20 Anne Arundel County Public Schools Interview Questions and Answers

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) is the public school system serving Anne Arundel County, Maryland. With over 82,000 students in 130 schools, AACPS is one of the largest school districts in Maryland.

If you’re applying for a job with AACPS, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and availability. In this guide, we’ve gathered a list of sample AACPS interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools Interview Process

The interview process at Anne Arundel County Public Schools can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For most positions, you will need to complete an online application and assessment, followed by a phone screening interview with HR. If you are selected to move forward in the process, you may be interviewed by a panel of staff members from the school or department you are applying to. In some cases, you may also need to complete a skills test or performance task as part of the interview process.

1. What is your teaching style?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with the school’s philosophy. To answer, you can describe a few of your teaching methods or philosophies and explain why they work for you.

Example: “I believe that every student learns differently, so I try to use many different teaching styles in my classroom. For example, when teaching math, I like to start by explaining concepts verbally before moving on to written explanations and demonstrations. This helps students who learn better through hearing and those who learn better through seeing. It also allows me to assess which students need extra help and provide them with one-on-one attention.”

2. Why do you want to work at Anne Arundel County Public Schools?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their school district. They want to know that you are passionate about the community and understand what makes it unique. When preparing for this question, make sure to highlight any personal connections you have with Anne Arundel County Public Schools. You can also talk about how much you enjoy working in a public school setting.

Example: “I am very excited to apply for this position because I have always wanted to work at an Anne Arundel County Public School. My brother graduated from here, so I have many fond memories of visiting him during his senior year. I think it is important to be part of a community where people care about each other. That’s why I chose to become a teacher, and I would love to teach here.”

3. How would you handle a student who constantly disrupts the class?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your classroom management skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging student and whether you have any strategies for managing disruptive students in the classroom. In your answer, describe a time when you had to manage a disruptive student and what steps you took to help them focus on their work or behavior.

Example: “I once had a student who was constantly disrupting the class by talking out of turn, asking questions unrelated to the lesson and not paying attention. I asked him to stay after class one day so we could talk about his behavior. He told me that he didn’t understand the material and wanted to learn more. I explained the importance of listening to the teacher and following directions. After that conversation, he started paying better attention in class.”

4. Describe how you would teach a new subject to someone with no knowledge of it.

This question is a great way to show your teaching skills and how you can help students learn. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about the steps you would take when introducing a new subject or concept to someone who has no prior knowledge of it.

Example: “I would first explain what I’m going to teach them in simple terms so they understand the basics. Then, I would give examples of the concepts I’m explaining so they can see how it applies to their lives. Finally, I would provide additional resources for them to continue learning on their own.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision in regards to a students education.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and what your thought process is. Use examples from your experience that highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to collaborate with others.

Example: “In my current role as an English teacher, I have had to make important decisions about students’ education on a regular basis. For example, one student in my class was struggling with their writing assignments. After talking with them about it, we decided they would benefit from having extra time to work on their assignments outside of class. This allowed them to focus more on their writing during class time, which helped them improve their grades.”

6. Do you have experience working in special education?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with students who have special needs. If you do not have any experience in special education, consider sharing a story of how you helped a student overcome challenges or develop new skills.

Example: “I worked as an aide for two years at a local elementary school where I assisted teachers and aides with students who had special needs. One student I worked with was nonverbal, so I learned sign language to communicate with him. He loved music, so we would sing songs together during the day. This made him feel comfortable and happy, which allowed me to get to know him better and help him succeed.”

7. How well do you think standardized testing measures what a student knows?

This question is a great way to gauge your opinion on standardized testing and how you feel about it. It’s important for the interviewer to know that you understand the purpose of standardized testing, but also that you’re not opposed to it.

Example: “I think standardized testing is an excellent way to measure what students know. I believe it’s important to have some sort of standardization when comparing data from different schools or districts. However, I do think there are other ways we can assess student learning without relying so heavily on standardized tests.”

8. What are some strategies that you use to keep your classroom engaged and motivated?

Teachers need to be creative and innovative when it comes to keeping their students engaged. Interviewers want to know that you have a variety of strategies at your disposal to keep the classroom lively and fun for all students.

Example: “I find that using games, puzzles and other interactive activities are great ways to keep my students’ attention. I also make sure to incorporate plenty of movement into lessons so they can get up and move around while still learning. Another strategy I use is having students work in small groups on projects or assignments. This allows them to learn from each other and collaborate with one another.”

9. What do you think is the most important part of education?

This question is a great way to see how you feel about education and what your priorities are. It also gives the interviewer insight into whether or not you would be a good fit for their school district. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your own experience that shows why you value education so much.

Example: “Education is one of the most important things in life because it’s what helps us learn new skills and knowledge. I believe that every student should have access to quality education no matter where they live. In my last position, I worked with students who had learning disabilities and helped them develop strategies to overcome those challenges. This was very rewarding work.”

10. What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their school. To answer this question, think of a few things that make you unique or what skills you have that would be beneficial in the role.

Example: “I am an experienced teacher with a proven track record of helping students succeed. I also have experience working with children who have special needs, which is something Anne Arundel County Public Schools has been focusing on recently. My background as a tutor also makes me uniquely qualified for this position because it shows I know how to help students understand concepts they’re struggling with.”

11. Have you ever taught a large group of children before? If so, how did you manage them?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with large groups of students. If you have never taught a class this size, explain what it was like teaching a group that was larger than usual.

Example: “I’ve only ever taught classes of 20 or more children once in my career. It was during my first year as a teacher when I had to teach an entire classroom of kindergarteners. At first, it was overwhelming and difficult to manage them all at once. However, after a few weeks, I got used to having so many kids in one room and learned how to control them better.”

12. Are you comfortable handling medical emergencies such as seizures or allergic reactions?

Interviewers may ask this question to determine if you have experience with emergency procedures. If you do, they may also want to know how comfortable you are in these situations and whether or not you’ve ever had to handle one before. In your answer, try to explain that you’re prepared for any situation and provide examples of when you’ve handled a medical emergency successfully.

Example: “I am very comfortable handling medical emergencies because I have done so many times throughout my career. For example, during my first year as a teacher, I was teaching a class when a student started having a seizure. I immediately called the nurse, who came into the classroom and took care of the student while I continued teaching the rest of the class.”

13. What do you think is the best way to motivate a child?

Motivation is an important skill for teachers to have. It helps students stay focused and learn more effectively. Interviewers want to know that you can motivate your students in a way that’s appropriate for their age group. Explain how you would use different methods of motivation to help students succeed.

Example: “I think the best way to motivate children is by showing them that I care about them as individuals. When they feel like they’re cared for, it makes them more likely to work hard and do well in school. In my previous position, I had a student who was struggling with math. I spent extra time after class working with him on his homework until he understood it. He ended up getting an A on his next test.”

14. How would you deal with parents who were not satisfied with their child’s performance?

As a teacher, you may encounter parents who are not satisfied with their child’s performance. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would handle such situations and if you have any strategies for improving parent-teacher relationships. In your answer, try to show that you value communication and actively listen to others’ concerns.

Example: “I understand that parents want what is best for their children. If I ever encountered a situation where a parent was unhappy with their child’s progress, I would first ask them about their expectations for their child. Then, I would schedule a meeting with the student to discuss their goals and help them develop a plan to achieve them. Finally, I would meet with the parent again to review the student’s progress.”

15. Is there anything else we should know about you?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person. You can use this time to talk about any volunteer work, hobbies or other experiences that will help them understand who you are as a person and how you might fit into their school community.

Example: “I have been volunteering at my local library for the past five years. I love working with children and helping them learn new things. I also enjoy reading and writing, so it’s nice to be able to combine those two interests in my volunteer role.”

16. What are your expectations for this position?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have a realistic idea of what the job entails. They want someone who is excited about the position and will be able to do it well. Before your interview, read through the job description to get an idea of what they are looking for in their ideal candidate. In your answer, explain how your skills and experience match up with what they’re looking for.

Example: “I am very passionate about education and would love to work at a school where I can help students learn and grow. I think my background as a teacher aide makes me a great fit for this role because I’ve seen firsthand how teachers interact with students and know that I could provide support to them if needed. I also understand that there’s more to this job than just teaching lessons. I’m ready to take on any challenges that come along with this position.”

17. What kind of environment do you prefer to work in?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their school community. They want to make sure that you will be happy working at their school, so they are looking for answers that show you would enjoy the environment there. When answering this question, try to focus on positive aspects of the school district.

Example: “I prefer a collaborative work environment where everyone is willing to help each other out. I think it’s important to have an open-door policy where teachers can talk to one another about ideas or concerns. I also think it’s beneficial to have a mentor program where new teachers can learn from experienced ones.”

18. Give us an example of something you learned in a previous job that has helped you become more successful today.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re always learning and improving. It also shows them how your skills can be applied in a new environment. When answering this question, think of something that has helped you grow as a professional and highlight the skills you’ve developed over time.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for creating monthly reports on student progress. At first, it was challenging to create these reports because I didn’t know what information to include or how to organize everything. However, after working with my supervisor, I learned how to create more detailed reports that were easy to read and understand.”

19. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Interviewers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can see how you will be an asset to their school district. They also want to know about any weaknesses that may need improvement.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always willing to help anyone who needs it, even if it means staying late or coming in early. My weakness would have to be my attention to detail. While I do my best to proofread everything I write, sometimes mistakes slip through the cracks. I am working on improving this skill.”

20. In your opinion, what is one thing that needs to be changed in our school system?

This question is a great way to see how you can make improvements in the school system. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific and provide examples of what you would do differently.

Example: “I think one thing that needs to change in our school system is the amount of standardized testing students have to take. I believe there are too many tests that don’t actually measure student learning. Instead, they’re used as a way for teachers to prove their effectiveness. In my experience, I’ve found that if we reduce the number of tests given to students, we can focus more on improving teacher quality.”