You’re sitting in a teaching interview.Question after questioncomes your way, and you nail it! You’re feeling good about things. Then, you get to the end of the interview and the interviewer asks if you have any questions for them. Uh-oh! What should you say?
The following 25 questions will help you get a strong sense of the school’s environment, culture, and operations—and will help you decide if it’s a good fit for you.
Keep in mind, of course, that you don’t want to bombard the interviewers withallof these questions. However, choose a few that are the most compelling or important to you. Some will likely come up organically as the conversation flows. If the question doesn’t get answered in the course of the interview, make sure to ask it at the end. You can also send a couple follow-up questions in your thank-you email after the interview.
＃1有一个课程吗？
您应该在面试中确定最重要的事情之一是您在课程中的自由。答案也会影响您必须创建的原始内容。你会被给予特定的文本书籍，教学大纲，rubrics等吗？通常有一些标准课程要坚持，但您对所教的内容有多少投入？
#2 Can I incorporate my own materials and lesson ideas in the classroom?
Similar to #1, make sure to ask about what you're allowed to incorporate into your teaching. Can you show movies, for example? Teach books that haven’t necessarily been taught before? Can you conduct a science experiment that involves going outside, or do you have to stay in the lab?
#3 What resources does the school provide to help teachers?
Knowing what you’ll be provided will help give you a sense of the overall learning environment and how well you’ll be able to do your job. Will you be given art supplies? Are basic office supplies (file folders, staplers, white board markers) provided or will you have to supply your own? What will students have to purchase versus what will be supplied?
#4 What technology is available in a standard classroom for teachers to use?
This is a big one, since so much communication and learning takes place digitally now. Will you be issued a classroom computer or personal laptop? Are classrooms equipped with Smart Boards? Will you have a working projector to show videos or demonstrate work?
#5 Do you have ateacher-mentor program对于新老师？
作为一个新老师在一个特定的学校或district (or a new teacher entirely!) can be incredibly overwhelming. What kinds of structural support systems are in place to help support new teachers? Is there an open-door policy with the principal? Is there an academic committee to help ease your transition into the community? Is there a specific colleague you can go to to receive mentorship? You won’t always know the answers as a new teacher, but if you know you’ll be supported in finding them, you’ll fare much better.
#6 What opportunities do you offer for professional development and growth?
为了保持认证，良好地与您所在国家的教育委员会，您需要参加专业发展。专业发展对于保持最新的教学趋势以及继续作为教育者的发展方面是重要的。这所学校会为您提供专业的发展机会（例如会议，研讨会）吗？如果有必要，他们会资助这些机会和/或为他们提供交通吗？是校园内提供的任何专业发展机会吗？
#7 What kinds of staff development opportunities do you offer?
A positive working relationship with theentirefaculty and staff is paramount to creating an ideal working and learning environment for all. How does the administration foster and support the staff and its relationship with the faculty?
#8 Do you encourage teachers to pursue agraduate degree？学区如何支持追求研究生学位的教师？
If you’re considering continuing your education while teaching, this is an important one to ask. Some schools offer financial assistance to teachers furthering their education and others offer a pay increase for additional degrees.
#9 How often are faculty/staff meetings held?
众所周知，教师的职责和责任比课堂更远。You’ll certainly be required to attend faculty/staff meetings, but it’s a good idea to get a sense of how often these occur and if/what you’ll be expected to contribute at them (e.g. an overall update on your department, issues concerning students, etc.)
#10 How does the administration support teachers to fulfill the mission statement of the school?
This is a fantastic question if your school is particularly mission-driven and if the mission has already been discussed in your interview. In what practical ways does the administration show up for the faculty when it comes tocore valuesof the school? (This question is also a good way to find out what the core values of a schoolare).
#11How many teachers stay long enough to becometenuredat the school?
Faculty retention and attrition will give you a strong sense of the morale of the school community and how much people like working there. If there is tenure offered, how long does it take to achieve and what other criteria must be met? How many current teachers are tenured?
#12 What is the makeup of the student body?
Knowing a bit more about the student body is super important because the bulk of your time will be spent with students! What is the demographic breakdown? How do the academics and test scores of this study body stack up compared to national averages? You can also lean in and ask what the administration does to foster and celebrate diversity at the school.
#13 What are your favorite things about the school and/or district? Why do you like working here?
Find out directly from the source what it's like to work at a particular school. Hearing what current employees love about their jobs will give you a very strong sense of whether or not you would enjoy working there.
＃14有没有学校正在解决今年的主要问题？今年该地区的至关重要问题是什么？
这是一个bigie。它可能会有点恐吓，但作为潜在的老师，您有权了解学校和/或地区的挑战或问题。有预算问题吗？以前招聘冻结？罢工？他们未来最大的目标是什么？（例如，实施更严格的安全措施，提高校园的技术资源，建造新翅膀等）
#15 How does the school district stand out from other districts in the state?
Give the interviewers a chance to brag about the school. What makes this school shine? Do the students perform higher on the ACT and SAT compared to state averages? Does the school have a particularly robust art or STEM curriculum in place? Has the school been issued any awards?
#16 Where do you want this school (or district) to be in 5 years?
This question is great because it shows that you have vested interest in the long-term success of the school, and you'll get insight into the administration’s concern for the school’s evolution and wellbeing. It will also give you a sense of what life will be like down the line for you if you stick around, which is super important.
#17 What are the average class sizes in the school? What is the teacher-student ratio?
这可能是在确定您的日子实际上以及如何实现指令时最重要的问题。你在一个班级时期的教学中有多少学生？您是否可以选择合作课程？是任何课程组合年级吗？
#18 What is the school’s perspective on discipline?
Knowing a bit more about the school’s rules and disciplinary processes will give you glimpse into school values and culture. Do teachers have any say about classroom rules (e.g. eating or using cell phones in class) or are there school-wide policies to adhere to?
#19 How involved are parents in the school?
Every teacher knows that parents or guardians are a huge part of the job, but to what extent are parents involved at this particular school? Are you encouraged or required to reach out to parents regularly? Are there many parent volunteers? Do most parents attend parent-teacher conferences?
＃20有巨大的社区支持教育吗？
整体社区如何（例如，学校位于镇上）支持学校？例如，社区成员是否参加足球比赛或学校播放？他们当地社区的学生如何参与？教师是否通过实地考察或志愿者工作，从事社区中的学生？
#21 What is the school and district policy on homework?
One thing is for sure: homework policies vary dramatically school by school (and sometimes even teacher by teacher). Will you get to choose how much homework to assign (or not), or will you need to adhere to set policies about how much to give nightly or weekly? To this point, you can also delve a little deeper into grading policies if you’d like.
#22 What extracurricular activities are available for teacher participation?
Will you have the opportunity to interact with your students outside of the classroom through clubs, sports, and other activities? For example, could you serve as an academic advisor for the school newspaper? Coach soccer? Can you bring your own ideas for extracurricular activities to the table? Also, some schools provide financial compensation for this extra work; how does this particular school handle outside-of-the-classroom student support?
#23 Are there any extra assignments that teachers are required to do, such as lunch duty?
What will you be required to do beyond the classroom? It’s a good idea to find out about office hours, lunch duty, after school tutoring, etc. It’s no secret that teachers are incredibly busy, so how will you be filling your days at this particular school?
#24 What qualities, skills, and personality would your ideal candidate have?
职位发布将有一个理想候选人的标准列表，但你可以比这更深的探测器。当然，您可能需要教学证书和两年的教学高中数学最低，但是什么样的personis this school looking to hire? Do you have other skills that could strengthen your role as a teacher in this particular environment?
#25 What are your expectations for a teacher who wants to be a long-term employee?
Hiring boards love to see candidates who demonstrate an interest in setting up post at a school for the long-haul. Conversely, it’s important for you to know how your position may grow and change over time. Will you possibly move departments? Change grade levels or subjects? Be promoted to department chair? What does this position look like, potentially, down the line?
Final thoughts
请记住，在一天结束时，您不只是试图留下面试委员会并将工作留下。你想确保这是正确的学术适合youtoo. Teaching is a calling, and you’ll serve your students best if you’re in the right place!