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Preschool Director Mock Interview

Question 7 of 40 for our Preschool Director Mock Interview

Preschool Director was updated by on February 23rd, 2021. Learn more here.

Question 7 of 40

Talk about a time when you demonstrated excellent teaching skills.

"(Situation) When I was teaching full time at Preschool ABC, I was asked by the director to place a strong focus on creating a classroom environment based on collaboration and open communication. (Task) As an educator with a strong focus on mindfulness, I knew that I wanted my students to feel as though the classroom was a safe place for them. My class was Pre-K students, so all of the children were brand new to a school environment. (Action) To make them feel comfortable and part of the group, I asked them to help me decide on a theme for the classroom, and together, we would decorate the room. The classroom decided on a dinosaur theme. Together, we created the decor, and along the way, I held dinosaur-themed team-building activities. Not only did the kids have fun decorating, but they were learning dinosaur facts along the way. (Result) Compared to previous Pre-K classes I had taught before, this group was much more interactive, and they came out of their shells much faster. I even had fewer discipline issues throughout the year because the students took pride in the classroom, and the project they had worked so hard to put together."

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How to Answer: Talk about a time when you demonstrated excellent teaching skills.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Preschool Director job interview.

  • 7. Talk about a time when you demonstrated excellent teaching skills.

      How to Answer

      As a Preschool Director, you will likely have been a dedicated early childhood educator earlier in your career. Perhaps now, as a director, you still jump into the classroom when a teacher needs added coverage. Talk to the interviewers about your teaching skills and be prepared to give a specific story-based example of when your excellent teaching skills made a difference.

      Give a specific story-based example of a time when you had to come to a program or education-related decision while under pressure. When you offer a story of a 'time when,' you may find it helpful to follow the STAR framework. STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Outline the decision at hand, and describe how you approached the challenge. Explain that you made your decision based on the best interests of all parties involved, and be sure to explain why you feel the decision was the best choice, overall.

      Written by Rachelle Enns on September 7th, 2020

      Answer Example

      "(Situation) When I was teaching full time at Preschool ABC, I was asked by the director to place a strong focus on creating a classroom environment based on collaboration and open communication. (Task) As an educator with a strong focus on mindfulness, I knew that I wanted my students to feel as though the classroom was a safe place for them. My class was Pre-K students, so all of the children were brand new to a school environment. (Action) To make them feel comfortable and part of the group, I asked them to help me decide on a theme for the classroom, and together, we would decorate the room. The classroom decided on a dinosaur theme. Together, we created the decor, and along the way, I held dinosaur-themed team-building activities. Not only did the kids have fun decorating, but they were learning dinosaur facts along the way. (Result) Compared to previous Pre-K classes I had taught before, this group was much more interactive, and they came out of their shells much faster. I even had fewer discipline issues throughout the year because the students took pride in the classroom, and the project they had worked so hard to put together."

      Written by Rachelle Enns on September 7th, 2020

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous Answer

      "I had two staff who did not like one another, one had been there a long time, and the second was new and had so many ideas. I worked on team-building activities with them for many months until my seasoned employee came into me and said " x does have some really great ideas, you are right." And employee X came in and said " I guess I still have a lot to learn I am glad you have me with a seasoned employee. "

      Stephanie's Feedback

      This is an excellent example of leadership, conflict resolution, and team building! I suggest adding in a closing sentence that really clinches why your excellent teaching skills created this positive outcome.

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