Did you know that many school leaders form an impression of a candidate within the first 10 minutes of a teaching interview? How you present your ideas early on can make a lasting difference.

You might feel confident when teaching students, but talking about your teaching style, behaviour management strategies, or professional development goals in an interview is a different kind of challenge.

Instead of showing your skills through action, you’re being asked to explain and reflect on what you do and why.

This article walks you through five of the most common teacher interview questions. You’ll learn how to prepare thoughtful responses, use specific examples from your experience, and align your answers with a school’s mission.

These teaching interview tips will help you feel prepared, focused, and ready to put your best foot forward.

Q1: How Do You Manage Student Behaviour and Create a Positive Learning Environment?

According to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), positive behaviour support and classroom climate are two of the top priorities school leaders assess when hiring new teachers.

This question gives you the chance to show how you run your classroom with intention. Interview panels want to hear how you build trust, prevent problems, and guide students back on track when needed.

The focus is on how you grow a respectful, engaging learning environment that helps all students thrive.

• Start with structure. I teach behaviour expectations the same way I teach content, using modelling, repetition, and clarity. A routine-based approach gives students confidence and reduces anxiety.
• Relationships are everything. I get to know my students early in the term so I can understand their motivators and challenges. Once that connection is in place, behaviour guidance becomes far more effective.
• My responses are fair and predictable. I use a tiered response system that lets students see the outcomes of their choices.
• I design for engagement. My lessons involve movement, group tasks, and clear transitions to help students stay focused and involved.
• I create a safe space. I use inclusive language, affirm effort, and build in reflection so that every student feels respected and supported.

In a teaching interview, highlight how your classroom management strategy supports learning. Be ready to share a specific example of when your approach helped a student reset or succeed.

Q2: How Do You Plan and Deliver Effective Lessons?

Struggling to explain how your lessons succeed? You’re not alone. Many teachers find it easier to teach than to describe why their lessons work during a teaching interview.

This question reveals how well you understand planning, delivery, and reflection. Interview panels look for intentionality, clarity, and your ability to adjust when students need more support or challenge.

They’re also interested in how you structure learning to ensure every student makes progress.

• I begin every lesson with a clear learning goal. I ask myself what I want students to know or do by the end of the session. That guides my lesson planning from the activities I design to the way I check for understanding.
• My delivery adapts to student response. If students seem stuck, I pause, clarify, or use a new strategy. I rely on formative feedback to make those in-the-moment decisions.
• I balance direct teaching with student-led exploration. For example, when teaching energy transfer, I used simulations and group investigations. Students remained focused and curious throughout.
• I use varied assessment tools. Exit slips, concept maps, and mini whiteboards help me gauge progress.
• I reflect after each lesson. I ask, “What worked? What didn’t?” and use that to refine my next steps.

Bring a few examples to the interview. Choose a lesson where you adapted your approach to support student learning.

That shows reflective practice and readiness for the demands of a new teaching position. For more guidance on what schools look for during lesson demos and planning, read this article on teacher recruitment tips.

Q3: What Is Your Teaching Philosophy, and How Does It Guide Your Practice?

What do you believe about how students learn best, and how do you put that belief into action?

Teaching interviews often include this question because it reveals how well you understand your role beyond routines and curriculum.

A strong teaching philosophy ties together your approach to student learning, classroom culture, and lesson planning. Interviewers want to know how your mindset shapes your decisions.

• My teaching philosophy focuses on student-centred learning. I encourage students to take ownership of their progress by offering choices, encouraging reflection, and allowing space for creativity. This helps students develop confidence and intrinsic motivation, not just content knowledge.
• Relevance drives engagement. I build lessons around real-world connections. This helps students understand how their learning applies beyond the classroom, which improves both interest and retention.
• Flexibility is essential. I use differentiated tasks and adjust pacing depending on what students need that day.
• I view the classroom as a community. I set shared norms and model respect, creating a safe learning environment where students feel seen and valued.
• Teaching means learning, too. I reflect on every unit and adjust my teaching methods based on what my students show me.

If you’re asked to explain your teaching philosophy, avoid generic statements. Be specific about how your values help your practice, and bring in a few examples that show the philosophy in action.

Q4: How Do You Support a Diverse Range of Learners?

No two students in your classroom will learn the same way, and interview panels expect you to plan for that.

When schools ask this question, they want to hear how you include everyone. This goes beyond modifications. It’s about how you think, how you plan, and how you work with support staff to create a classroom where all learners can thrive.

• I start with inclusive planning. I prepare lessons with different access points, whether it’s through visual aids, simplified instructions, or open-ended options. This approach supports both struggling and high-achieving students without separating them.
• Feedback shapes my next step. I use formative checks to spot where students need extra scaffolding or challenge. These small checkpoints guide my pacing and support decisions throughout the week.
• I work closely with learning support teams. This includes aides, speech therapists, and resource teachers. I see them as collaborators, not extras.
• The classroom reflects student identity. I include texts, examples, and discussions that honour the cultures and backgrounds of my students.
• Belonging drives engagement. When students feel included, their confidence and willingness to try increase, even in challenging tasks.

In your teaching interview, use a few specific examples that show how you planned for diverse needs or adjusted on the spot. Schools want evidence that you can support students of all abilities, not just speak about it in theory.

Q5: How Are You Growing Professionally?

According to the Grattan Institute, high-impact professional learning is one of the strongest predictors of teacher effectiveness.

This question is your chance to show that your growth doesn’t stop once the school bell rings. Schools want to hear that you stay up to date, reflect often, and seek out opportunities to improve your practice.

• I reflect regularly. After each unit, I look at student progress, feedback, and outcomes to decide what I’ll adjust next time. That reflection helps me understand what had the biggest impact and where I can go deeper.
• I invest in professional development opportunities. I take part in workshops and webinars on topics like behaviour management, literacy strategies, and trauma-aware practice. I apply what I learn in small ways first, then expand as I see results.
• I collaborate with peers. I learn from other teachers by sharing ideas, team planning, and asking for feedback.
• I explore current education trends. I follow research from AITSL and keep track of evolving policies in curriculum and assessment.
• I track how growth impacts students. I ask myself, “Did what I learned help them?” That keeps my development focused and grounded in classroom impact.

Use this question to show that you’re not just committed to improving your skills but also to helping students achieve their goals. You might also mention how this mindset supports your long-term goals as an educator.

How to Prepare for a Teacher Interview and Stand Out from Other Candidates

Let’s break this into steps that help you prepare confidently for your next teaching interview.

Preparation is more than rehearsing your answers. It involves knowing the school, anticipating what you’ll be asked, and reflecting on your teaching experience. That clarity helps you answer authentically, not just correctly.

• Step 1: Research the school. Look into their mission, teaching priorities, and learning culture. If possible, review recent news articles or school updates. That shows genuine interest.
• Step 2: Match your answers to their needs. Identify where your teaching methods and experience support their goals. This makes your responses more relevant and specific to their context.
• Step 3: Practise with purpose. Use the STAR method to structure your examples and rehearse aloud.
• Step 4: Prepare your questions. Bring thoughtful questions about mentoring, classroom support, or curriculum design.
• Step 5: Get your logistics sorted. Dress neatly, review your résumé, and bring a few printed materials if allowed.

Preparation tells the panel that you’re intentional, organised, and serious about the role. Don’t over-rehearse. Focus on clarity, connection, and confidence.

Common Teacher Interview Questions and How to Answer Them with Confidence

Wondering what questions come up most often in teaching job interviews?

While interview styles vary, many questions focus on how you manage your classroom, deliver learning, and work with others. It helps to prepare flexible answers that draw from your experience and reflect your values.

Here are a few examples you’re likely to face:

• “How do you differentiate your teaching?” Talk about how you meet the needs of students at different levels.
• “Describe a successful lesson you’ve taught.” Focus on the objective, delivery, and student response.
• “How do you manage behaviour?” Refer to your systems, routines, and how you build trust.
• “How do you work with parents?” Share how you communicate and involve families in learning.
• “What role does data play in your planning?” Show how you use results to inform instruction.

Anticipating questions helps you stay calm and focused. Strong responses come from lived experience, not memorised phrases.

Final Thought

Interviews can feel like the most complicated part of the job application process. It’s tough when you know you’re a strong teacher but don’t know how to show it.

The best way to stand out is to reflect on what you already do well and prepare to speak about it clearly and confidently. Focus on aligning your answers with what schools value most: strong student outcomes, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships.

Want to explore more ideas for building a meaningful career in education? Take a look at Teaching Career Insights in Australia. You’ll find advice for current teachers, new graduates, and anyone planning their next step.