What is the most challenging experience you've faced as a teacher?

What You Need to Know
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example

We all have challenges in our professions, and it is okay to talk about them! The key is that we do not allow these situations to get the best of us. Begin by sharing your most challenging experience as a teacher. Express that you did not let the case to get the best of you. Instead, you turned it into something positive. Mention what you learned from that situation, and explain what you would do in the future if you found yourself in a similar position again.

"The most challenging experience I have faced as a new teacher was with the faculty where I completed my internship. Unfortunately, it was very much a clique situation, and I did not gain the warm welcome that I was hoping. I made the most of the situation, kept my head high, soaking in all the knowledge that I could, and then moved on. What I learned is that I will always be warm and welcoming to the new teachers that come after me. I will do what I can to mentor and accept them, no matter how inexperienced they are."

"The most challenging experience for me in my teaching career was dealing with a parent who was always complaining about the things we did in the classroom. I was new to the school, and he wanted his daughter to be in the class of her former teacher. I called the parent for a sit-down and talked to him about the issues he had with me being the new teacher. I went over my credentials, complimented his child, and thanked him for his concern and involvement. In the end, he understood that his daughter will get new teachers now and then, and that was par-for-the-course in any school. He never complained after that, and we continue to have a great working relationship."

"The school I worked for went through some significant budget cuts last year. We were severely struggling even to get new pencil crayons in the classrooms, and books for the library. A few teachers and I put our heads together and created a plan for a community fundraiser and silent auction. The parents in the community became more involved than I could have imagined, and we raised $15,000 for our school. With that money, we were able to give our students some incredible experiences they otherwise would not have had. I learned that when you ask, people will help and that there are always resources to go around, you have to look a bit harder than usual sometimes."