15 Classroom Management Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. This is especially true for teachers, who need to be able to answer a variety of questions related to classroom management.

Classroom management is a critical skill for any teacher. It includes everything from maintaining order in the classroom to dealing with disruptive students. In order to be successful in the classroom, teachers need to have a well-organized plan and be able to execute it effectively.

An interviewer will want to know if you have a plan for managing your classroom. They may also ask about how you would deal with a disruptive student or what you would do if a student was not meeting your expectations.

Preparing for these types of questions ahead of time will help you feel more confident and ensure that you give the best possible answers during your interview.

1. What is classroom management?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your understanding of classroom management and how you apply it in the classroom. When answering, define classroom management by explaining what it is and how it can help students learn.

Example: “Classroom management refers to a teacher’s ability to maintain order in the classroom while still encouraging student engagement. Teachers who are good at classroom management know how to keep their students focused on learning without raising their voices or resorting to punishment. Instead, they use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior and ensure that all students have an opportunity to participate.”

2. Can you explain the difference between classroom management and discipline?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your understanding of classroom management and how it relates to discipline. This is because both are important skills for teachers, but they require different approaches. Your answer should show that you understand the difference between these two concepts and can apply them appropriately in a teaching role.

Example: “Classroom management refers to the strategies I use to keep students focused on their learning. Discipline involves consequences for inappropriate behavior. For example, if a student disrupts class by talking out loud, I would first try to redirect their attention back to me or the lesson at hand. If they continued to disrupt class, I would remove them from the situation until they could calm down. In this case, the consequence is time away from the rest of the class.”

3. Can you give me an example of a time when your classroom management approach failed to have the desired effect?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. They want to know that you can take responsibility for your actions, reflect on what went wrong and use the experience to improve your teaching methods in the future.

Example: “I once had a student who was constantly disrupting the class with his behavior. I tried several different approaches to get him to focus, but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, I realized that he wasn’t acting out because he didn’t care about the material or wanted attention—he just couldn’t understand the lesson. I spent extra time one-on-one with him after school to explain the concepts again and make sure he understood them. After that, he stopped disrupting the class.”

4. Do you think that it’s possible for students in a class to manage themselves without any input from their teacher or professor? If yes, then how?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you think classroom management is important and how you would handle it. If you answer yes, explain why you feel that way and what your approach would be. If you answer no, explain why you don’t think students can manage themselves in the classroom and what you would do to help them learn self-management skills.

Example: “I believe that a teacher or professor’s input is essential for student success in the classroom. I would use positive reinforcement techniques like praise and rewards to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior. For example, I might give extra credit to students who are quiet during class.”

5. How do you promote active learning among students in your classroom?

Active learning is a teaching method that encourages students to participate in classroom discussions and activities. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your methods for encouraging active learning among students. In your answer, explain how you encourage students to be involved in the classroom and what strategies you use to help them develop their critical thinking skills.

Example: “I believe that active learning is an important part of developing student confidence and critical thinking skills. To promote active learning in my classroom, I try to make sure all assignments are relevant to the material we’re studying. For example, if we’re learning about the Civil War, I’ll give students multiple choice questions on facts they’ve learned so far. This helps students practice answering questions and also shows me which areas they need to review.”

6. As a rule of thumb, teachers should aim for what percent of student participation during lessons?

This question is a great way to assess your classroom management skills and how you plan lessons. It also shows the interviewer that you understand what’s important in the classroom, such as student participation. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would implement this rule into your teaching style.

Example: “I believe that students should participate at least 50% of the time during class. This means they are actively engaged with the lesson or their peers. I find that if students are participating more than this, they’re learning more and retaining information better.”

7. Is it ever okay for a teacher to raise his/her voice in class?

Interviewers want to know that you understand the importance of maintaining a calm and collected demeanor in front of your students. They also want to make sure you have strategies for handling situations when you need to raise your voice. In your answer, explain why it’s important to maintain a level tone and provide an example of a time when you did so successfully.

Example: “Raising my voice is something I try to avoid at all costs because it can cause students to lose focus or become distracted. However, there are times when I feel like raising my voice is necessary. For example, if a student was disrupting the class by talking loudly or throwing paper airplanes across the room, I would calmly ask them to stop. If they continued, I would repeat myself more firmly and tell them that they will be sent to the principal’s office if they don’t comply.”

8. Should a teacher make himself available to help struggling students outside of class hours?

This question is a good way to assess your commitment to helping students outside of class hours. It also shows the interviewer that you understand the importance of this kind of support and are willing to make yourself available for it.

Example: “Yes, I believe teachers should always be available to help their students. In my last position, I had a student who was struggling with his math homework. He came to me after school one day and asked if he could stay late so we could work on it together. I told him that I would be happy to help him as long as he needed.”

9. What are some ways that you can use technology to create awareness about the rules and procedures of your class?

Technology is a powerful tool that can be used to create awareness about classroom rules and procedures. Employers want to know how you use technology in your teaching methods, so they may ask this question to see if you have any specific strategies for using it to help students learn. In your answer, share two or three ways you’ve used technology to inform students of classroom policies.

Example: “I find that having an online document where I keep all the class rules and procedures is very helpful. It’s easy to update the information as needed, and students can access it at their convenience. This helps them remember what’s expected of them and gives them a place to go when they need clarification on something.”

10. Why do you think it’s important for students to learn self-management techniques?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on classroom management and how you might approach teaching students to manage their own behavior. When answering, it can be helpful to explain the importance of self-management skills in a student’s life beyond school.

Example: “I think that learning self-management techniques is important for students because these skills will help them succeed in all areas of their lives. In my experience, I’ve seen that students who learn to control their emotions and behaviors in class are more likely to have better relationships with teachers and peers. They also tend to perform better academically when they’re able to focus and remain calm during lessons.”

11. What are some guidelines that you should follow as a teacher to ensure that your classroom remains safe at all times?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your classroom management skills and how you ensure the safety of students in your care. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific rules or guidelines that you follow as a teacher and why they’re important for maintaining a safe learning environment.

Example: “I always make sure to have an emergency plan in place before starting each school year. I also keep all necessary first aid supplies on hand at all times, including bandages, antiseptic wipes and other items that might help with minor injuries. I also require my students to wear seat belts while seated at their desks so that we can avoid any accidents.”

12. What steps would you take if you felt like one of your students was being bullied by his/her peers?

Interviewers want to know how you handle conflict resolution in the classroom. Provide an example of a time when you helped resolve a conflict between students and explain what steps you took to help them feel safe and supported.

Example: “I once had a student who was being bullied by his peers because he wore glasses. I noticed that he would often sit alone at lunch, so I invited him to eat with my class. He accepted, and we all made sure to include him in our conversations. After a few weeks, he started making friends with other kids in the class. When I saw that he was fitting in, I told him that if anyone ever picked on him again, he should tell me or another teacher immediately.”

13. What are some ways to facilitate collaboration among students in your class?

Collaboration is an important skill for students to learn in the classroom. Employers may ask this question to see if you have strategies that help your students work together and solve problems as a group. You can answer this question by describing some of the collaboration methods you use with your students.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to get my students collaborating is through small-group activities. I assign each student a partner, and they complete their assignments together. This helps them practice working with others while also giving them individual attention from me. Another strategy I use is project-based learning. I give my students a task or problem to solve, and then they collaborate to come up with solutions.”

14. What are some common challenges faced by students while managing their own behavior?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your classroom management skills by asking you to describe common challenges students face and how you handle them. You can answer this question by describing a specific situation in which you helped a student overcome one of these challenges.

Example: “Students often have trouble managing their own behavior when they’re bored or frustrated with a lesson. I’ve found that it’s important to give students frequent breaks from lessons so they can recharge and refocus on the material. When I notice my students getting restless, I’ll ask them questions about what we’re learning to get them thinking again. This helps me keep them engaged while also giving them an opportunity to practice the concepts.”

15. What are some ways to prevent misbehavior in class?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenging situations in the classroom. They want to know that you can keep your students focused and on task, even when they’re having a hard time following directions or behaving appropriately. In your answer, try to share strategies you’ve used in the past that have proven successful.

Example: “I find that it’s important to establish clear rules and expectations for my students right away. I also make sure to give them plenty of positive reinforcement when they behave well so they understand what behavior is expected from them. If misbehavior does occur, I use consequences as a way to help students learn appropriate behaviors. For example, if a student talks out of turn, I’ll take points off their grade.”