17 Computer Science Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Teaching computer science is one of the most in-demand jobs today. With technology becoming more and more integral in our lives, it’s no wonder that schools are looking for qualified computer science teachers. But even if you’re the most qualified candidate, you’ll still need to answer some tough questions during your interview.

In this guide, we’ll give you some of the most common computer science teacher interview questions and answers. By preparing for these questions, you’ll be one step closer to getting the job you want.

Are you familiar with the most recent updates to the computer science curriculum in this state?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are up-to-date on the latest changes in computer science education. They want to know that you can adapt your teaching style and curriculum to meet state standards. In your answer, explain how you stay informed about these updates and what steps you take to ensure you’re meeting students’ needs.

Example: “I am very familiar with the most recent updates to the computer science curriculum in this state. I subscribe to several newsletters from the department of education where I keep track of any new developments or revisions to the curriculum. I also attend professional development workshops throughout the year to learn more about the newest technology and resources available for my classroom.”

What are some of the most important skills that you teach your students in your computer science class?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of what you believe are important skills for students to learn in your computer science class. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention some specific skills that you feel are essential for students to know and understand when entering the workforce or continuing their education.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills I teach my students is how to write code. This skill is vital because it allows them to create programs and applications that they can use throughout their lives. Another important skill I teach my students is how to troubleshoot problems with technology. Many people work in tech-related jobs, so being able to solve issues with computers and other devices is an important life skill.”

How do you help your students who are struggling with the material in your class?

Computer science is a challenging subject for many students. Employers may ask this question to learn more about your strategies for helping students who are struggling with the material in class. In your answer, explain how you help these students and what steps you take to ensure they understand the concepts.

Example: “I have several methods I use to help my students who are struggling with computer science. First, I make sure that all of my lessons include examples and practice problems so students can apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Next, I hold weekly review sessions where students can come together to discuss the previous week’s material. Finally, I always offer extra help after school or during lunchtime if any student needs additional support.”

What is your teaching style when it comes to computer science?

Interviewers want to know how you plan your lessons and what methods you use to engage students. Your answer should include a brief description of your teaching style, including the types of activities or projects you use in class.

Example: “I believe that computer science is an important subject for all students because it teaches them valuable problem-solving skills. I like to start each lesson with a short lecture on the topic we’re covering, then move into hands-on activities where students can apply their knowledge. For example, when learning about coding, I have my students write code using a website they can access from home.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your lesson plan due to a lack of understanding from your students.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenges in the classroom. They want to know that you can adapt your teaching style and use different methods to help students learn. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to ensure your students understood the material.

Example: “In my previous role as a computer science teacher, I had a group of students who struggled with basic coding concepts. Rather than continue to teach them at their current pace, I decided to break up the class into smaller groups so I could work one-on-one with each student. This allowed me to spend more time explaining the concepts to each student and helped them understand the basics before moving on to more advanced topics.”

If you had more time and resources, what would you add to your computer science curriculum?

This question can help interviewers understand your teaching philosophy and how you would improve the computer science curriculum if given more time and resources. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or activity that you would like to implement in your classroom.

Example: “If I had more time and resources, I would add an additional coding language to our curriculum. Currently, we only learn one coding language, but there are many different languages out there that students could benefit from learning. I think it’s important for students to have exposure to multiple coding languages so they can decide which ones they prefer. This will also give them more options when looking for jobs after graduation.”

What would you do if a student was being disruptive during your lesson?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenging situations. They want to know that you can keep your students focused and on task while still maintaining a positive learning environment. In your answer, try to show that you value the student’s education and understand why they might be acting out.

Example: “If I notice a disruptive student during my lesson, I first try to get their attention so I can find out what is distracting them. If it’s something I can address right away, like an itch or a question, then I do so. Otherwise, I tell them that I will help them after class. This way, I am able to maintain control of the classroom without embarrassing the student.”

How well do you know the subject matter in your computer science course?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how much you know about the subject matter in your computer science course. They want to make sure that you have a strong understanding of what you’re teaching and can answer any questions students might have. In your response, try to show that you are passionate about the material and knowledgeable about it.

Example: “I am very familiar with the content I teach in my computer science class. I’ve been teaching for five years now, and I’m always looking for new ways to engage my students and help them learn more about the subject. I also take continuing education courses on computer science topics regularly so I can stay up-to-date on the latest developments.”

Do you have any experience with professional development for teachers?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with professional development and how you might support other teachers in the school. If you have any experience helping other teachers develop their computer science teaching skills, share what you did to help them.

Example: “I’ve been a part of several professional development sessions for teachers where we discussed different ways to teach students about coding. I also helped organize a teacher workshop that focused on integrating technology into all subjects. This allowed me to work with many teachers who were new to using computers in their classrooms.”

When teaching a lesson, do you prefer to work with a partner or alone?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your communication skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when working with another teacher helped you teach a lesson or solve a problem.

Example: “I prefer to work alone during my lessons because I feel like I have more control over the class that way. However, if there is a situation where I need help from another computer science teacher, I would definitely ask for their assistance. In fact, last year, one of my students was having trouble understanding an important concept in coding. My colleague and I worked together to create a visual representation of the concept so our student could better understand it.”

We want our students to be able to work collaboratively on projects. How would you structure a project-based assignment in your class?

Computer science teachers often assign projects to their students that require them to work together. The interviewer wants to know how you plan and execute these assignments in your classroom. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your ability to collaborate with a team of students on a project.

Example: “I find that the best way to structure a project is by breaking it into smaller, more manageable tasks. I usually give each student one task to complete individually before we meet as a group to discuss our findings. This allows me to monitor each student’s progress while also giving them an opportunity to learn how to communicate effectively with their peers.”

Describe your process for assessing your students’ learning and adjusting your lesson plans accordingly.

Computer science teachers must be able to assess their students’ learning and adjust their lesson plans accordingly. This question allows the interviewer to evaluate your ability to adapt to student needs and make changes in the classroom. In your answer, describe how you use assessment data to inform your teaching methods.

Example: “I begin each class by asking my students what they learned from the previous day’s lesson. I then ask them to apply that knowledge to a new problem or challenge. If a student is struggling with a concept, I will break it down into smaller parts and provide additional examples of how this concept can be applied in real-world situations.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for teaching computer science?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and qualifications. They want to know what makes you qualified for the position, so be sure to highlight any relevant experience or skills that make you a good fit for teaching computer science.

Example: “I have been passionate about technology since I was young, which is why I studied computer science in college. Throughout my education, I learned how to code and develop software, but I also understand the importance of teaching students how to use computers responsibly. In my current role as an IT specialist, I help teachers integrate technology into their lessons, so I am familiar with many different types of software and hardware.”

Which computer programming languages are you most familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise in computer programming. It’s important to be honest about your experience, but you should also highlight any languages that you’re eager to learn more about.

Example: “I’m most familiar with Java and C++, however I’ve been learning Python for the past few years. I find it interesting how many different coding languages there are, and I enjoy expanding my knowledge of new ones. I think this is an important skill for a computer science teacher because students need to understand that there are multiple ways to solve problems.”

What do you think is the most important thing for students to learn about computers and technology?

This question can help interviewers understand your philosophy about teaching computer science. They may also want to know what you think is most important for students to learn in the classroom and how you plan to teach it. When answering this question, try to focus on a few key concepts that are essential for students to learn about computers and technology.

Example: “I believe one of the most important things students should learn about computers and technology is how to use them safely. In my last position, I taught students about cyberbullying and online privacy. We talked about how to keep their information safe when using social media and other websites. Students were required to create accounts on several different social media platforms so they could practice creating secure passwords and learning how to protect themselves online.”

How often do you update your lesson plans to reflect changes in the field of computer science?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how often you stay up-to-date with the latest developments in computer science. They want to know that you’re committed to learning and growing as a teacher, so they might look for evidence of your willingness to learn from others and keep up with current events in the field.

Example: “I try to update my lesson plans at least once per month. I find that it’s important to reflect on what worked well during previous lessons and make changes where necessary. For example, if students are having trouble grasping a concept, I’ll go back through my notes and resources to refresh my memory about the topic and then adjust my teaching methods accordingly.”

There is a new trend in the industry that you’re not familiar with. How would you research it and incorporate it into your lessons?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate approaches new technology and incorporates it into their lessons. You can ask this question to determine if they are open-minded about learning new things, as well as how they would approach researching something that they’re unfamiliar with.

Example: “I think it’s important for computer science teachers to be up-to-date on all of the latest trends in the industry. I would research the trend by reading articles and watching videos from experts in the field. Then, I would create a lesson plan based on what I learned. This allows me to teach students about the newest technologies while also giving them an opportunity to learn more about the topic independently.”