20 New York City Department of Education Interview Questions and Answers

The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is the branch of municipal government in New York City that manages the city’s public schools. The NYCDOE is the largest school district in the United States, with over 1.1 million students enrolled in over 2,700 schools.

The NYCDOE hires thousands of employees each year, and the interview process can be competitive. To give yourself the best chance of being hired, it’s important to be prepared for the specific interview questions that the NYCDOE is known to ask.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the NYCDOE and its interview process, and provide a list of sample questions that you may be asked during an interview with the NYCDOE.

New York City Department of Education Interview Process

The interview process at New York City Department of Education can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Substitute Paraprofessional, Janitor, and Sub Paraprofessional positions have a basic exam followed by an interview. For Substitute Teacher, CENTRAL OFFICE, and Administrative Assistant positions, there is a series of multiple interviews. The Teacher interview process is dependent on the school you apply to. Some are confusing; some are not scheduled well; some seem to be not as serious as others. Special Education Teacher and Speech-Language Pathologist interviews include a demo lesson. For Early Childhood Teacher, Lead Teacher, and Executive Assitant positions, video demos are required in addition to the interview.

1. Why do you want to work in the NYC Public School System?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interest in working for the New York City Department of Education. To answer this question, you can share a personal story that relates to why you want to work with children and how you hope to make an impact on their lives.

Example: “I have always wanted to be a teacher because I believe education is one of the most important things we can give our children. When I was younger, my parents could not afford private school tuition, so I attended public schools throughout my childhood. However, even though I had teachers who were underpaid and overworked, they still made sure I learned everything I needed to know. I would love to help other students get the same quality education I did.”

2. Tell me about a time where you worked with a student who had behavioral issues, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience with students who have special needs or behavioral issues. This can help them determine if you are prepared for the challenges of working in a large school district like NYCDOE. When answering, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you helped these students and what strategies you used.

Example: “In my current position as an elementary school teacher, I’ve worked with several students who had behavioral issues. One student that comes to mind was a fifth-grader who would often disrupt class by talking out of turn. Rather than immediately disciplining him, I decided to try a different approach. I asked him to stay after class one day so we could talk about his behavior. He told me he was nervous because he didn’t understand the material. We talked through some of the concepts together, and he seemed much more confident when he returned to class.”

3. What would you do if you saw another teacher acting unprofessionally?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle conflict and ensure that you can work well with others. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you are willing to speak up when necessary and that you value professionalism in the workplace.

Example: “If I saw another teacher acting unprofessionally, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. If they did not change their behavior after our conversation, I would report it to my principal or other school administrator so that they could take appropriate action.”

4. How would you communicate an idea to your students effectively?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you would use them in the classroom. To answer, think of a time when you had to explain an idea or concept to students and discuss what methods you used to help them understand it.

Example: “I find that using visuals is one of the best ways to communicate ideas to my students. For example, I once taught a lesson on the different types of clouds and found that showing pictures of each type helped my students remember which ones were cumulus, cirrus and stratus.”

5. Provide an example of when you delivered excellent customer service to someone.

Customer service is an important part of working in education, and the interviewer may want to know how you would interact with parents or guardians. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively.

Example: “When I worked as a teacher’s aide at my high school, I was responsible for answering phones during office hours. One day, I answered the phone and it was a parent who wanted to speak to their child’s math teacher. I asked them what they needed from the teacher and then transferred the call to her line so she could handle it.”

6. Give an example of a time when you were asked to go above and beyond what was expected of you.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to work hard. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an example of when you were able to exceed expectations in a situation that was challenging or required extra effort.

Example: “In my previous role as a teacher’s aide, I was asked to help with the morning announcements every day before class started. This was something that wasn’t expected of me, but I agreed because I wanted to help out where I could. After a few weeks, the regular announcer fell ill and couldn’t make it to school. I stepped up and did the announcements myself for two days until she returned.”

7. What is one thing that you feel separates you from other applicants?

This question is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you are confident in your abilities and have unique qualities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you different from other applicants and how those skills could benefit the school district.

Example: “I feel like one thing that separates me from other applicants is my passion for education. I am committed to making sure every child has access to an excellent education, which is why I became a teacher in the first place. In fact, I was even willing to move across the country to get into this position because I knew it would help me make a difference in children’s lives.”

8. Describe a lesson you have prepared for your class before.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you plan lessons. To answer, think of a time when you planned a lesson for your class that was successful or innovative.

Example: “I once taught my students about the importance of recycling by having them create their own comic books with recycled materials. I gave each student a stack of old newspapers and magazines, some glue sticks and crayons and let them work in pairs to make their comics. The students had so much fun making their comics that they didn’t even realize they were learning something important.”

9. Do you have any experience working with students with special needs?

The NYCDOE is responsible for educating students with special needs, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience working with these students. If you do, explain how you handled the situation or what strategies you used to help them succeed in school.

Example: “I worked as a teacher’s aide at an elementary school that had a special education program. I assisted teachers by helping students get ready for class, handing out materials and assisting with small group activities. The school also had a resource room where I helped students who needed extra assistance with their work.”

10. Are you comfortable dealing with children?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience working with children. If you do, they may want to know more about your background and how it relates to the position. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can explain why and what other types of work you’ve done that are similar.

Example: “I worked as a camp counselor for five years, so I am very comfortable working with children. In fact, I love being around them because they’re always so eager to learn new things. I think my skills as a camp counselor would translate well into this role.”

11. How does collaborating with colleagues as part of a team help benefit you as an educator?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. Use examples from past experiences where you’ve worked as part of a team to accomplish goals or solve problems.

Example: “I believe that collaborating with my colleagues is an important aspect of being an educator because it allows me to share ideas, resources and best practices with other educators. In my current role, I regularly meet with my department’s leadership team to discuss new initiatives and strategies for improving student performance. We also use these meetings to brainstorm solutions to common challenges we face in the classroom.”

12. If you were hired today, how long would you stay with the company?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your commitment level. If you are a recent graduate, they may want to know how long you plan on staying with the company. If you have more experience, they may be looking for an answer that shows loyalty and dedication.

Example: “I am committed to my career in education and would like to stay at this school district as long as I can. I believe in the mission of the NYCDOE and feel that it is important to give back to the community.”

13. How do you think you could make a difference at this school?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have done some research on the school and are eager to make an impact. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific things about the school that you admire or any goals you would like to help achieve.

Example: “I think I could make a difference at this school by helping students feel more comfortable in their learning environment. In my last position, I noticed that many of the students were hesitant to ask questions during class because they didn’t want to raise their hand. I started holding weekly office hours where students could come talk to me one-on-one if they had any questions or concerns. This helped them feel more comfortable asking questions in class and boosted test scores.”

14. Do you have any experience teaching children who are not native English speakers?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with students who are learning English as a second language. If you do, they may want to know how you handled the situation and what strategies you used to help these students succeed in your classroom.

Example: “I had one student in my last position who was not yet fluent in English. I made sure that she always understood what we were doing in class by using visual aids and gestures when explaining concepts. I also tried to speak slowly and clearly so she could understand me better.”

15. Have you ever been fired or forced to resign from a position?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to determine how honest you are. If you have been fired or forced to resign from a position, be honest about the reason why. Explain what steps you took to improve yourself and show that you’ve learned from your mistakes.

Example: “I was once hired as an elementary school teacher but then fired after only two weeks on the job. I had no experience teaching children, so I thought I could wing it. However, when I realized I wasn’t doing well at all, I resigned and enrolled in a certification program for teachers. After completing the program, I applied for another teaching position and got the job.”

16. What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and values. This is also a good opportunity for you to show that you are an active learner who stays up-to-date on current events, educational trends or other relevant topics.

Example: “I recently read an article about the importance of recess in children’s development. I think it’s important to give kids time to play outside during the school day because it helps them develop social skills and physical fitness. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety.”

17. An elementary school principal wants to implement a new policy at their school. The teachers tell them they disagree with it. How should the principal proceed?

The interviewer wants to know how you would handle a situation like this one. They want to see that you can work with others and compromise when necessary.

Example: “I would first ask the teachers why they disagree with the policy. I would try to understand their concerns and find out what changes they would be willing to make. Then, I would meet with the principal again and explain my understanding of the teachers’ concerns. I would suggest compromises that could help both sides feel more comfortable with the new policy.”

18. Tell me about a time where you overcame adversity.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you overcame a challenge. When answering, try to provide specific details about the situation and what actions you took to overcome it.

Example: “When I was in high school, my family moved from New York City to a small town in Pennsylvania. This meant that I had to change schools and leave behind all of my friends. However, I knew that if I wanted to get into college, I would have to make new friends. So, I decided to join several clubs at my new school and made many new friends.”

19. What techniques do you use to keep your students engaged and interested in your lessons?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching methods and how you plan lessons. You can answer this question by describing a specific technique or two that you use in the classroom, such as group work or hands-on activities.

Example: “I find that my students are most engaged when I incorporate real-world applications into my lessons. For example, if I am teaching them about the water cycle, I will take them outside to see what happens to rainwater after it hits the ground. This helps them understand concepts better because they can relate them to their own experiences.”

20. Would you be willing to tutor children after school hours?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your commitment to the students and their success. If you are applying for a teaching position, it is likely that you will be expected to tutor students after school hours. In your answer, explain why tutoring is important to you and how you would approach this task.

Example: “I believe that every child deserves an equal opportunity at education. I am happy to tutor children after school hours if needed. I think it’s important to make sure that each student has one-on-one attention when they need it most.”