Top Primary Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Here is a list of 20 common primary teacher interview questions and answers to help you practice and make a good impression on employers

1. Tell us about yourself.

Example: Growing up, teachers didn’t understand that I had difficulty reading. This experience taught me that each student can be successful, but might need more attention and a personalized approach. Being a teacher allows me to help children overcome these learning struggles with an inspired passion.

2. How do you handle students’ behavioral issues in the classroom?

Example: When planning my lessons, my goal is to grab each student’s attention in a way that leaves no room for distraction using engaging interactivity and participation. Should any student’s behavior affect my class, I combine rewards and firmness to persuade them to be their best so we can all enjoy the class.

3. What can you offer our school?

Example: I’m more than just a teacher. I’m also an artist and a coder with a certificate in computer-assisted learning. I’m currently learning sign language to better communicate with the hearing impaired. 

4. Why did you become a teacher?

Example: I enjoy teaching. In the past, I worked in sales and marketing. I found I enjoyed training the other salespeople and marketers. When I had my second child, I took a break and started my teaching certification. Four years later, and I am more fulfilled than I ever was in sales. 

5. What annoys you most while teaching?

Example: I try my best to design classes to engage and capture attention. Although sometimes a student chooses not to participate, which frustrates me. That said, it’s my duty to ensure that every student takes part in our class, as it’s the only way to learn. 

6. How do you assess students?

Example: Most important are the school’s assessment guidelines. However, I also understand that students have individual strengths and weaknesses, and I take that into consideration when evaluating their work.

7. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher?

Example: As a strength, I gauge each student’s personality to identify their needs, which makes it easier to give them the attention required to progress academically. Being a parent, I’m also patient, so most student behaviors don’t bother me. My biggest weakness is that although I have become technologically proficient, I prefer traditional teaching.

Learn more: How to Answer: What Are Strengths and Weaknesses?

8. How do you build relationships with parents?

Example: In my experience, active and involved parents have successful students, and I push for this. Whether it’s helping with homework or giving me feedback on the challenges a child is facing at home, parent-teacher involvement and communication enhances the child’s learning. 

9. Why did you choose to apply to our school?

Example: It has an exceptional track record of success and diversity. My previous district was too emphatic about placating rather than educating students. However, your school’s philosophy insists students take initiative when challenged at all ages. I also love that the school has fully embraced technology, especially virtual reality, which is a powerful tool for creating immersive learning experiences. 

Learn more: Answering ‘What Interests You About This Position?’

10. What traits make a teacher successful?

Example: The most important personality trait for successful teachers is patience. Kids are sometimes troublemakers, and patience helps achieve learning objectives. A good teacher exhibits discipline and is firm, yet keeps an open mind and flexes when necessary. We learn to approach each unique student differently for their own good.

11. What qualities do students find endearing in teachers?

Example: Kids seek validation, and they’re drawn to teachers who understand that they have individual strengths and challenges with learning. They click with educators who exercise patience to accommodate these challenges individually. 

12. Do you have any experience with lesson planning?

Example: Yes, my extensive experience includes using state and local core standards to cover the most learning material possible. I also try to design my lessons in a way that objectively tests each student’s understanding of the material.

13. Does disciplining help them learn?

Example: Yes, because it’s essential for maintaining order in the classroom so they hear lessons and the encouragement to do well and learn. However, I also believe that part of my job is teaching a student to understand self-discipline and acceptable behavior. I use positive feedback on their behavior in accordance to my classroom’s set of rules to keep my students accountable. 

14. Do you believe technology can play a major role in the classroom and teaching?

Example: I am a big believer in the adoption of technology in instruction, classroom collaboration, and other aspects of its role in education. One way to leverage technology is through the use of interactive multimedia lessons to deliver a more enriched learning experience. It also makes homework and projects easier, and remote teaching is easier now than ever. 

15. What is your teaching philosophy?

Example: I believe in structuring my lessons but delivering them without structure. The approach allows me to have a central theme while accommodating the abilities and needs of individual students. I also observe student responses to lessons and adjust until their responses are positive and show signs of retention.

16. What should teachers know about students to help them succeed?

Example: To teach each student effectively and ensure they achieve the school’s learning objectives, I make sure I understand their individual learning styles, challenges, and motivations. 

17. What strategies will you recommend for students struggling?

Example: I’ve researched the school and understand you have issues with class management. At my last school, I pioneered a system of positive reinforcement that rewarded the well-behaved rather than punishing inappropriate behavior. Class management improved by over 30% and boosted student engagement, resulting in over 15% performance improvement. I’m also a certified special needs educator and can provide insight into helping students with learning disabilities. 

18. Why should we hire you?

Example: My five years teaching elementary, a strong background in Montessori, and an invaluable Spanish-language fluency make me an ideal candidate for your school’s large Hispanic student population. It also matters that I love what I do. 

19. What is the importance of teaching math, English, and science in primary school?

Example: These three subjects are functional knowledge that form the foundation of everything students will learn as they grow older. It is important that they learn and apply these lessons because these combined fundamentals are the foundation of advanced concepts taught in higher education.

20. How do you handle a disruptive student?

Example: If a student is disruptive, there is usually something that triggers that behavior. Before reacting or acknowledging it, I try to find the source of the issue so we can resolve it together and without distracting their students by drawing attention to it. 

Here are ten other questions interviewers sometimes ask teaching candidates at the primary level:

21. Tell me about a time you helped a troubled student.

22. What’s your teaching style?

23. What topic do you enjoy teaching most?

24. Which subject is most difficult for you?

25. What motivates you?

26. What’s been your best moment since you started teaching?

27. What motivational strategies do you implement with students?

28. What is classroom management to you?

29. What does ethical teaching mean to you?

30. Have you ever experienced bullying in your class? How did you manage it?

Interviewing for a teaching job demands your best because the hiring committee wants to make sure you can manage the class and teach students effectively. As it does for your students with tests you assign, studying with primary teacher interview questions and answers stands you out and boost your chance of success. Discover real interview questions asked for thousands of job titles