17 Homeschool Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Homeschool teachers have the unique opportunity to design their own curriculum, choose their own teaching methods, and work one-on-one with their students. But before you can start teaching, you need to go through a job interview.

While each homeschool interview will be different, there are some common questions you can expect. In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to answer homeschool teacher interview questions, so you can land the job you want.

Are you certified to teach?

Homeschool teachers need to be certified in the state where they plan to teach. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary qualifications for the job. If you are not yet certified, let them know what steps you’re taking to get your certification.

Example: “I am a certified teacher with a bachelor’s degree in education. I’m currently working on my master’s degree in teaching so that I can become fully certified. Once I complete my coursework and thesis, I will submit my application for certification.”

What are your teaching credentials?

Homeschool teachers need to have a teaching credential. Employers ask this question to make sure you are qualified for the job. Before your interview, find out what credentials they require. If you don’t have one, explain that you’re in the process of getting one.

Example: “I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree in education. I plan to finish by the end of the year. I also have two years of experience as a substitute teacher at a local elementary school.”

How would you describe your teaching style?

Homeschool teachers have a unique opportunity to develop their own teaching style. Interviewers want to know what your approach is and how it might fit with the school’s philosophy. Describe your teaching style in relation to other approaches, such as Montessori or Waldorf.

Example: “I believe that every student learns differently, so I try to create an environment where students can learn in the way that works best for them. For example, some students do better when they work independently while others need more guidance from their teacher. In my last position, I had a class of five different grade levels, ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade. I used this opportunity to experiment with various teaching styles to find out which worked best for each age group.”

What is your experience with homeschooling?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience with homeschooling and how you might fit in at their school. If you have no prior experience, consider talking about any other teaching experiences or extracurricular activities that helped you develop skills that are important for this role.

Example: “I’ve been homeschooling my two children for the past five years. I started out by researching different curriculums and finding one that worked best for our family. My oldest child is now in middle school, so we’re transitioning to a more traditional curriculum. I’m excited to share what I learned along the way with other families.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to create a lesson plan on the spot.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your ability to think on your feet and create a lesson plan quickly. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had no idea what the day’s lesson was going to be but still managed to teach effectively.

Example: “When I first started teaching, my principal asked me to cover for another teacher who was out sick. The other teacher hadn’t left any lesson plans or instructions for that day, so I had to come up with a lesson plan on the spot. Luckily, the students were in the middle of learning about animals, so I used that as a jumping off point for the rest of the day. I taught them about different types of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.”

If a student is struggling with a subject, what strategies do you use to help them?

Homeschool teachers must be able to identify and address students’ learning needs. This question helps the interviewer assess your ability to help students overcome challenges in their studies. In your answer, describe a time when you helped a student overcome an academic challenge.

Example: “I have experience working with students who are struggling with subjects like math or reading. I first try to determine what the root of the problem is by asking questions about how they feel about the subject and if they understand the material. If it’s something that can be fixed with more practice, I will give them extra assignments to reinforce the concepts. If there is a deeper issue, such as not understanding basic math principles, I will find supplemental resources to help them learn.”

What would you do if a parent disagreed with your teaching methods?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. As a homeschool teacher, you may work with parents who have different opinions about how their child should learn or what they should be learning. It’s important for teachers to remain calm and respectful when working with these types of parents. Try to emphasize that you would try to understand the parent’s perspective while also explaining why you believe your teaching methods are best for the student.

Example: “I’ve had disagreements with parents before, but I always make sure to speak respectfully and calmly. I explain my reasoning behind my teaching methods and offer to meet with them at another time if they’d like to discuss it further. In the past, I’ve been able to reach an agreement with most parents.”

How well do you handle constructive criticism?

Homeschool teachers often receive feedback from parents and students. Interviewers want to know how you respond to criticism, especially if they plan to give you feedback about your teaching style or lesson plans. Use examples of past experiences where you received constructive criticism and how you used it to improve your teaching methods.

Example: “I understand that homeschool teachers need to be open to receiving feedback from their students and parents. I have had several instances in the past when a student’s parent gave me feedback on my teaching style. In these situations, I try to listen carefully to what the parent has to say and take notes so I can reflect on their comments later. After reflecting on the feedback, I make changes to my teaching style as needed.”

Do you have any experience working with special needs students?

Homeschool teachers often work with students who have special needs. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with these types of students and how you can help them succeed in your classroom. Use examples from your previous job or discuss what you would do if a student needed extra support.

Example: “I worked as a homeschool teacher for five years, and I had several students with special needs. One student was deaf and used American Sign Language to communicate. Another student had ADHD and struggled with focusing on his schoolwork. I learned sign language so that I could better communicate with my deaf student. For the student with ADHD, I created lesson plans that were short and focused on one topic at a time. This helped him stay focused during class.”

When is it appropriate to contact a student’s doctor?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the homeschooling laws in their state. They want to know that you will follow the law and act responsibly when it comes to contacting a student’s doctor. In your answer, explain how you would determine whether or not to contact a student’s doctor.

Example: “I have worked with students who have special needs before, so I am familiar with the process for determining if it is necessary to contact a parent’s doctor. If a student has an issue that affects their ability to learn, then I would contact the parents immediately. However, if there is no impact on learning, then I would wait until the next scheduled parent-teacher conference to discuss any concerns.”

We want to encourage our students to explore different areas of interest. How would you encourage students to branch out and try new things?

Homeschool teachers need to be able to encourage students to try new things and explore different areas of interest. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would help your students grow as individuals. In your answer, explain a specific strategy or two that you use to encourage students to branch out and try new things.

Example: “I think it’s important for homeschool students to have opportunities to learn about subjects outside their normal interests. I always make sure to include lessons on topics like art history and foreign languages in my curriculum so that students can experience something new. For example, last year we learned about Spanish culture by watching a movie in Spanish.”

Describe your process for evaluating students at the end of each term.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you assess student progress. In your answer, describe a process that is specific and organized. Explain the steps you take to ensure students are meeting their goals and objectives.

Example: “At the end of each term, I give students an assessment test on all subjects they’ve studied throughout the year. This allows me to see which areas they’re excelling in and which ones they need extra help with. After administering the test, I use a grading scale to determine what percentage of questions they answered correctly. Then, I create a report for parents that includes their child’s overall grade as well as individual grades for each subject.”

What makes you qualified to teach a specific subject?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise in a specific subject. Use examples from your previous experience to show how you’ve developed your skills and knowledge in that area.

Example: “I have been teaching math for five years, so I am very familiar with the curriculum and standards for this subject. In my last position, I helped develop lesson plans for other teachers who were less experienced than me. This gave me the opportunity to learn more about different methods of teaching math and try new techniques myself. I found that using manipulatives like blocks or dice to explain concepts was helpful for students who struggled with abstract thinking.”

Which age group do you prefer to teach?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience teaching a specific age group. Homeschool teachers often teach multiple age groups, so it’s important that they can work with students of all ages. When answering this question, try to show that you enjoy working with all types of students and are willing to adapt your teaching style to meet their needs.

Example: “I actually prefer to teach older students because I find them more interesting than younger ones. However, I also love working with younger kids because I find them very entertaining. I think homeschooling is an excellent way for both age groups to learn, so I’m happy to teach either one.”

What do you think is the most important skill for students to learn early on in their education?

This question can help interviewers understand your philosophy on education and how you plan to teach students. You can use this opportunity to explain what skills you think are most important for students to learn in elementary school, middle school or high school.

Example: “I believe that the most important skill for students to learn early on is organization. If they can develop good organizational habits at a young age, it will make their lives easier as they progress through their education. I also think that developing strong communication skills is essential because it helps them interact with others and solve problems.”

How often do you plan to update the lesson plans?

Homeschool teachers often create lesson plans for their students to follow. These plans can include the topics that need to be covered, how they will be taught and any other relevant information. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your planning process and ensure you are organized enough to complete it on a regular basis. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take when creating these plans and highlight your attention to detail.

Example: “I plan my lessons at least once per week. I find that doing so allows me to cover all of the necessary material while also ensuring that each day’s lesson is challenging for the student. I always make sure to update my lesson plans if there are changes in the curriculum or if I want to add new activities.”

There is a new trend in education that you want to try with your students. How do you go about implementing it?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of current trends in education and how you would implement them. You can use this as a chance to showcase your creativity, problem-solving skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “I have been following the trend of project-based learning for some time now, but I haven’t had the opportunity to try it out until now. When I was hired at my last school, we were already using a traditional curriculum that didn’t allow me to implement any new methods. Now, however, I am starting a homeschool program where I will be able to introduce students to project-based learning.

First, I will start by researching different types of projects and finding one that fits our curriculum. Then, I will meet with parents to discuss their child’s strengths and weaknesses so they know what type of project would be best suited for their student. Finally, I will create a rubric for grading the project and give students ample time to complete it.”