Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a director of curriculum and instruction, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.
The Director of Curriculum and Instruction oversees all curriculum and instruction initiatives in a school district. They work with principals, teachers, and other administrators to develop and implement curricula that meet state and federal standards. They also develop and oversee assessment programs to track student progress and ensure that all students are college and career ready.
To be successful in this role, you need to be able to answer common interview questions for directors of curriculum and instruction. In this guide, we will provide you with some tips on how to answer these questions as well as some sample questions and answers.
The Common Core Standards are a set of guidelines for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. They were developed by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers in 2009, and they have been adopted by most states.
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re familiar with the standards and how you feel about them. If you haven’t worked in a school that uses the Common Core Standards before, it’s okay to say so. You can explain that you’ve done some research on the topic and would like to learn more.
Example: “I am very familiar with the Common Core Standards. I was working as an elementary school teacher when my district began using them. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about them because I didn’t understand all of the changes they brought. However, after reading up on them and talking to other teachers, I realized that they help students develop important skills and knowledge.
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications to be successful in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a director of curriculum and instruction, such as communication, organization and time management.
Example: “The most important skill for a director of curriculum and instruction is strong communication skills. This person needs to be able to communicate effectively with teachers, parents and other stakeholders about what’s happening in the school district. Another important skill is organizational ability. As a director of curriculum and instruction, I would need to keep track of many different tasks at once. Organization helps me stay on top of my work.”
The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your experience with curriculum development and how you would approach the task of creating a new curriculum for their school. Use examples from past projects or describe what steps you would take if you had no prior experience.
Example: “I would first conduct research on current educational standards, including state requirements and national benchmarks. Then I would create a team of teachers who are experts in their subject areas and hold them accountable for developing lesson plans that align with these standards. After reviewing all the submitted lesson plans, I would select the best ones and integrate them into a comprehensive curriculum plan. Finally, I would present my findings to the principal and faculty members for approval.”
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your evaluation process and how you use data to make decisions. Use examples from past experiences to describe the steps you take when evaluating a curriculum’s success, including how you collect data and analyze it.
Example: “I first assess whether students are meeting the objectives of the curriculum. I then look at student performance on state assessments to see if they’re learning what they need to know for these exams. Finally, I compare my school’s test scores with other schools in our district or state to determine if we’re performing better than average.”
As a director of curriculum and instruction, you may need to resolve conflicts between teachers. This question can help an interviewer understand how you might handle such situations in the future. Use your answer to describe a time when you helped a teacher solve a problem or improve their teaching methods.
Example: “I once had a science teacher who was very strict about students using their phones during class. He would confiscate them if he saw anyone with their phone out. One day, I noticed that one student was taking notes on his phone while another was playing games. The student wasn’t cheating, but I knew the teacher needed to find a better way to manage cellphones in class.
I spoke with the teacher privately and explained why it’s important for students to use their phones as study tools. We came up with a compromise where students could use their phones for note-taking and research as long as they put them away before the teacher started lecturing.”
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a clear understanding of what this role entails. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of the job’s responsibilities and how you would approach them if hired.
Example: “My top priority as director of curriculum and instruction would be to ensure that all students are receiving an education that meets their individual needs. I believe that every student deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. To do this, I would work with teachers and administrators to develop a comprehensive plan for improving the school’s curriculum and instructional methods. We would also implement strategies for identifying at-risk students so we can intervene before they fall behind.”
Director of curriculum and instruction roles often involve implementing new curriculums, which can sometimes be challenging for teachers. Employers ask this question to make sure you have strategies in place to help your team through these changes. In your answer, explain how you would implement the curriculum while also helping your teachers feel supported and valued.
Example: “I’ve worked with several different teachers throughout my career, so I know that change is always difficult. If I were faced with a situation where teachers weren’t happy about a new curriculum, I would first try to understand why they felt that way. Then, I would work with them to create lesson plans that incorporate some of the old curriculum into the new one. This helps ease the transition and gives teachers more control over their lessons.”
The director of curriculum and instruction often works with other administrators to ensure the school’s curriculum meets state standards. The interviewer wants to know how you collaborate with others, especially those who have different opinions than you. Showcase your interpersonal skills by describing a time when you worked well with someone else.
Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working with other teachers because it helps me learn new teaching methods. I once had a colleague who taught math in a way that was completely different from my own. We decided to try each other’s method for one week before deciding which we preferred. After trying her method, I realized that she used many of the same techniques as I did but in a slightly different order. By combining our two methods, we were able to create an even better lesson plan.”
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with students who are learning differently. This can be an important skill for a director of curriculum and instruction because they often need to create lesson plans that accommodate all types of learners. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any specific skills or strategies you’ve used in the past when teaching special needs students.
Example: “I worked as a teacher’s aide at my local elementary school where I helped support teachers by assisting them with their lessons and providing one-on-one attention to students who needed it. In particular, I had some experience working with students who were on the autism spectrum. I found that using visuals and repetition was very effective for these students.”
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. Use your answer to highlight your ability to create a schedule that meets the needs of students while also supporting teachers’ professional development.
Example: “I think it’s important to start new subjects at the beginning of each school year so that students have plenty of time to practice skills before state testing. I’ve found that starting new subjects in September gives me enough time to prepare lesson plans, communicate with other teachers and support my colleagues as they develop their own curriculum plans.”
Director of curriculum and instruction roles often oversee training programs for teachers. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have any ideas about how they can improve their current teacher training program. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to make the training more effective or efficient. Show that you are willing to put in extra effort to help train new teachers.
Example: “I think it’s important to provide a variety of training methods for our teachers. I would start by surveying all of our teachers to find out which training methods they prefer. Then, I would create a schedule where we rotate through different types of training each month. This way, we can ensure that everyone gets the type of training they need while also providing variety.”
Technology is an important part of the curriculum and instruction process. The interviewer wants to know how you use technology in your classroom, as well as your experience with it. Use examples from past experiences that highlight your knowledge of different technologies and their uses.
Example: “I have used a variety of technologies in my teaching career. I started out using traditional methods like textbooks and worksheets but quickly realized that students needed more engaging ways to learn. So, I began incorporating interactive whiteboards into my lessons. This allowed me to engage students by allowing them to participate in class discussions and answer questions on the board.
I also implemented online learning resources such as Khan Academy and Duolingo. These resources allow students to practice what they learned in class at home or anywhere else they have access to the internet.”
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you compare to other candidates. To answer, think of the most important skills and experiences that relate to the job description. Explain why these are important for a director of curriculum and instruction.
Example: “I have extensive experience working with teachers and administrators on developing curriculums. I also have a proven track record of increasing student test scores by 10% or more in one year. These two things make me an excellent candidate for this position because they show my ability to work well with others and improve learning outcomes.”
This question can help an interviewer understand your teaching style and preferences. It can also show them how you might approach curriculum development for the school district. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific subject or grade level that you enjoy most and least. This can give the interviewer more insight into what kind of teacher you are.
Example: “I really enjoy teaching math at all grade levels. I find it interesting to see students develop their problem-solving skills as they learn new concepts. However, I do not enjoy teaching science as much because I feel like there is so much information to cover in such a short amount of time. I would rather have my students spend more time on one concept than move through several.”
This question can help interviewers understand your philosophy on education and how you would implement curriculum in a school. It is important to show that you value critical thinking, problem-solving skills and creativity when answering this question.
Example: “I believe the most important skill for students to learn in the 21st century is critical thinking. In today’s world, there are so many sources of information available to us, but not all of it is accurate or reliable. Students need to be able to evaluate different sources of information and determine which ones are credible. They also need to be able to think critically about what they read and hear to make sure they are getting the facts.”
This question can help interviewers understand your expectations for teachers in the district. It’s important to consider the school’s curriculum and how often it changes before you answer. You may also want to mention that you expect teachers to update their lesson plans at least once a month, or more frequently if necessary.
Example: “I believe that teachers should update their lesson plans every week. This allows them to be prepared for any unexpected events during class time. If there are major changes to the curriculum, I expect teachers to make adjustments to their lesson plans within one week of receiving the new information.”
Director of curriculum and instruction roles often involve developing engaging lessons that keep students interested in the material. Employers ask this question to see if you have any strategies for improving student engagement. In your answer, share a specific strategy you used in the past to improve student engagement.
Example: “I find that one way to increase student engagement is through hands-on learning activities. For example, when I was teaching high school math, I noticed that my students were struggling with fractions. So, I created an activity where they had to create their own recipes using fraction ingredients. This helped them understand how fractions work in real life and increased their overall understanding of the subject.”