17 Inclusion Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Inclusion teachers work with students who have special needs in a regular classroom setting. They help these students learn and keep up with the rest of the class. Inclusion teachers often have to adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of each student. They also need to be able to work with other teachers and staff in order to create a supportive learning environment for all students.

In order to work as an inclusion teacher, you will need to be familiar with different teaching methods and how to adapt them to meet the needs of each student. You will also need to be able to work well with other teachers and staff. To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of common interview questions for inclusion teachers and provided sample answers.

Are you certified to teach students with disabilities?

Inclusion teachers must be certified to teach students with disabilities. 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 currently working on getting my special education certification. I plan to take the exam in May of next year. In the meantime, I will continue to work as an inclusion teacher while also volunteering at a local school that serves children with autism. This experience has given me valuable insight into how to best support these students.”

What are some of the most effective strategies you use to support students with special needs?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with students who have special needs. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight the strategies you use and how they benefit students.

Example: “I find that using visuals is one of the most effective ways I can support my students with special needs. For example, when teaching a new concept, I will often draw pictures or diagrams on the board to help students understand what I’m saying. This strategy helps me explain concepts in different ways so all students can understand them. Another strategy I use is providing alternative methods for completing assignments. For instance, if a student has trouble writing essays, I might provide an outline or prompt for them to write instead.”

How would you handle a situation where a student with a disability is being bullied by a classmate?

Inclusion teachers must be able to handle challenging situations with students and their peers. The interviewer wants to know how you would respond to a situation like this one, so they can assess your conflict resolution skills and ability to protect students from bullying.

Example: “I would first speak with the student who is being bullied to make sure that they are safe and comfortable in class. I would then speak with the student who is bullying them to find out why they are doing it. If the reason is not valid or if the behavior continues, I would report the incident to the principal immediately. I would also inform my fellow teachers of the situation so we could all keep an eye on the students involved.”

What is your experience working with students who have specific learning disabilities?

Inclusion teachers often work with students who have learning disabilities, and the interviewer wants to know how you will support these students in your classroom. Use examples from past experiences working with special education students to show that you are qualified for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked with several students who had specific learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD. I always make sure to create a positive learning environment where they can feel comfortable asking questions or expressing themselves. In my last role as an inclusion teacher, I developed a system of visuals and cues to help students remember important information. This helped many of my special education students learn more effectively.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to modify a lesson plan to meet the needs of a student with a disability.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your experience working with students who have special needs. They want to see that you can modify lesson plans and adapt teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student in your classroom. In your answer, try to describe a specific situation where you had to make changes to accommodate a student’s disability or learning style.

Example: “In my last role as an inclusion teacher, I worked with a student who was deaf. He used American Sign Language to communicate, so I needed to incorporate ASL into our lessons. I also wanted him to learn English, so I developed a curriculum that taught both languages at once. This allowed me to teach all of the other students in the class while still meeting his individualized education plan.”

If you had the opportunity to develop a new inclusion curriculum, what would it include?

This question can help interviewers understand your teaching philosophy and how you would implement it in the classroom. When answering this question, try to focus on what is most important to you as a teacher and why.

Example: “I believe that every student deserves an education that challenges them while also making sure they feel safe and supported. If I had the opportunity to develop a new curriculum, I would make sure it included plenty of hands-on activities and projects that allow students to learn through play. I think these types of lessons are essential for developing creativity and problem-solving skills, which are both crucial to success later in life.”

What would you do if a mainstream teacher complained that a student with a disability was distracting them from teaching their class?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle conflict with other teachers or administrators. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to work with others and compromise when necessary.

Example: “I would first ask the mainstream teacher what they thought was distracting about the student. I would then speak with the student’s parents to see if there is a way we could change their child’s behavior so it doesn’t distract the teacher. If not, I would explain to the teacher that sometimes students with disabilities have behaviors that are difficult for teachers to manage. I would offer to provide training on strategies to better manage these situations.”

How well do you think you can maintain your patience when working with students who have challenging behaviors?

Inclusion teachers often work with students who have a wide range of behavioral issues. The interviewer wants to know how you will handle these situations and ensure that the other students in the classroom are not negatively affected by them. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you can remain calm under pressure and keep the focus on teaching.

Example: “I think it’s important for inclusion teachers to be able to maintain their patience when working with students who have challenging behaviors. I’ve had several students over the years who have exhibited difficult behavior, but I always try my best to help them learn despite this. In one situation, I had a student who would frequently disrupt class by talking out of turn. I spoke with his parents about the issue, and they agreed to send him to speech therapy. After he started going to speech therapy, he was much better behaved in class.”

Do you have any experience working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Inclusion teachers often work with students who have a variety of disabilities, including hearing impairments. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with these types of students and how you would handle the unique challenges they may present. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your skills and abilities in this area.

Example: “I’ve worked with several students who are deaf or hard of hearing during my time as an inclusion teacher. I find that it’s important to use visual cues when communicating with them so they can understand what we’re saying. For example, I’ll write on the board or use gestures to help explain concepts. It also helps to have a sign language interpreter for more complex topics.”

When working with students who have autism, do you prefer to use verbal or non-verbal communication?

This question can help interviewers understand your communication style and preferences. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how you prefer to communicate with students and why.

Example: “I find that non-verbal communication is the most effective way for me to work with students who have autism. I use visual schedules and other methods of communicating through pictures or symbols to help them learn new information. This helps me avoid confusing language and allows my students to focus on learning rather than trying to interpret what I’m saying.”

We want to increase the number of students with disabilities in our school. How would you promote our inclusion program to parents and encourage them to enroll their children?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might promote the school’s inclusion program and encourage parents to enroll their children. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, enthusiasm for the program and willingness to work with parents to ensure they have all the information they need to make enrollment decisions.

Example: “I would start by reaching out to local organizations that support families of students with disabilities. I’d also reach out to local hospitals and doctors’ offices to see if they offer any discounts or free services to families who enroll their children in our school. I think it’s important to provide as much information as possible to parents so they feel confident about making an informed decision.”

Describe your experience working with students who have physical disabilities.

Inclusion teachers often work with students who have physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or autism. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working with these types of students and that you have experience doing so. In your answer, share a story about how you helped one of these students in the classroom.

Example: “I’ve worked with several students who have physical disabilities throughout my career. One student I had was nonverbal and used sign language to communicate. He also had sensory issues, which made it difficult for him to focus on tasks. To help him stay focused, I would give him small assignments throughout the day. For example, I would tell him to color a picture for five minutes and then write his name for another five minutes. This helped him learn while also helping me manage his behavior.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this inclusion 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 improve inclusion practices in their district. In your answer, share two or three reasons why you are qualified for this role. Explain what skills you have that will benefit students with special needs.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because I have extensive experience working with children who have special needs. Throughout my career as an inclusion teacher, I’ve helped many students overcome learning disabilities and behavioral issues. I also understand the importance of building strong relationships with parents so they feel comfortable talking to me about their child’s progress. This helps me create individualized plans for each student.”

Which teaching methods do you prefer to use when teaching a mainstream class?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you plan lessons and what teaching methods you prefer. It can also show them which methods you are most comfortable with and which ones you might need to learn more about. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of your favorite methods and why you like them.

Example: “I find that I am most comfortable using project-based learning in my mainstream classes. This method allows me to incorporate different subjects into one lesson so students can see the connections between subjects. For example, when teaching a unit on animals, I will teach about their habitats, food sources and adaptations they have for those environments. In addition, I use cooperative learning strategies because they allow students to work together and support each other while still getting individual attention.”

What do you think is the most important thing that inclusion teachers can do to help students with disabilities feel included in the school community?

This question can help interviewers understand how you plan to support students with disabilities and their inclusion in the school community. In your answer, try to highlight specific strategies that you use or have used in the past to help students feel included.

Example: “I think one of the most important things we can do as inclusion teachers is make sure our classrooms are inclusive spaces where all students feel welcome and supported. I always strive to create a classroom environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and participating in class activities. This means making sure my lessons are accessible for all learners and providing accommodations when needed.”

How often do you meet with students with disabilities in your mainstream classes?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle students with disabilities in your classroom. Inclusion teachers often work with students with a variety of disabilities, so it’s important to be able to explain how you manage these situations and provide support for all types of learners.

Example: “I meet with students with disabilities in my mainstream classes every day. I find that this is the best way to ensure they’re getting the support they need while also ensuring other students aren’t distracted by their needs. For example, if a student has an attention deficit disorder, I’ll ask them to leave the room briefly so I can give instructions to the rest of the class without being interrupted.”

There is a conflict between two students with disabilities in your class. How do you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict resolution in the classroom. It’s important to show that you’re able to resolve conflicts without disrupting the learning environment for other students and provide a safe space for all students to learn together.

Example: “I would first make sure both students feel comfortable talking about their concerns with me. I would then listen carefully to each student, asking clarifying questions as needed. After hearing both sides of the story, I would determine whether there is an underlying issue or misunderstanding between the two students. If so, I would work with them to find a solution. If not, I would explain to both students that they must treat one another respectfully at all times.”