17 Kindergarten Assistant Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Are you thinking of becoming a kindergarten assistant teacher? Before you can take the lead in a classroom of young children, you’ll need to ace an interview. Kindergarten assistant teacher interview questions will focus on your ability to handle different situations, work with children, and handle classroom management.

In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you certified to teach kindergarten?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have the necessary qualifications for teaching kindergarten. If you are not certified, explain what steps you took to become a teacher and how long it took you to get your certification.

Example: “I am currently working on my certification in early childhood education. I started taking classes last year and should be finished by next summer. I chose to pursue this certification because I love working with children and want to make sure that I’m giving them the best education possible.”

What are some of your favorite activities to do with kindergarten students?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you interact with students. When answering, it can be helpful to mention activities that are fun for the students but also help them develop important skills.

Example: “I love doing crafts with my students because they’re so excited to create something new. I find that many of my students have a natural artistic ability, which is really exciting to see. Crafts are also a great way to teach kids how to follow directions and work together as a team. Another activity I enjoy is playing games in the classroom. Games like ‘Simon Says’ and ‘Red Light, Green Light’ are fun ways to get kids up and moving while practicing listening skills.”

How would you handle a situation where a student is being disruptive in class?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your classroom management skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation that could potentially disrupt the learning environment for other students. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to address the issue and get the student back on task.

Example: “If I notice a student is being disruptive in class, I first try to redirect their attention by asking them a question or getting them involved in an activity. If they continue to be disruptive after that, I will have a private conversation with them to find out what’s distracting them. Sometimes it’s something as simple as needing to use the restroom. Once I understand the problem, I can help them solve it so they can focus again.”

What is your teaching philosophy?

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan to implement it in their classroom. When answering, think of a few key principles that guide your teaching methods. Explain how these principles help students learn and develop important skills.

Example: “My teaching philosophy is centered on creating an inclusive learning environment for all students. I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, so I make sure to provide equal attention and resources to each student. In my last role, I had a class with many English language learners, and I made sure to include visuals and other strategies to support them. This helped me create lessons that were engaging for everyone.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to step in to help a teacher who was struggling to manage the class.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stressful situations and whether you have experience working with a team. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my first year of teaching, I had a substitute teacher who was having trouble managing the class. The students were getting restless and started acting out. I stepped in to help by asking them questions about what they were learning that day so we could get their attention back on the lesson. This helped calm the students down and allowed the sub to finish the rest of the class without any further issues.”

If a parent was dissatisfied with how their child was progressing in your class, how would you handle the situation?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to work with parents and communicate effectively.

Example: “If a parent was dissatisfied with their child’s progress in my class, I would first listen to what they had to say and take notes on the concerns they raised. Then, I would meet with the student individually to see if there were any issues that could be resolved. If not, I would schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss strategies for helping the student succeed.”

What would you do if you noticed a student was struggling with a concept that you knew they had already mastered?

Interviewers want to know how you handle challenges and setbacks. They also want to see if you can identify when a student is struggling, even if they don’t tell you themselves. Your answer should show that you are observant and empathetic.

Example: “I would first ask the student what was confusing about the concept. I would then explain it in different ways until they understood. If they still didn’t understand after that, I would find another way to help them learn the concept. For example, I might use manipulatives or have them work with a partner.”

How well do you handle criticism?

As an assistant teacher, you may need to receive feedback from your principal or other teachers. Interviewers want to know that you can take criticism and use it to improve yourself as a teacher. Use examples of how you’ve used constructive criticism in the past to show them that you’re open to receiving feedback.

Example: “I understand that I’m still learning about teaching kindergarten students. In my last position, I received some constructive criticism from my principal on how I was handling recess time. I took her advice into consideration and implemented changes to my approach. The next week, parents commented on how their children were more engaged during class because they had more energy after recess.”

Do you have any suggestions for how we could improve the classroom environment?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you would implement changes in the classroom. They want to know that you can work with others and communicate your ideas effectively. In your answer, try to think of a specific change you made at your previous job and explain why it was beneficial for students.

Example: “I noticed that some of the desks were wobbly, which could be dangerous if children are standing up or sitting on the edge of their seats. I spoke to my principal about getting new desks, and we decided to raise funds by selling snacks after school. We raised enough money to buy new desks, and parents loved knowing their kids were eating healthy snacks.”

When working with a student one-on-one, what is your preferred method of communication?

Assistant teachers often work with students one-on-one to help them learn and develop their skills. The interviewer wants to know how you will communicate with the student during these sessions. Describe your preferred method of communication, as well as any alternative methods that you are comfortable using.

Example: “I prefer to use visuals when working with a student one-on-one. I find it easier for the student to understand what I am saying if I can show them an example or draw something on the board. If they have questions about my drawings, I try to answer them in a way that is easy for them to understand.”

We want to ensure that our students are well-nourished. How would you go about ensuring that everyone has food on snack day?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your organizational skills and ability to plan ahead. In your answer, demonstrate how you would ensure that students have food on snack day and also show the interviewer that you understand the importance of nutrition in a child’s development.

Example: “I always make sure I pack my own snacks for school so that I can provide healthy options for myself as well as other teachers and students. On snack days, I will bring extra fruit or vegetables to share with the class. If there are any children who don’t have enough food at home, I will try to give them some of mine.”

Describe your process for preparing a lesson plan.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan for lessons. Use examples from past experiences to describe the steps you take when creating a lesson plan, including how you decide on what activities or resources to use in class.

Example: “I start by reading through my students’ assessment results to get an idea of their strengths and weaknesses. Then I meet with the teacher to discuss any concerns they have about individual students. From there, I create a list of objectives that I want to cover during each day of the week. I try to include multiple learning styles so that all students can understand the material. Finally, I make sure to include fun activities and hands-on projects to keep students engaged.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your qualifications and experience. It’s also a chance to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research about this role and school. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific skills or experiences that match what the employer is looking for in their ideal candidate.

Example: “I am passionate about working with children of all abilities and helping them succeed. I have extensive training in special education techniques and strategies for supporting students who learn differently than others. In my last position, I helped develop a program for students with learning disabilities that was so successful, the district adopted it as part of its curriculum.”

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.

Example: “I find that hands-on learning is one of the most effective ways for students to retain information. I also like to incorporate technology into my lessons whenever possible because it’s an engaging way to help kids understand concepts. For example, when teaching fractions, I use apps on our tablets to show students different ways they can divide objects.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a kindergarten assistant to possess?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the skills necessary for this role. You can answer this question by identifying a skill and explaining how it helps you in your work as an assistant teacher.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a kindergarten assistant is patience. Kindergarten students are at such a young age, so they’re still learning many things about the world around them. I find that having patience with these children allows me to help them learn new concepts more easily. For example, when I’m patient with a student who’s struggling to write their name, I can give them encouragement and praise while also helping them figure out what they need to do next.”

How often would you update the class calendar?

The interviewer wants to know how you plan your day and the students’ days. Showcase your organizational skills by describing how you would create a calendar for the class, including any tools or apps you might use.

Example: “I have an app on my phone that I use to keep track of all of my appointments and events. I also use it to make sure I’m not teaching conflicting lessons. For example, if we’re learning about animals in science, I won’t schedule anything with animals as the main focus. In my last position, I created a shared Google Calendar where I could add upcoming events and assignments so everyone in the class knew what was coming up.”

There is a field trip scheduled for a day where the weather won’t be ideal. What would you do?

Field trips are an important part of a student’s education, but they can also be canceled due to inclement weather. An interviewer may ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle unexpected situations like these. In your answer, explain that you would first check with the school principal or other authority figure to see if the trip could be rescheduled for another day. If it cannot, you should discuss alternative plans with the students and teachers involved in the field trip.

Example: “I understand how important field trips are to a child’s learning experience. I would first try to reschedule the trip for another day if possible. If not, I would talk to the teacher about what we could do instead of going on the field trip. For example, we could watch videos online about the places we were planning to visit. We could also use our time to learn more about the place by reading books about it.