25 1st Grade Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re hoping to land a job as a 1st grade teacher, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some common interview questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample questions and answers that will help you shine in your interview.

1. Are you familiar with the state curriculum for 1st grade?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are familiar with the state standards for 1st grade. This is because many schools have specific curriculum requirements that teachers must follow, and it’s important that they understand these guidelines. In your answer, try to show that you know what the state requires of 1st grade students in terms of learning objectives.

Example: “I am very familiar with the state curriculum for 1st grade. I actually used the same curriculum when teaching at my last school. The curriculum outlines all of the skills and concepts that students should learn by the end of the year. For example, students should be able to read simple words and sentences by the end of the year. They should also be able to write their names and recognize letters.”

2. What are some strategies you use to engage your students in learning?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. You can answer this question by describing a few strategies that have worked well for you in the past, such as encouraging students to work together or providing them with hands-on activities.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to engage my students is through fun projects. For example, last year I taught a lesson on animals and had each student create their own zoo exhibit using construction paper, markers and other supplies. They all loved getting to be creative and show off their work at the end of the day.”

3. How would you handle a student who is disruptive in class?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your classroom management skills. They want to see that you can handle challenging situations and keep students focused on learning. In your answer, explain how you would address the disruptive student and get them back on task. Share a specific example of when you handled a similar situation in the past.

Example: “I have had students who were distracted or disruptive at times. When I notice a student is disrupting others, I try to speak with them privately about their behavior. If they are distracting other students from learning, I will remove them from the class for a short time. This gives me an opportunity to work one-on-one with the student and help them learn how to focus better. I also give them extra attention during independent activities.”

4. What is your teaching philosophy?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your teaching style and how you plan lessons. Your answer should include a few key aspects of your philosophy, such as what you believe students need to learn in first grade and how you help them achieve those goals.

Example: “I believe that every child has unique learning needs, so I create individualized lesson plans for each student. For example, if one student struggles with reading comprehension, I’ll spend more time on that skill during our reading unit. I also think it’s important to teach children social skills like sharing and listening, so I make sure to incorporate these concepts into my daily lessons.”

5. Provide an example of a time when you had to be creative in order to solve a problem in the classroom.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the classroom. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you used creativity to solve a problem that benefited students or helped you achieve your goals as a teacher.

Example: “In my first year of teaching, I had a student who was having trouble with reading comprehension. He would read aloud well but didn’t understand what he was reading. After talking with his parents, we decided that he needed extra help after school. So, I created a program where he could work on his reading comprehension skills for 30 minutes each day after school. This allowed him to get the extra help he needed while also allowing me to focus on other parts of the curriculum during class.”

6. If a student asks you a question, how quickly do you expect them to wait for your response?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you prioritize your time and manage the classroom. They want to know that you can keep students engaged while also ensuring they receive individual attention when needed. In your answer, explain what steps you take to ensure all students get the help they need in a timely manner.

Example: “I expect my students to wait no more than five minutes for me to respond to their questions or concerns. I try to make sure I am always available to address any questions or concerns as soon as possible so that I don’t leave them waiting too long. If I’m busy with another student or task, I will let them know that I’ll be with them shortly and then return to them as quickly as possible.”

7. What would you do if you were planning a field trip but some of your students’ parents couldn’t provide transportation?

Field trips are an important part of a student’s education, and the interviewer wants to make sure you have a plan for handling situations like this. Your answer should show that you understand how field trips benefit students and that you can work with parents to find solutions.

Example: “I would first ask all of my students if they know anyone who could provide transportation. If not, I would contact their parents to see if there is any way they can get their child to the event. For example, maybe they can take off work or arrange for someone else to watch their other children. If no solution presents itself, I would try to find another location where we could hold the trip so it wouldn’t be as far away from home.”

8. How well do you know the community around your school?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience in the community. They want to know if you have any connections with local businesses or organizations that can help support your classroom. Use examples from your past experience to explain how you’ve used these connections to benefit students and their learning.

Example: “In my last position, I was a part of the PTA at my school. We organized several fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for new supplies and materials for our classrooms. One of our biggest projects was organizing a bake sale fundraiser where we raised over $1,000 for our technology program. This event helped us purchase tablets for each student in the class.”

9. Do you have any experience working with special needs students?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with students who need extra attention. They want to know that you can handle a classroom of diverse learners and provide them with the support they need to succeed in your class. In your answer, share any experiences you’ve had working with special needs students and how you helped them learn and grow.

Example: “I worked as a substitute teacher for two years at an elementary school where I taught all subjects to a mixed-ability class. One day, one of my colleagues was out sick, so I subbed for her class. She had a student with autism, and she asked me to cover his lessons while she recovered. I was nervous about it at first, but I did some research on autism before teaching his lesson. I used visuals and repetition to help him understand what we were learning. He seemed to enjoy the lesson, and he even made a few comments during our discussion.”

10. When planning lessons, how do you decide what concepts to teach in each class?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. When answering, it can be helpful to explain the steps you take when planning a lesson plan and what factors influence your decisions.

Example: “When I begin creating my lesson plans for each class, I first look at the state standards that we are expected to teach. Next, I review the previous week’s assignments and see which concepts students struggled with or need more practice on. Then, I create a list of all the concepts I want to cover in the upcoming week and decide which ones will work best for the day’s schedule.”

11. We want our 1st grade teachers to be positive role models for our students. How do you set an example for your students by the way you act?

Interviewers want to know how you plan to positively influence your students. They are looking for ways that you can help the children in their school develop into well-rounded individuals who have a positive outlook on life. In your answer, share an example of how you set a good example for your students and encourage them to do the same.

Example: “I believe it is important to be a role model for my students. I always try to act with kindness and respect toward others. For instance, when I am speaking to one of my students, I make sure to speak calmly and kindly so they feel comfortable asking me questions. I also show up to work early every day and stay late if needed. This shows my students that hard work pays off and that I care about my job.”

12. Describe your communication style when you’re teaching a class.

Interviewers want to know how you’ll communicate with their students and parents. They also want to know if your communication style is similar to the school’s current methods of communication.

Example: “I believe that it’s important for my students to feel comfortable communicating with me about any questions they have or concerns they may have. I always make sure to answer all emails from parents within 24 hours, and I hold weekly parent-teacher conferences where I discuss each student’s progress and address any issues they may be having. I find this helps build a strong rapport between myself and the parents so we can work together to help their child succeed in class.”

13. What makes you qualified to teach 1st grade?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to teaching 1st grade. It’s important to highlight any relevant experience you have, but if you don’t have much experience, you can talk about what makes you qualified to teach this age group.

Example: “I think my passion for education and children makes me qualified to teach 1st grade. I’ve been working with kids since I was in high school, where I volunteered at an after-school program. I also worked as a camp counselor during college, which gave me valuable experience working with younger kids. I love seeing their excitement when they learn something new.”

14. Which teaching methods do you prefer to use?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and preferences. They want to know if you will be a good fit for their school’s culture. When answering, think about which methods have been most successful in the past. Explain why these methods work well for you.

Example: “I find that hands-on learning is usually the best way to engage students. I like to use manipulatives when teaching math concepts so my students can see how they apply to real life. For example, when teaching fractions, I might show them different ways to divide food among people at a restaurant. This helps them remember the concept better because it relates to something familiar.”

15. What do you think is the most important skill for 1st grade students to learn early on?

This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of your teaching philosophy. It also helps them understand what you think is most important for students to learn at this age. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something that will benefit the student throughout their academic career.

Example: “I believe one of the most important skills 1st grade students should learn early on is how to read and write effectively. This skill can help them in all subjects later on in school, as well as prepare them for future schooling and work. I make sure to teach my students these skills through fun activities and games so they don’t even realize they’re learning.”

16. How often do you update your lesson plans?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your teaching style and how you plan for the day. Your answer should show that you are organized, prepared and able to adapt to changes in a classroom setting.

Example: “I update my lesson plans every week before the start of the school year. I use these plans as a reference throughout the year when I need to make adjustments or add new activities to my curriculum. In addition to updating my lesson plans weekly, I also create monthly and seasonal lesson plans so I can prepare ahead of time for upcoming events like field trips or holidays.”

17. There is a snow day and all of your students are scheduled to come to your class. What do you do?

This question is a great way to see how you would handle an unexpected situation. Snow days are common in many areas, so it’s important for the interviewer to know that you have a plan in place if this were to happen during your time as their teacher.

Example: “I would first make sure all of my students’ parents knew about the snow day and what we planned to do. I would then call each parent to let them know what our plans were and ask if they had any questions or concerns. If there was no school, I would spend the morning with my students doing fun activities and crafts. We would also play games and read books together.”

18. How do you handle challenging student behaviors?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations and how you might handle them in their school. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped a student overcome a challenging behavior.

Example: “I have had students who have had a hard time focusing in class, and I find that the best way to help them is to give them a task that they can complete while I’m teaching. For example, I might ask them to take notes on a certain topic or write down a certain number of facts that I mention. This helps them focus on the lesson and gives them a task to complete, which can help them stay on task and learn the material.”

19. What is your approach when it comes to assessing and grading students in 1st grade?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your grading policies and procedures. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your grading scale and how you use it to assess student progress. You can also mention any specific grading policies you have in place.

Example: “I use a grading scale that is based on the state’s standards. I find this scale to be helpful because it allows me to assess students on a consistent basis. I also find that this scale helps me identify students who may need extra help. I have a policy in place where I meet with students and their parents to discuss their progress and any concerns they may have.”

20. Are there any areas that you feel need improvement when teaching 1st grade?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your teaching style and how you handle challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill you’re working on improving and how you’re doing so.

Example: “I feel that I could improve my ability to communicate with parents. I’m currently taking a course on how to communicate with parents and families, and I’m finding it very helpful. I’m learning how to write more effective emails and how to speak to parents in a way that they understand. I’m also learning how to communicate with parents who speak a different language.”

21. Describe a time when you had to work with a team of teachers to develop a lesson plan.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you collaborate with other teachers. Use your answer to describe a specific time when you worked with a team of teachers to develop a lesson plan and the steps you took to ensure everyone had a voice in the process.

Example: “In my first teaching position, I worked with a team of five other teachers to develop a lesson plan for a unit on the solar system. We met once a week for a few weeks to discuss the curriculum and how we would teach the material. We decided to split the unit into five lessons, each focusing on a different planet. We also decided to have each teacher teach one of the lessons, so that each teacher could get a chance to teach the material.”

22. Explain what strategies you use to ensure all students are participating in the classroom.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your classroom management skills. They want to know how you encourage students to participate in class and how you handle students who are not participating. In your answer, explain what you do to encourage all students to participate in class and what you do to help students who are not participating.

Example: “I encourage all students to participate in class by giving them opportunities to answer questions and participate in discussions. I also use a variety of teaching strategies to keep students engaged in class. For example, I use a variety of games and activities to keep students focused and participating in class. I also use positive reinforcement to encourage students to participate in class.”

23. Tell us about a time when you thought outside of the box to solve an issue in the classroom.

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and creativity. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a specific example of a time you used your critical thinking skills to solve a problem.

Example: “In my first year of teaching, I had a student who was having a hard time focusing in class. I noticed that he was always looking at his phone, so I decided to use that to my advantage. I created a class where students could use their phones to play educational games. This helped the student focus in class and learn more about the subjects we were studying. I also used the time to teach the students about the dangers of using their phones too much.”

24. How do you respond when a student has difficulty understanding a concept?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you approach teaching concepts to students and how you help them learn. Describe a time when you helped a student understand a concept and how you did it.

Example: “I find that the best way to help students understand a concept is to break it down into smaller parts. I do this by explaining the concept in different ways and using different examples. I also find that it’s important to give students time to practice the concept and to provide them with additional resources to help them learn. For example, if a student is having trouble with a math concept, I will give them extra time to practice the concept and provide them with additional resources, such as online math games, to help them learn.”

25. Describe how you would integrate technology into your lesson plans.

Technology is an important part of education, and the interviewer may want to know how you would use it to enhance your students’ learning. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would use technology to help students learn and develop their skills.

Example: “I believe technology is an important tool for education, and I use it to help students learn and develop their skills. For example, I use technology to help students learn how to use a computer and the internet. I also use technology to help students learn math and science concepts. For example, I use a program called Geogebra to help students learn geometry and algebra. I also use technology to help students learn how to use a video camera and edit videos.”