17 Learning Support Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

A learning support teacher helps students who are struggling in school. He or she may work with students in a regular classroom or in a special education setting. Learning support teachers work with students to improve their academic skills and help them succeed in school.

If you’re applying for a job as a learning support teacher, you’ll likely be asked a range of questions about your teaching experience, your approach to helping students, and your knowledge of special education. In this guide, we’ll provide you with sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you certified to teach students with special needs?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine whether you have the necessary certification for teaching students with special needs. If you are not certified, explain what steps you took to become certified and when you plan to complete your certification requirements.

Example: “I am currently working on my certification in special education. I started the process of becoming a special education teacher two years ago and hope to finish all of my coursework by next year. I believe that having a special education certification is important because it allows me to understand how to best support students who need additional learning resources.”

What are some of the most effective strategies you use to help your students learn?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you implement strategies that help students succeed. Use examples from your experience as a learning support teacher to explain the methods you use to teach concepts, encourage student participation and motivate students to achieve their goals.

Example: “I believe in using multiple approaches to teaching so I can reach all of my students. For example, when I taught fifth grade math, I used both traditional instruction and hands-on activities to engage my students. This helped me find out which methods worked best for each individual student. I also make sure to give positive feedback to my students often so they know what they’re doing well and what areas they need to improve on.”

How do you handle a student who is misbehaving in class?

Learning support teachers often work with students who are struggling to learn in the classroom. The interviewer wants to know how you handle a student who is misbehaving and ensure that they stay focused on their learning. Use examples from your experience of handling challenging students and explain what strategies you used to help them focus on their learning.

Example: “I have worked with many students who were distracted or disruptive in class, which can be frustrating for other students and the teacher. I use positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior and make sure that the student understands why their actions are disrupting the class. If the student continues to disrupt the class, I will remove them from the room until they calm down.”

What is your experience working with students who have a wide range of disabilities?

Learning support teachers often work with students who have a wide range of disabilities. The interviewer wants to know if you’ve had experience working with these types of students and how you handled the challenges that came along with it. Use examples from your previous job to show that you can handle this type of situation.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with students who had autism, ADHD, dyslexia, speech impediments and other learning disabilities. My first step was always to get to know each student individually so I could understand their needs. Then, I would create individualized lesson plans for each student based on their strengths and weaknesses. This allowed me to provide each student with the help they needed while also ensuring all students were getting an equal education.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to create an individualized learning plan for a student.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience creating individualized learning plans, also known as IEPs. This is a common responsibility of learning support teachers and one that you should be prepared to discuss in detail.

Example: “In my last role, I had a student who was struggling with reading comprehension. We started by identifying the areas where he needed help and then created an IEP for him. The IEP included specific goals we wanted him to achieve, such as improving his vocabulary and understanding figurative language. He worked on these goals throughout the year, and by the end of the school year, he had made significant improvements.”

If you had to choose one area of education to focus on, what would it be and why?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your passion and dedication to education. It also helps them understand what you value in teaching. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of education that you have experience with or one that you are passionate about.

Example: “I would choose math because I find it so interesting and challenging. Math requires students to think critically and use logic to solve problems. I love watching my students learn new concepts and develop their problem-solving skills. I feel like math is something they will use throughout their lives, which makes me want to do everything I can to help them succeed.”

What would you do if you noticed a student was struggling but their parents refused to let them see a specialist?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to work with parents to find solutions for their children’s learning needs.

Example: “I would first explain the importance of getting an evaluation from a specialist. If they still refused, I would continue to meet with them regularly to monitor their child’s progress. I would also encourage them to ask me questions about what I’m seeing in their child so we could come up with alternative ways to support their learning.”

How well do you handle stress while working with students who have challenging behaviors?

Learning support teachers often work with students who have behavioral challenges. These students may be acting out because they’re having a hard time learning or they may not understand what the teacher is trying to teach them. The interviewer wants to know how you handle these situations and if you can remain calm while working with these students.

Example: “I find that I am able to manage stress well when I prepare for my lessons ahead of time. When I’m prepared, I feel confident in my teaching methods and I don’t worry about whether or not I’ll be able to help all of my students learn. However, there are times when I encounter challenging behaviors from students. In these situations, I try to remain calm and use positive reinforcement techniques to redirect their behavior.”

Do you enjoy working with a team of teachers or do you prefer to work independently?

Learning support teachers often work with a team of other educators to ensure students receive the best possible learning experience. Interviewers want to know if you’re comfortable working in a collaborative environment and how you might contribute to that team.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed collaborating with my fellow teachers, especially when it comes to developing lesson plans or helping students learn new concepts. I find that having multiple perspectives on a problem can help us come up with more creative solutions. In my current position, I’m part of a small team of three learning support teachers who meet once a week to discuss our students’ progress and any challenges we may be facing.”

When working with students who have disabilities, do you believe it’s important to consider the student’s point of view?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to empathize with students who have disabilities. Empathy is an important skill for learning support teachers because it allows you to understand the challenges that students face and create a more inclusive classroom environment. In your answer, try to explain how empathy helps you relate to students with disabilities and improve their educational experience.

Example: “I believe it’s essential to consider the student’s point of view when working with them. I always make sure to communicate clearly with my students so they know what I expect from them in class. This helps me build rapport with students and gives them the opportunity to express themselves. It also makes it easier for me to understand their needs and develop strategies to help them succeed.”

We want to ensure our students are well-rounded. What extra-curricular activities would you recommend for our students?

Learning support teachers often work with students who may not have the same opportunities as their peers. Interviewers want to know that you’ll help your students find ways to develop their talents and interests outside of school.

Example: “I think it’s important for all students to feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. I would recommend finding out what each student is passionate about, whether it be sports or music or art, and connecting them with local organizations where they can pursue those passions. For example, if a student loves basketball, we could connect them with a local basketball team so they can practice with other players.”

Describe your teaching philosophy and how it relates to working with students who have disabilities.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan to support students with disabilities. Use examples from past experiences to describe your approach to learning, including the importance of collaboration, creativity and critical thinking in the classroom.

Example: “I believe that every student deserves a quality education regardless of their disability or learning needs. My philosophy is to create an inclusive environment where all students feel comfortable asking questions and expressing themselves. I also encourage my students to take risks and try new things because these experiences help them develop confidence and build skills they can use throughout life.”

What makes you the best candidate for this learning support teacher 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 the classroom. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are qualified for this position. Think about your education, experience and skills that relate to teaching learning support classes.

Example: “I am passionate about helping students who struggle with subjects like math or reading. I have always had an interest in these subjects, so I decided to pursue a career as a teacher. In my previous role, I helped students overcome challenges they were having with subjects like algebra and geometry. I also developed creative ways to teach concepts that made them easier to understand.”

Which learning styles do you prefer to use when teaching?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you interact with students. Your answer should include a brief description of the learning styles you prefer, along with an example of how you use them in your classroom.

Example: “I find that I am most effective when I teach using both visual and auditory methods. For instance, if I’m explaining a concept to my class, I will write it on the board for everyone to see and then repeat it aloud so they can hear me. This helps students who learn better visually or auditorily understand the material. I also like to incorporate movement into my lessons because research shows that physical activity can help students retain information.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when working with a student who has a different perspective than most?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle students who have different opinions or perspectives than the majority of your class. This can be an important skill for learning support teachers because they often work with students who are at varying levels of development and understanding.

Example: “I think it’s important to remember that everyone has a unique perspective, and we all learn in different ways. I try to make sure that I’m always listening to my students and making sure they feel heard. When I know they understand what I’m saying, I’ll repeat myself if necessary and give them time to process what I’ve said before moving on.”

How often would you like to see a student make progress?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your expectations for student improvement. Your answer should reflect a commitment to helping students make progress as often as possible, and you can describe how you would measure that progress in the classroom.

Example: “I believe it’s important to see progress from my students every day. I use frequent assessments to track their learning, so I know when they’re making improvements. If a student is struggling with a concept or skill, I try to help them understand it before the next assessment. This way, I can ensure they’ve made progress by the time we take another test.”

There is a lot of paperwork involved in this job. Are you good at multitasking while completing administrative tasks?

Learning support teachers often have to complete a lot of paperwork, including lesson plans and grading. Interviewers want to make sure you are organized enough to handle the administrative tasks that come with this job. In your answer, explain how you stay on top of all your responsibilities while still maintaining high-quality work.

Example: “I am very good at multitasking when it comes to administrative tasks. I find that if I get my work done early in the day, I can focus more on teaching during class time. I also use technology to help me organize my workflow. For example, I use an online grade book to keep track of students’ progress throughout the semester. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t miss any assignments.”