Research indicates that effective teachers are the most important factor in student achievement. The success of your students and school depends on your hiring decisions. In this article, we’ll share five interview questions that will ensure you’re hiring effective teachers for your school.
The Research
In Tennessee, students who spent three years with a highly effective teacher significantly outperformed comparable students on a math test. These students performed in the 96th percentile on average. Meanwhile, the other students averaged in the 44th percentile.
Data shows that just one year with a highly effective teacher makes a difference. It puts a student ahead of his/her peers for several years. However, the same is true for ineffective teachers. It can take a student three years to recover from one year with an ineffective teacher.
The research is clear. The most significant factor in school improvement and student achievement is teacher quality. So, how can you find the most effective teachers for your school?
What Is an Effective Teacher?
What is effective teaching, and what are the qualities of excellent teachers? The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) has conducted a lot of research on the subject and has found that most successful teachers share certain traits. When it comes to understanding effective teaching, the definition can vary from classroom to classroom. However, the ASCD has found some of the best teacher qualities include:
- Communication/verbal ability — Educators need to be able to communicate effectively to all learners, so they understand the expectations.
- Coursework in education and pedagogy — A good understanding of proper teaching techniques and methodologies is important for achieving the best results.
- Strong content knowledge — If teachers want to improve their students’ skills, they need to have a firm grasp on the concepts themselves.
- Lesson planning abilities — A well-constructed lesson plan helps keep classes organized and enhances retention of knowledge.
- Classroom management and organization — Teachers need to be able to keep their classrooms orderly and calm to create the best possible learning environment, using student information systems and communication apps to assist them.
- Engaging instruction — If students tune out during a lesson, their chances of learning anything plunge.
- Knowledge of instructional techniques (cooperative and project-based learning, questioning, differentiated instruction) — Not all students learn the same way, and educators have to be able to adapt their strategies to reach each and every one.
- Ability to monitor student progress — Without a clear idea of how well each student is performing, it’s impossible for teachers to adjust their approaches and help those who may be struggling.
- Enthusiasm — Teaching is an incredibly difficult but rewarding job, and educators need to have a lot of enthusiasm for their work to help them power through the challenges.
- Caring — Simply put, teachers who don’t care about their students’ success do them a disservice.
- Fairness and respect — By treating students fairly and with empathy, teachers can create stronger relationships that lead to better academic results.
- Sense of humor — Being able to see the lighter side of their daily struggles helps teachers from becoming burned-out and keeps them focused.
- Reflective practice — Teachers should have the ability to look back objectively and assess their own performance as honestly as possible so they can make improvements.
Effective teachers have in-depth knowledge of pedagogy, lesson-planning, and instructional techniques. In addition, they’re knowledgeable in their content area.
Hiring effective teachers also means hiring educators who can interact properly with students. Teachers who can form personal connections with their students motivate them to learn. Students prefer teachers who are caring, fair, respectful, and dedicated with a sense of humor.
Hiring Effective Teachers: 8 Questions to Ask
With these criteria in mind, here are five questions to ask teachers during interviews.
1. Why did you want to become a teacher?
This question can help you gauge the candidate’s enthusiasm for the job. The ideal candidate will discuss teaching with enthusiasm and passion. It’s also a good sign if they mention students in their response.
2. What’s your process for planning lessons?
A good lesson plan begins with learning objectives. What should students have learned by the end of the lesson? How will the teacher know that they have learned it?
Next, the teacher should determine activities and strategies that will help students grasp the information. This may begin with direct instruction and modeling, then group work, followed by individual practice. The teacher should also consider how to keep students engaged.
A high-quality candidate should thoroughly and purposefully plan. Look for answers that mention learning objectives, assessment of these objectives, and engagement. What instructional strategies does the candidate mention?
3. Describe a successful lesson that you’ve taught.
Ideally, the candidate will describe a creative, engaging, and student-centered lesson. They should also mention how they knew that the lesson was successful. How did they monitor student progress and achievement?
If the candidate does not mention monitoring, ask a follow-up question: “How do you monitor student success?” or, “What was the objective of the lesson? How did you know that students had achieved this objective?”
4. Describe a lesson that was less successful.
Here, you’re evaluating the candidate’s reflective practice. An effective teacher recognizes when a lesson has gone poorly. The teacher then considers what didn’t work, why it didn’t work, and how they can improve in the future.
A strong candidate will answer this question honestly. They will also demonstrate the ability to reflect. Do they mention why the lesson went poorly? Do they describe changes they made moving forward?
5. Describe a time you felt challenged by a student. How did you handle the situation?
Behavioral interview questions are particularly helpful in hiring effective teachers. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Ask questions that help you understand how the teacher plans, implements, and assesses lessons. Additionally, seek information about their classroom management and how they handle challenges with students, parents, and colleagues.
In this case, see if the candidate treats students fairly and respectfully. How do they respond under pressure? Do they take issues with students personally, or do they handle them professionally?
6. How would you describe your collaborations with other teachers?
One of the best questions to ask teachers to get to know them is how they approach collaborating with colleagues. Creating a positive, supportive culture within your faculty is incredibly important for providing the best learning environment. The teachers you hire should be able to work together effectively as a team.
7. How would you approach preparing eighth-grade students for standardized testing?
Assessments are critical for students preparing to enter high school, and teachers should have a good strategy for helping them get ready. In addition to helping them learn the knowledge they need to do well on the test, teachers also need to spend time going over good study habits, proper test-taking behaviors, and stress management. With a combination of subject mastery and good preparation, eighth-graders can be more confident and capable when it comes to standardized tests.
8. How do you involve parents in the learning process?
One of the most important questions to ask new teachers is how they feel about keeping families involved. The attitude parents and caregivers have at home with regard to schoolwork can have a tremendous impact on a student’s academic success. Educators who understand that and actively involve families in children’s learning increase their classes’ ability to learn and help set them up for bigger and better things in the future.
Final Thoughts: Hiring Effective Teachers
Hiring effective teachers benefits your school and your students more than any other factor. By knowing the right questions to ask educators, you can ensure you bring the right candidates on board.
Look for teachers who are passionate, knowledgeable, and caring. Fill your school with the best of the best, and you’re sure to see positive results.
