Questions to Ask a School in a Teacher Interview

Imagine this. It's the day of the interview. You're wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident. You aced the challenging questions you practiced ahead of time, such as, "What is your biggest weakness in the classroom?" 

Suddenly, the principal drops a final question: "What questions do you have for us?" 

You freeze up. What will you ask? What questions can you say that will reveal your critical thinking skills, passion for the job, interest in the school, and competency? 

Fortunately, this isn't your actual interview, and you have time to prepare some questions. In this blog post, I'll share some thought-provoking questions to ask interviewers at the end of a teacher interviewer. After browsing through the options, jot down a few questions that stand out to you or use the suggestions as a catalyst for brainstorming your own questions. Consider taking a list of at least five questions on a nice pad of paper with you to the interview. This will show your level of preparation and help you if your brain freezes up. 

• What percentage of teachers stay at the school each year? What is the school doing to increase retention rates? 
• How well do teachers collaborate with each other? 
• What are the top skills or qualities that you are looking for in a candidate? 
• What is your favorite part about working at this school? (Pay close attention to the respondant's facial expression and response. This can give you valuable insights about the workplace environment.) 
• What professional development opportunities does the school provide for teachers? 
• What role does the school play in the local community? 
• Give examples of challenging situations and ask how teachers would be supported by administration in those instances. 
• Beyond teaching, what responsibilities would I have? 
• What benefits are available for teachers? How do those benefits change as teachers stay with the school system over time? 
• How would you describe the parent involvment at the school? 
• What advice would you give a first-year teacher at this school? 
• What curriculum does my program use? How much flexibility do teachers have with the curriculum? 
• Research the school on its social media platforms and websites. Then, ask questions about the mission statement, student activities, etc. (Interviewers will appreciate your attention to detail and the level of effort you put into preparing for the interview.)

What other questions might you add to this list? Please comment below! I'd love to hear your interview tips. Good luck!