17 Lead Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

As a lead teacher, you’re responsible for managing a classroom, developing lesson plans, and ensuring that all students in your class are on track academically. You also need to be able to handle any discipline issues that may arise.

If you’re looking for a lead teacher job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One way to prepare for this important meeting is to learn how to answer lead teacher interview questions before talking with an interviewer.

Employers look for lead teachers who are patient, responsible, organized, and able to work well with others. You’ll also need to have a strong knowledge of early childhood education and development. A lead teacher interview is your chance to show that you’ve polished these skills to a shine. To help you get ready, we’ve listed lead teacher questions and answers that will help you figure out what you want to say during an interview.

Are you comfortable planning and implementing lessons on your own?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you plan lessons. Use examples from previous experiences where you planned a lesson on your own, or describe what steps you would take if you had never done it before.

Example: “In my current role as lead teacher, I am responsible for planning all of the lessons we do in class each day. I start by reading through our curriculum guide and making notes of any questions I have. Then, I meet with my teaching partner to discuss these questions and decide which ones we can answer together and which ones I will need to research myself. After that, I create an outline for the entire week’s worth of lessons and then write out specific instructions for each day.”

What are some of the most important qualities that a lead teacher should have?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and abilities needed for the job. They want someone who is organized, patient, creative and a strong communicator. When answering this question, think about what qualities helped you succeed in your previous roles.

Example: “I believe that patience and organization are two of the most important qualities a lead teacher can have. As a lead teacher, I would be responsible for managing many different tasks at once. It’s important to me that I am able to stay calm under pressure and keep track of all my responsibilities. Being organized also helps me feel more confident when it comes to making decisions. If I know where everything is, I can find information quickly.”

How would you handle a situation where a student or parent was unhappy with the progress they were making in your class?

Interviewers want to know how you handle conflict and address concerns. They also want to see that you can remain calm in challenging situations. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you are willing to listen to all sides of an issue and respond with empathy and professionalism.

Example: “I would first ask for more information about their concerns so I could understand them better. Then, I would schedule a meeting with the student or parent to discuss their concerns and find out what they think is causing the problem. If it’s something we can fix, I will do my best to help them come up with solutions. If there isn’t anything I can do, I will explain why and offer to connect them with someone who may be able to help.”

What is your experience with developing curriculum?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with curriculum development and how you plan lessons for students. Use examples from past experiences to explain what steps you take when developing a new curriculum or modifying an existing one.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating the curriculum for all subjects in the classroom. I started by researching different curriculums that were available online and then narrowed them down based on the age group of the students. Next, I met with other teachers who taught similar grade levels to discuss which curriculum we thought would be best for our students. After discussing it with parents, we decided on a curriculum that fit the needs of the students.”

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

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your classroom management skills. They want to know how you handle a situation when students are misbehaving and how you can keep the rest of the class focused on learning. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to resolve the issue while also emphasizing your ability to maintain order in the classroom.

Example: “In my previous role as a kindergarten teacher, I had one student who was constantly disrupting the class. He would talk out of turn, throw things and even run around the room during lessons. At first, I tried talking with him privately to see if there was anything going on at home that might be causing his behavior. However, he didn’t give me any answers. So, I decided to take away some of his privileges, such as recess time, until he could show improvement.”

If you could make one change to the education system, what would it be?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your leadership skills and how you would implement change. Your answer should show that you are passionate about education, but also realistic in terms of what changes can be made.

Example: “I think it’s important to have more funding available for schools so teachers can get the supplies they need to teach effectively. I’d like to see an increase in teacher salaries as well, since many educators leave the profession due to low pay.”

What would you do if you noticed a student was struggling, but their parents insisted they were doing fine?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can be honest with parents and students, even if it’s not what they want to hear. In your answer, explain that you would try to find a way to help the student without upsetting their parents.

Example: “I have had this situation happen before at my previous school. I noticed one of my students was struggling in math but his parents insisted he was doing fine. I asked him to stay after class for a few minutes so we could talk privately. He told me that he didn’t understand some of the concepts in math and needed extra help. I offered to tutor him during lunch or after school until he felt more comfortable.”

How well do you handle stress?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your ability to handle challenges and remain calm in a high-pressure environment. As a lead teacher, you’ll likely encounter many stressful situations throughout the day, so it’s important for an interviewer to understand how you respond to these challenges. In your answer, try to describe a specific situation where you handled stress well and what steps you took to manage it effectively.

Example: “I think that handling stress is an important part of being a successful educator. I’ve had several challenging days at work, but I always make sure to take time to relax and reflect on my actions. When I feel overwhelmed, I find that taking a few minutes to breathe deeply can help me regain focus and energy. I also find that talking through problems with other teachers or administrators can be helpful when I’m feeling stressed.”

Do you have any experience working with special needs students?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with students who require special attention. If you do, explain how you helped these students succeed in your classroom and what strategies you used.

Example: “I’ve worked with several students with learning disabilities throughout my career as a teacher. I always make sure to provide them with extra time on assignments and tests so they can complete their work without feeling rushed. In addition, I use visuals and other teaching methods that help students understand the material more easily. For example, I once had a student who struggled with math concepts. To help him learn his multiplication tables, I created flashcards for each number from one through 12. He would practice using these flashcards at home until he memorized all of the answers.”

When was the last time you took professional development courses?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you are committed to your own professional development. They want to know that you’re willing to learn new things and improve yourself as a teacher. When answering, think about the last time you took a course or participated in an activity that helped you become a better educator.

Example: “The last time I took a professional development course was when I attended my state’s annual conference for educators. There were so many different workshops and presentations on various topics, and I chose several that interested me. One of them was about how to help students with dyslexia, which is something I’ve never taught before but am very excited to try.”

We want to improve our communication with parents. How would you go about doing that?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan to improve a specific aspect of their school. It also shows them that you’re willing to take on new challenges and implement changes in your work environment. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have experience with communicating with parents and other stakeholders.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to improve communication is through regular meetings. I would hold weekly parent-teacher conferences where I could answer any questions they may have about their child’s progress or behavior. This way, parents can get answers right away instead of having to wait until report cards come out at the end of the semester.”

Describe your teaching style.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with their school’s culture. When answering, think about what you believe is most important for students to learn in a classroom setting. Explain why these skills are important and how they help students succeed.

Example: “I believe that the most important thing I can teach my students is how to be independent learners. In order to prepare them for life after graduation, I want them to know how to find information on their own, solve problems independently and work well with others. To achieve this, I try to make sure each lesson has an element of hands-on learning so students can practice using the skills we’re practicing in class.”

What makes you qualified for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the position. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their school and how you can help them achieve their goals. Before your interview, make a list of all your relevant experience and education. Choose two or three things from your list that are most important for this role. Share these with the interviewer so they understand why you’re qualified.

Example: “I have five years of teaching experience in both elementary and middle schools. I also have my master’s degree in education, which means I am highly qualified for this position. My previous experience has taught me many valuable lessons, including how to manage a classroom full of students and how to create lesson plans that engage students. These skills will be useful as lead teacher.”

Which teaching methods do you find to be the most effective?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you implement different methods in the classroom. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few specific strategies that have helped you engage students or improve their learning experience.

Example: “I find hands-on activities to be one of the most effective ways to teach my students new concepts. For example, when I taught third grade, we were learning about the water cycle. To help them understand the concept better, I had them create their own water cycle using recycled materials. They loved being able to get up and move around while still learning something new.”

What do you think is the most important thing a lead teacher can do for their students?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your teaching philosophy. It’s important to show that you value the importance of each student and their unique needs. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what has helped you succeed as a teacher in the past.

Example: “I believe the most important thing a lead teacher can do for students is provide them with a safe learning environment where they feel comfortable asking questions. I’ve found that when students feel confident in their ability to ask questions, they’re more likely to try new things and take risks. This helps them develop into lifelong learners who are excited to explore new subjects.”

How often do you give yourself feedback on your performance as a teacher?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your self-evaluation process. They want to know how often you reflect on your teaching methods and whether you’re open to feedback from others. In your answer, try to explain that you regularly evaluate your performance as a teacher and seek out constructive criticism when needed.

Example: “I give myself regular feedback on my performance as a teacher. I use the end of each school year to reflect on my lessons and assess which ones were most effective for students. I also take time during the summer months to look back at my previous year’s lesson plans and make any necessary changes or additions. I find it helpful to get input from other teachers and parents on my lessons throughout the year so I can adjust them if needed.”

There is a bug in the software that you use for lesson planning. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle problems and challenges. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to take initiative when something goes wrong. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to fix the bug and how you would ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I recently had this problem with my lesson planning software. I immediately contacted the company who made the software and explained the issue. They were able to help me fix the bug within 24 hours. I always make sure to contact the company if there’s an issue with their product so they can resolve it as quickly as possible.”