to new and changing rules. Maybe you need to take notes during staff meetings or leave a reminder on your desk to make sure you remember something. Whatever it is that may help you, demonstrate that you can take initiative and be responsible for following through with the expectations.

How knowledgeable are you in teaching students? What types of teaching concepts do you have a strong grasp on?

"In my three years in the classroom, I have gained experience teaching small groups of students, and even up to half of the class at one time. Once I see the teacher teach a lesson, I feel pretty confident in following her example. I feel particularly strong in teaching reading and writing, specifically letter sounds and sight words, and I have the most experience with those subjects. I regularly lead small groups through various activities and subjects, and I feel comfortable doing so, given enough planning and preparation. I look forward to the chance to get even more comfortable in this role."

This question allows an opportunity to show off your experience and confidence in working with students. Be sure to be open and honest with your comfortability level and experience. Even if you are not yet knowledgeable or confident, share your desire to learn and grow in this regard. If you are comfortable, share your experience leading groups and teaching students on your own and the teaching concepts or subjects you feel strongest in.

When have you displayed a great deal of patience?

"Last year, I was assigned to work with a student who had special needs and another student who was an English Language Learner in a 5th grade general education classroom. I had known the student with special needs for some time, but it was still a challenge working with him, and even more so when I was given an additional student to assist. Oftentimes, I would be working in a small group with those two students and one or two others. It was crucial that I remained calm and patient, because it was not anyone's fault that one student had limited English ability and the other struggled with reading. It was my job to support their learning, regardless of the situation. I did my best to encourage them, support them, and challenge them everyday."

Any teaching position, but especially a paraprofessional working with students with special needs, requires a great deal of patience. Not all people are created to work well with students, but for those who have the gift, it can be so very rewarding. Share a short anecdote of a time you had to display patience with the interviewer. Provide details like what you did to remain calm and keep your cool. Share the end result of the situation and potentially what you learned from it. Make sure the interviewer walks away from the interviewer feeling confident about your ability to work calmly and confidently with students.

Do you feel it would be important for you to attend faculty meetings?

"I do feel like it would be important to attend faculty meetings in order to stay current on expectations and school wide announcements. I don't want to just show up for my required hours here; I want to be invested in the school community, take on additional responsibilities, and assist in whatever ways I can. I am excited about the opportunities to learn and grow."

If you were to join the school staff, chances are you would be expected to join in on faculty meetings. It is a good idea to communicate that you would be more than willing to participate in any training, professional developing, and/or meetings necessary. Taking the initiative to attend meetings and get involved will speak volumes to school leadership and equip you with the information and tools necessary to feel confident and grow in your position.

When have you worked in harmony with another professional for a long period of time?

"I currently share an office with a coworker who I worked with for three years. I can get along with pretty much anyone, but we clicked right off the bat. We have a similar sense of humor and we really care about our work. We listen to each other, bounce ideas of one another, and help each other to solve problems and brainstorm ideas. We respect each others' time and space and remain positive and supportive. I really value coworkers who work hard, share resources, communicate openly, and who have a positive attitude."

School teams are incredibly collaborative and resourceful, but they also spend lots of time together, and often in stressful situations. The interviewer will want to hear that you are easy to get along with and can be an active participant in a team. Share about a professional relationship you have maintained for a long time and why it has been successful. Be sure to communicate that you value collaboration, open communication, and mutual respect in your working relationships.

If a student fails to grasp a concept you are teaching them over and over again, what would you do?

"If a student were to struggle with a particular concept, I would do everything I could to help them out. A couple of the strategies I might utilize would be scaffolding the learning to make it more bite sized, allowing a peer to teach the student, and allowing the student to reference notes and example problems. I would attempt to teach the student in steps to determine exactly where they were misunderstanding. I know students often learn better from each other, so I may utilize a peer who I know has the concept down and could communicate it well. I may also create a sort of 'cheat sheet' for the student to reference notes and examples that could help them through additional practice. Regardless of the strategy, I would continue to work with them and encourage them until they learned the skill."

If you have any experience teaching, you know that you will run into this situation time and time again. The best teachers have various strategies in their back pocket to use to help students. Some of these strategies include allowing a peer to teach the student, scaffolding the material to break down each step, having the student reference notes, providing several practice problems, assigning group work, walking the student through your thought process, creating anchor charts to reference, rewarding the student for their persistence, and encouraging the student as they work hard. Pick a few of these and describe how they could help the student in understanding the content.

If a student disobeys your instructions, what would you do?

"First and foremost, I know how important it is to establish a relationship with all students. If I didn't have a relationship with the student who disobeyed my instruction, I would redirect them, but also look to find something in common that we could bond over. Students respond more favorably to people they like and respect, so I would do my best to begin to build a relationship with a student. If they continued to disobey, I would try to motivate them by leveraging a peer or an activity they were fond of. At the very last resort, I would issue a consequence and potentially call home, depending on the situation."

Whenever you're talking about behavior or teaching in general, it is important to mention that building relationships with students is crucial. A positive relationship is the key for learning to occur and for mutual respect. However, even if you may have a great relationship with a student, they may still test their luck, push your buttons, and make poor decisions. How you choose to respond in this situation reveals a lot about you and what you value in the classroom setting. Be honest here, but be sure to mention that you would consider the humanity of the student, whether or not their needs were being met, and what you could've done differently so that they would comply. Keep in mind that issuing an immediate consequence may not always be the most appropriate option.

When have you worked with students with disabilities before?

"I have worked with students with disabilities for the past two years through my church. Our children's program is very inclusive to all kids, but some require a buddy in order to fully engage. I have been a buddy for the same two young children for the past two years. I greet them at the door when they arrive, help them engage with other kids during free play, involve them in the various activities we do, and make them feel welcome. They have different abilities; one needs some behavior and socialization support while the other is nonverbal. I work very closely with both of them so they feel a part of the group and can engage with whatever the group is doing."

This should be a very straightforward question. If you have, share the extent to which you have worked with students with disabilities. Explain your roles and responsibilities, because they can vary with different age groups and ability levels. If the answer is no, share your eagerness to learn and what got you excited about working with students.

Why did you apply for this position?

"I applied for this position because I am so excited about the opportunity to work in a school. My goal is to one day become a teacher, and I would be so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the teachers at your school. I have always had a gift for working with young students, and I'm excited to get involved and learn."

Share what initially got you excited about this position and working in a school. The interviewer will be listening to hear your passion for working with students and your excitement for the job. Be sure to express both in your answer and allow the interviewer to get to know a little bit about you. Your answer to this question may just land you the job, so try to be specific and express your genuine interest.

When have you displayed a great deal of responsibility?

"Over the summer, I work as a program assistant at a summer camp. Last summer, I was tasked with planning the entire field day, where all different camps come together and compete in various field day events and activities. I had to plan and arrange everything from transportation, to food, to activities and equipment, to first aid, to the schedule, and come up with a separate plan for inclement weather. It was such a huge responsibility, but my manager saw the potential in me and knew, with my attention to detail, that I could pull it off. The day went off without a hitch and I had every single detail planned out. I was so proud of myself and my boss was impressed by all of my work and poise that day."

Share a time with the interviewer when you were given a great deal of responsibility and you handled each and every thing that came your way. Be sure to provide an appropriate amount of context so the interviewer can understand the situation, and be specific about what you were entrusted with and how you delivered. Don't hold back details here or begin to feel as if you're bragging, the interviewer wants to hear that you can handle the responsibility of working with students and perform under pressure.

How would you describe your teaching style?

"My teaching style is warm and demanding. I strive to be approachable and to foster an environment where mistakes can be made and growth is celebrated, but I also have high expectations of my students. While they are in my care, I want to challenge them and push them to meet their goals, while celebrating their successes and encouraging them. I value the existence of love and high expectations in the classrooms I work in."

If you've spent time in the classroom before, you may have begun to develop your unique teaching philosophy and style. If you haven't, try to think of some great leaders that you've worked under or learned from, and consider why they were such effective leaders. Regardless of your teaching experience, be ready to share three or four adjectives that directly speak to your leadership ability and your character.

What has been a very challenging experience you have faced while working with students before?

"Challenges most often occur when there is a lack of communication or preparation. I try to plan closely with the teachers I support so I know exactly what is expected of me and my students. Last year, I was put in a challenging situation when I was leading a small group of students who had vastly different abilities. I was trying to help each one and keep them engaged in the activity, while also monitoring behavior and being pulled in several different directions. It got very hectic and unmanageable and then I realized that students were not in the correct groupings. The adults in the room sorted it out and it became much more manageable. Now I know the value of good communication, planning, and getting to know each student on a personal level."

There are various challenges you may experience when working with students. Each student comes with a unique set of capabilities and challenges, and navigating those is just part of the job. Don't feel like experiencing challenges will disqualify you from the job. The interviewer is more interested in seeing your ability to navigate challenges, the strategies you use, and your willingness to do what it takes and learn from your experiences. Share an brief anecdote of a time you experienced a challenge and the outcome of the situation.

When have you felt uncomfortable around a student with a certain disability?

"A few years ago, I was left alone in a classroom with a student with some aggressive tendencies. It was only supposed to be for a few minutes, but that turned into thirty minutes. The student knew lunch was approaching, and he began exhibiting some behaviors that I knew were beginning stages of him truly acting out. I did what I could to distract him and engage him in something he enjoyed, but when I started to feel uncomfortable, I called the main office for back up. As soon as another adult entered the room, I immediately felt better and we all went on a walk to get out of the classroom before lunch. I feel very comfortable asking for help when I need it or when I don't feel adequately prepared; I will continue to do so in this new role."

With this question, the interviewer is trying to gauge your overall comfortability with students with different needs. Be sure to be honest, without sharing something that would cause the interviewer to doubt your ability to work effectively with students. It is ok to share a time when you were left alone with a student or underprepared/not trained for a specific task. Be sure to also share what you learned from the situation you were put in and how you avoid uncomfortable situations moving forward.

Is this a job you are truly passionate about or did you apply for this job out of a necessity for income?

"I am passionate about working with students. I can't imagine a job more suitable for me. I am patient, caring, compassionate, and a helper. I enjoy working closely with students and witnessing their growth. I also take very seriously the responsibility of shaping and encouraging young people to be their very best. I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity."

Becoming a paraprofessional is really not a job you take just to pass the time or just for a paycheck. Working with students, and particularly those with special needs, requires the right kind of person with a passion for the job. Each day is a new adventure, and lots of care and compassion is required in this role. Share with the interviewer that you are passionate about working with students and being a part of their growth. It can't hurt to include that you are up for the challenge and will be a dedicated, reliable staff member.

How well do you take constructive feedback? Give me an example of when you have taken feedback and applied it to your work.

"I am eager for feedback because I am always looking to grow and improve. I welcome feedback that is spoken kindly and helps me to develop professionally. Last year at work, my manager noticed that I only shared my ideas for improvement with her and never in our team meetings. I can be hesitant to share in big groups, but she encouraged me to speak up because my ideas were good. Since then, I have been working on speaking up more in groups and sharing my ideas for improvement. Several of my ideas have been implemented and that has helped my confidence, so I am hopeful it will only continue to improve."

Be sure you answer this question honestly, especially because the interviewer may be contacting your reference and may ask them the same question. Employers want to hire staff who put their egos aside and accept feedback because they want to continue to develop professionally. Provide a specific example of a time you were offered constructive feedback, you accepted it gracefully, and you applied it to your work immediately because you wanted to improve.

What do you know about this school and this school district?

"I was very intrigued by the amount of before and after school options for students listed on your website. I would love to get involved in those if you are in need of help. I also noticed that on your social media channels, you celebrate a different teacher monthly. I think that is very special and allows teachers the recognition they really deserve. I also have read newsworthy stories of student success, excellent test scores and preparation, and awards the school and district has won for top performance. I was very impressed by all of the district's accolades, and I would love to be a part of the work happening here."

Prior to your interview, be sure to do some research about the school and the district by paging through their websites, looking up their social media channels, and finding any relevant news about the school or district. This is your chance to show off that you've put in the work, taken an interest in the school, and can communicate what you've learned and what you admire. Make sure you have a few different points to share to demonstrate you've done your homework.

Why do you have a passion for educating students with disabilities?

"I grew up with a younger cousin who had special needs. I was always protective of her and loved to help her with whatever she needed. We would play together as kids and I never treated her any different than I would my other cousins. When she entered middle school, I was crushed to find out she was being bullied. I have always been compassionate, patient, empathetic, and friendly and I can't stand when people are looked down upon for having different abilities. I absolutely love working with children and I'm hoping this will be the start of an exciting career for me."

Working with students with special needs is a difficult job. It takes a very patient person to do the job and it definitely is not for the faint of heart. Be sure to communicate passion and excitement when answering this question. Share why you enjoy working with children and more specifically, students with special needs. This is an opportunity to share a personal story or talk about a love one who inspired your journey. Be sure to have a compelling reason as to why you are interested in this field.

Paraprofessional Educator Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How comfortable are you leading a group of students through an assignment?
3. When have you not gotten along with a teacher before? What was the cause and how did you handle your difficulties with them?
4. When do you typically struggle to follow oral or written instructions in the workplace?
5. How knowledgeable are you in teaching students? What types of teaching concepts do you have a strong grasp on?
6. When have you displayed a great deal of patience?
7. Do you feel it would be important for you to attend faculty meetings?
8. When have you worked in harmony with another professional for a long period of time?
9. If a student fails to grasp a concept you are teaching them over and over again, what would you do?
10. If a student disobeys your instructions, what would you do?
11. When have you worked with students with disabilities before?
12. Why did you apply for this position?
13. When have you displayed a great deal of responsibility?
14. How would you describe your teaching style?
15. What has been a very challenging experience you have faced while working with students before?
16. When have you felt uncomfortable around a student with a certain disability?
17. Is this a job you are truly passionate about or did you apply for this job out of a necessity for income?
18. How well do you take constructive feedback? Give me an example of when you have taken feedback and applied it to your work.
19. What do you know about this school and this school district?
20. Why do you have a passion for educating students with disabilities?

Paraprofessional Educator Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.

2. How comfortable are you leading a group of students through an assignment?

3. When have you not gotten along with a teacher before? What was the cause and how did you handle your difficulties with them?

4. When do you typically struggle to follow oral or written instructions in the workplace?

5. How knowledgeable are you in teaching students? What types of teaching concepts do you have a strong grasp on?

6. When have you displayed a great deal of patience?

7. Do you feel it would be important for you to attend faculty meetings?

8. When have you worked in harmony with another professional for a long period of time?

9. If a student fails to grasp a concept you are teaching them over and over again, what would you do?

10. If a student disobeys your instructions, what would you do?

11. When have you worked with students with disabilities before?

12. Why did you apply for this position?

13. When have you displayed a great deal of responsibility?

14. How would you describe your teaching style?

15. What has been a very challenging experience you have faced while working with students before?

16. When have you felt uncomfortable around a student with a certain disability?

17. Is this a job you are truly passionate about or did you apply for this job out of a necessity for income?

18. How well do you take constructive feedback? Give me an example of when you have taken feedback and applied it to your work.

19. What do you know about this school and this school district?

20. Why do you have a passion for educating students with disabilities?