Question Overview: You will want to ask this question to get a sense of the interviewee's motivations. Are they looking for a temporary job or do they have a long-term interest in education? You will also want to get an idea of how much they know about your school and the community.
Sample Answer: I have always been interested in education and want to help out in any way I can. I have been a substitute teacher for three years and have enjoyed it every time. I am looking for a long-term position, but I am willing to take any job that comes my way.
Question Overview: Substitute teachers can be called to fill in at the last minute. You will want a candidate who is able to read a plan quickly and understand the curriculum. Use this question to determine how well they can adapt to new situations and how well they can read and comprehend plans.
Sample Answer: I would look through the plan and see if there were any notes from the main teacher. If they left me a lesson plan, I would go through it and make sure I understood the curriculum. If not, I would ask the administrators at the school for help.
Question Overview: This is a general question that you can use to get a feel for the candidate's personality and how they will interact with your students. You can also use it to determine how well they can adapt to different situations and how well they can work with others.
Sample Answer: I am a very outgoing person who loves to be around people. I have been a substitute teacher for five years and have worked in several different schools. I am very adaptable and can work with a variety of students.
Question Overview: Substitute teachers might be called to a school on short notice and have to fill in for a teacher who is out sick or on vacation. You want to make sure that the potential hire is able to handle these situations and will not panic if they arrive to an empty classroom.
Sample Answer: If I arrive to a classroom and there are no lesson plans, I will ask the students what they have been learning. I can read and understand a variety of subjects. I can then use this information to create a lesson plan for the day.
Question Overview: You will want to know how a potential substitute teacher would handle a disruptive student. You can use this question to determine how well they can think on their feet and how well they can handle a variety of situations.
Sample Answer: I always try to get the student to focus on the lesson at hand. If that doesn't work, I will ask them to step out of the classroom for a few minutes. If that doesn't work, I will ask them to leave the classroom for the rest of the day.
Question Overview: You will want to ask a potential substitute teacher what they do with younger students. You can use this question to determine how well they know the age group and what they do to keep them engaged.
Sample Answer: I would probably start with a few songs and rhymes with the toddler. I would then move on to some basic games that are appropriate for their age. I would probably use some of the same activities with the preschoolers, but I would also try to incorporate some of their favorite books into the lesson plan.
Question Overview: Public speaking can be a big part of the job of a substitute teacher. You will want someone who is at least confident in their ability to speak in front of a group. Use this question to determine how well the interviewee can present themselves and how well they can speak to a variety of people.
Sample Answer: I have been in front of groups since I was young. I have always been able to talk with confidence and clarity. I have never had any trouble speaking in front of others.
Question Overview: Engaging students in class can be a challenge for substitute teachers. You want to make sure that your potential hire is able to keep the students' attention and get them involved in the lesson. Use this question to determine the interviewee's ability to engage students and their ability to think on their feet.
Sample Answer: I always start by asking the students what they know about the subject. From there, I can gauge their level of understanding and adapt my lesson plan accordingly. I will also ask them what they want to learn about the subject and incorporate that into the lesson plan.
Question Overview: You will want to know what the potential substitute teacher's goals are for the position. You can use this question to determine if they are looking for a long-term job or just a short-term one.
Sample Answer: I am looking for a long-term position that will allow me to work with a variety of students and teachers. I want to be able to learn from the other educators and help students learn in my time here.
Question Overview: A substitute teacher will need to be able to communicate effectively with the school's administration and other staff members. You can use this question to determine how well the interviewee can communicate with others and how they handle problems.
Sample Answer: I would speak with the main teacher or the principal. If they are unavailable, I would ask another teacher or administrator for help. I would try to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
Question Overview: You will want to know the potential candidate's availability for work. You will also want to know if they are available for the entire school year or just a few months.
Sample Answer: I am available to work Monday through Friday. I am not available during the summer months.
Question Overview: You want to hire a substitute teacher who is passionate about working with children. This will help them stay motivated and engaged with the students even when they are not the main teacher.
Sample Answer: I love working with children because they are so eager to learn. I get to see them grow and develop in their own way. I love seeing them be excited about learning new things.
Question Overview: Substitute teachers need to be able to manage a variety of situations. You can use this question to determine the interviewee's ability to handle a classroom after recess.
Sample Answer: I always try to make sure that my students are ready to learn when we start class. I will ask them what they did at recess and if they had any trouble with their friends or teachers. I will also ask them if they have any questions about the lesson plan or what we have done so far.
Question Overview: Age can be a factor in your hiring decision. If you are looking for a substitute teacher who will be working with younger students, you will want to make sure they are at least 18 years old. You can use this question to determine the potential candidate's age and how well they can relate to students of different ages.
Sample Answer: I am currently 22 years old and have been working with children for five years. I have experience with students of all ages and have had no problems adapting to their needs.
Question Overview: Substitute teachers might be called to fill in for a class that is already in progress. You will want to know how they handle a situation where a student is being aggressive or disruptive. Use this question to determine the potential hire's ability to handle a variety of situations, their communication skills and their ability to think quickly on their feet.
Sample Answer: I would first try to calm the student down and talk them through the situation. If that didn't work, I would try to get them away from the other student and try to get them to focus on something else.
Question Overview: You will want a substitute teacher who is comfortable with the students they will be working with. You can use this question to determine how well the interviewee interacts with children and how they might handle the job.
Sample Answer: I have been working with kids for the past five years. I have worked in a variety of environments, including day care centers and elementary schools. I have experience with a wide range of ages and abilities.
Question Overview: Substitute teachers are called to fill in for the regular educator when they are unable to teach. You will want a candidate who has a basic understanding of how to fill in for the regular teacher and how to handle the students.
Sample Answer: Substitute teachers are called in when the main teacher is unable to teach. I make sure I know what the curriculum is and where the students are in their learning. I can read and comprehend a variety of subjects.
Question Overview: You want to know what motivates your potential substitute teacher. You can use this question to determine if they are looking for a long-term position or just a short-term gig.
Sample Answer: I am looking for a long-term position as a substitute teacher. I have been working as a substitute for the past three years and have enjoyed the experience. I am looking for a school that will give me the opportunity to work with students and teachers on a regular basis.
Question Overview: A substitute teacher may be called to a school on short notice and find that there is no lesson plan available for them. You will want to know how they will handle this situation and what they will do to keep the students engaged.
Sample Answer: If I arrive at a school and there is no lesson plan, I will ask the administrators for any information they have about the day's curriculum. I will then use that information to create a lesson plan for myself. I will also ask the students what they have learned in the past and what they are interested in learning.
Question Overview: Substitute teachers should have some experience in the classroom. You will want to know what kind of experience they have and how long they have been doing this.
Sample Answer: I have been a substitute teacher for five years. I started out as a substitute for a few years and then was hired on as a part-time teacher at a local elementary school.