Ask the right questions

Landing your dream teaching job isn’t just about answering questions; it's about asking the right ones, too.

Yes, as Laura Thomas notes in Edutopia, “it’s easy to think in terms of ‘What do I need to do to be an attractive candidate?’ but it may be time to consider reframing the interview process as a two-way street.”

The best way to achieve this? Ask your interviewer thoughtful questions. You’ll seem engaged and interested in the job, and you’ll also gain a clearer sense of whether you’re a good fit for it.

Top 10 Questions for Teachers

To help with this process, here are 10 important questions teachers should ask during an interview. 

1. What is the school's educational philosophy, and how does it translate into curriculum design? Understanding the school's philosophy helps you envision how you could align your teaching with the school’s curriculum and methods. 
2. How are teachers evaluated? Knowing how evaluations are conducted can set clear expectations for your career progression within the institution. 
3. What resources and technologies are available for lesson planning and classroom management? Assessing the available tools and support is crucial in understanding how you could implement effective teaching strategies as you plan and manage your lessons.  
4. Can you describe the student body's demographics as well as how the school addresses diverse learning needs? Asking about the school's approach to diversity reflects your commitment to inclusivity and your ability to adapt to individual student requirements. 
5. How does the school promote collaboration? This question will help you understand how the school encourages collaborative learning, both among departments and in classrooms. 
6. How does the school foster relationships with parents and the community at large? Knowing how the school fosters relationships with parents and the surrounding community can guide your own interactions and involvement with same. 
7. What are some of the school’s current challenges, and how are they being addressed? Learning how a school styles its problem-solving approaches can help you understand the longstanding issues you, too, might face and lets you think about how you might contribute to solutions. 
8. What opportunities are there for teachers to take on leadership roles or engage in special projects? This question helps you gauge potential opportunities for professional development. 
9. How does the school promote a work-life balance for its staff? It's important to know what measures are in place to ensure a healthy working environment so you can determine if the culture is in line with your work-life balance goals. 
10. How does the school integrate technology and innovative practices into teaching and learning? Besides illustrating how you might align your curriculum development with modern teaching practices, this question should also reveal the school’s attitude toward technology use as a daily pedagogical practice.

Make the best choices

Remember: the interview is not just a chance for the school to learn about you, but also an opportunity for you to learn about the school.

Asking the right questions can help you find the perfect fit for your teaching career.

Leverage all Praxis® resources as you move through the job market.