17 Economics Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Economics is the study of how people use and exchange goods and services to satisfy their needs and wants. It is a social science that helps us understand how the world works.

If you’re thinking about becoming an economics teacher, you should know that interviewers will ask questions about your teaching experience, your understanding of economics, and your ability to engage students. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the Common Core Standards for Economics?

The Common Core Standards for Economics are a set of standards that outline what students should know about economics by the time they graduate high school. Interviewers may ask this question to see if you’re familiar with these standards and how you plan to implement them in your classroom. If you haven’t worked with the Common Core Standards before, consider asking the interviewer to explain them to you so you can learn more about them.

Example: “I am familiar with the Common Core Standards for Economics. I think it’s important for students to understand the basics of economics at an early age because it helps them make better financial decisions as adults. In my previous position, I used the Common Core Standards to help me create lesson plans and activities for my students.”

What are some of the most important skills that an economics teacher should possess?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the skills necessary for success in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of these skills and explain how they help you succeed as an economics teacher.

Example: “I believe one of the most important skills an economics teacher should have is patience. Economics is a complex subject with many different variables, so I find that students often need extra time to fully understand concepts. Another skill I think is essential is communication. As an economics teacher, I am responsible for conveying information to my students about a variety of topics. It’s important that I can clearly communicate ideas to ensure my students are able to follow along.”

How would you create a lesson plan for your students?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. To answer, think of a time when you created a lesson plan for your students. Explain the steps you took to create the plan and what you included in it.

Example: “I usually start by looking at my state’s curriculum standards. I then look at any additional resources that help me understand those standards better. For example, if we’re learning about supply and demand, I’ll find videos or articles that explain the concept in different ways. Then, I’ll write out a list of objectives for each class period. I try to make sure each objective is measurable so I can assess whether or not my students learned the material.”

What is your teaching style?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with their school’s expectations. To answer this question, you can describe the methods you use in the classroom and explain why they work for you.

Example: “I believe that students learn best when they’re actively engaged in the lesson. I try to make my lessons as interactive as possible by asking questions and encouraging discussion among my students. This helps them understand concepts better and gives me a chance to assess their understanding of the material. I also like to incorporate technology into my lessons whenever possible because it makes learning fun and engaging.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult student.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you handle challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on a specific situation that shows the interviewer what you did to help the student and how you helped them develop their skills or knowledge in an effective way.

Example: “I once had a student who was very disruptive during class. I tried talking with him several times, but he didn’t seem to understand why his behavior was distracting others. Eventually, I decided to have a one-on-one meeting with him after school. During our meeting, we talked about his behavior and how it affected other students. He apologized for his actions and promised to try harder. After that meeting, he seemed to behave better in class.”

If a student asked you what the most important concept to understand in economics is, what would be your answer?

This question is a great way to see how you prioritize concepts in the classroom. It also shows your interviewer what you think are important for students to learn and understand about economics. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific concept that you feel is especially important for students to grasp.

Example: “I believe the most important concept to understand in economics is supply and demand. This concept is at the core of many other economic principles, so understanding it well will help students better understand other topics in economics as they progress through their education.”

What would you do if you noticed that many of your students were not actively participating in your lessons?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle a challenging classroom situation. In your answer, try to show that you can motivate students and encourage them to participate in class. You can also mention specific strategies you use to engage students in the learning process.

Example: “If I noticed that many of my students were not actively participating in my lessons, I would first try to figure out why they weren’t engaging with the material. If it was because the lesson was too difficult for them, I would break down the information into smaller pieces or provide more examples to help students understand the concepts better. If the problem was due to boredom, I would find ways to make the lesson more interesting by using different teaching methods.”

How well do you know the subject matter that you will be teaching?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of economics and how you plan to teach it. As an economics teacher, you should be able to explain complex economic theories in simple terms that students can understand. You should also have a strong understanding of current events that may affect the economy.

Example: “I am passionate about teaching this subject because I believe that every student deserves to learn about the world around them. In my last position as an economics teacher, I made sure to keep lessons engaging by using real-world examples and analogies to help students better understand complex topics. I also used technology to make learning more interactive.”

Do you have any experience working with other teachers to create collaborative lesson plans?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. In your answer, try to explain how you worked with other teachers in the past to create a lesson plan or complete a project.

Example: “In my previous role as an economics teacher, I often collaborated with other teachers to create engaging lessons for students. For example, I once worked with a math teacher to develop a lesson that taught students basic economic principles through mathematical equations. This helped students understand complex concepts by relating them to something they were already familiar with.”

When it comes to grading, how do you determine if a student has mastered a concept?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your grading policies and how you determine if students have mastered a concept. When answering, it can be helpful to explain the process you use for determining mastery and what factors into that decision.

Example: “When I grade assignments, tests and projects, I look at several different factors. First, I check for understanding of concepts by asking myself questions like ‘Did they understand the purpose of this assignment?’ or ‘Were they able to apply their knowledge to this situation?’ Second, I consider whether or not they followed directions. For example, did they complete all parts of an assignment? Finally, I look at the quality of their work. Did they follow instructions when writing out answers?”

We want to ensure that all of our students leave our school with a solid understanding of economics. What is the most important thing that you would like to teach your students about this subject?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have a specific philosophy about teaching economics. They want to know that you are passionate about the subject and understand what it takes to teach it effectively. In your answer, try to explain why you find economics so interesting and important.

Example: “I think one of the most important things I can teach my students is how to critically analyze economic data. This skill will help them in their future careers as well as when they vote. It’s also important for them to learn how to apply basic economic principles to real-world situations. For example, understanding supply and demand can help them make better shopping decisions.”

Describe your process for preparing for a lesson.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan for lessons. To answer, think of a time when you prepared for a lesson in an economics class. Explain what steps you took to prepare for the lesson and why you chose those steps.

Example: “I usually begin my preparation by reading through the material I’ll be covering in class that day. Then, I create a list of questions students might have while learning the information. During class, I use these questions as prompts to help me explain concepts thoroughly. This helps ensure that all students understand the material.”

What makes you the best candidate for this teaching position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their school and how you can help students succeed in economics class. When answering this question, think about what skills or experiences make you qualified for this role. You can also mention any relevant certifications you have.

Example: “I am passionate about teaching because I love seeing my students develop new knowledge and skills. In my last position, I had several students who struggled with basic economic concepts. I developed an after-school tutoring program where I worked one-on-one with these students to help them understand key principles of economics. This experience shows that I care deeply about helping students achieve academic success.”

Which teaching methods do you prefer to use?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few methods that you enjoy using in the classroom and why they’re effective for you.

Example: “I find that I’m most successful when I use both lecture-style and hands-on learning techniques. Lectures are great for providing students with important information, but I also like to incorporate group work and projects into my curriculum so students have opportunities to apply what they’ve learned. These types of activities help them remember concepts better than just memorizing facts.”

What do you think is the most important thing that students learn in an economics class?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your teaching philosophy. It also helps them understand what you think is most important for students to learn in an economics class. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on one or two specific concepts that you feel are essential for students to know and apply throughout their lives.

Example: “I believe that the most important thing students should take away from an economics class is how to make smart financial decisions. I find that many people have trouble making good financial choices because they don’t fully understand basic economic principles. In my last position, I created a curriculum that focused on helping students develop these skills so that they could use them later in life.”

How often do you update your lesson plans?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you keep students engaged. Your answer should include a specific example of when you updated your lesson plans, the reason for doing so and what impact it had on your classroom.

Example: “I update my lesson plans every week because I find that keeping them fresh helps me stay organized and ensures that I’m always covering important material. Last year, I was teaching a unit on supply and demand when one of my students asked a great question about why there are shortages in some markets but not others. After thinking about it for a few minutes, I realized that I hadn’t covered that topic yet and decided to add it to my next lesson plan.”

There is a new economic development in your community that will impact the local economy. How would you research the impact of this development on the local economy?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your research skills and how you apply them to real-world situations. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use critical thinking skills to analyze information and make informed decisions about the impact of a new development on an economy.

Example: “In my experience as an economics teacher, I’ve seen many instances where local governments have proposed large developments that could potentially change the economic landscape of their communities. For example, in one community I worked in, there was a proposal for a new shopping mall that would bring jobs and revenue to the area but also increase traffic congestion. To determine the impact of this development, I would first look at the current state of the local economy and then compare it to what it would be like with the new development.”