17 STEAM Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education is becoming more important than ever as the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology. STEAM jobs are some of the most in-demand jobs in the world, and with the right training, you can be the one to fill them.

One of the best ways to prepare for a STEAM teaching job interview is to familiarize yourself with the most common STEAM teacher interview questions and answers. In this guide, you’ll find questions about your teaching experience, your STEAM knowledge, and your ability to engage students in STEAM topics.

We also provide sample responses to help you formulate your own answers to common STEAM teaching interview questions. With the right preparation, you can feel confident walking into your interview and landing your dream STEAM teaching job.

Are you familiar with the STEAM approach to education?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your knowledge of the STEAM approach and how you would apply it in your classroom. If you are unfamiliar with the term, you can explain what you know about STEAM education and describe how you would implement its principles into your teaching style.

Example: “I am familiar with the STEAM approach to education because I have used it in my previous role as a teacher. In my last position, we implemented STEAM projects into our curriculum twice per week. For these lessons, students worked in groups to solve problems using their creativity and critical thinking skills. They also learned how to use technology tools like coding software to complete their assignments.”

What are some of the creative ways you use technology in your classroom?

STEAM teachers often use technology to enhance their lessons and engage students. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you incorporate STEAM into the classroom. In your answer, describe a specific project or activity that involved using technology in an innovative way.

Example: “I recently used augmented reality with my fifth-grade class to teach them about ecosystems. I created a digital ecosystem on the SMART board where they could add plants, animals and other elements. Students were able to move around the environment and interact with it by adding different objects. This was a fun way for them to learn about ecosystems while also practicing their coding skills.”

How do you incorporate art into your lessons?

STEAM is an educational approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math with art. Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how you incorporate STEAM into the classroom. In your answer, explain a specific example of how you used art in a lesson plan.

Example: “I believe that art can be a great way for students to express their creativity while learning new concepts. For my last STEAM class, I taught my students about color theory by having them create their own paintings using complementary colors. The students had fun creating their pieces, and they learned a lot about color theory as well.”

What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a teacher and how passionate you are about your work. Your answer should show that you enjoy teaching, but also why you like this particular subject.

Example: “My favorite subject to teach is math because I love seeing students discover new concepts and learn to apply them in real-world situations. For example, when I taught fifth grade, my students were learning about fractions. We started by learning basic fraction terminology and then moved on to comparing different types of fractions. After we learned these skills, we applied them to real-life scenarios such as ordering food at restaurants.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a difficult situation with a student or parent.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

Example: “In my last role, I had a student who was struggling with the material in class. The student’s parents were adamant that their child should be able to complete all of the work without any help. After speaking with the student one-on-one, I learned that they didn’t understand how to use the software we used in class. I explained to the parents that it would take some time for their son to get comfortable using the program. They agreed to let me provide extra support until he felt confident enough to do the work on his own.”

If you could teach any subject, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to show your passion for teaching and the subjects you’re most passionate about. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific subject or two that you enjoy and why.

Example: “If I could teach any subject, I would definitely choose math. Math has always been my favorite subject because of how logical it is. It’s so interesting to me to see how numbers relate to each other and how they can help us understand the world around us. If I had more time in school, I would have loved to take more advanced math classes.”

What would you do if you realized you made a mistake in front of your class?

Mistakes are a natural part of teaching, and interviewers want to know that you can recover from them in front of your students. Your answer should show the interviewer that you’re confident enough to admit when you make a mistake and how you’ll fix it.

Example: “I once taught my class about the different types of rocks, but I accidentally said granite was a sedimentary rock instead of an igneous rock. When I realized my mistake, I immediately corrected myself and explained why I made the mistake. Then, I told my students that they could always ask me questions if they didn’t understand something.”

How well do you handle criticism?

Teachers often receive feedback from their students and parents. Interviewers want to know how you respond to criticism, especially if they plan to give you constructive feedback during your time as a teacher. Use examples of past experiences where you received negative feedback and how you used it to improve yourself or your teaching methods.

Example: “I understand that receiving criticism is part of the job. I always welcome feedback because it helps me learn more about my strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. In my last position, I had a parent who was upset with one of my grading policies. They felt like I should have given their child extra credit for an assignment they missed. Instead of getting defensive, I listened to what they had to say and explained why I couldn’t change the grade. The student ended up passing the class.”

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 have special needs. Special education teachers often work with students who have learning disabilities, behavioral issues or other challenges that affect their ability to learn in a traditional classroom setting. If you do not have any experience working with special needs students, consider sharing an example of how you would handle such a situation.

Example: “I’ve never worked with special needs students, but I am familiar with the different types of disabilities and disorders. In my previous role as a teacher, one of my students had ADHD. I was able to help him by providing extra support during class and creating lesson plans that were more hands-on and engaging for him.”

When is it appropriate to give students extra help?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching philosophy and how you support students who need extra help. In your answer, explain what factors influence whether or not you provide additional assistance to a student.

Example: “I believe it’s important for all students to feel successful in the classroom. If I notice that a student is struggling with a concept, I first try to offer them one-on-one instruction during class time. If they still have trouble after that, I will make arrangements to meet with them outside of class so they can get the extra attention they need. For example, if a student needs help understanding a math concept, I might give them an online quiz to complete at home. This gives me time to review their work and provide feedback before the next day.”

We want our teachers to be passionate about STEAM education. How do you get your students excited about learning?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your teaching style and how you plan lessons. Use examples from past experiences to explain what motivates you to teach STEAM education and how you encourage students to be excited about learning.

Example: “I think it’s important for my students to have fun while they’re learning, so I try to make sure that all of my lessons are engaging and hands-on. For example, in one class we learned about different types of energy by creating our own kinetic sculptures. The lesson was challenging but also really fun, which helped me connect with my students and show them that science is something they can enjoy.”

Describe your teaching style.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with their school’s approach. To answer, you can describe the methods you use in the classroom and why they work for you. You can also mention any certifications or training you have that support your teaching style.

Example: “I believe that a student learns best when they’re actively engaged in the lesson. I try to make my lessons fun and engaging by using hands-on activities and games. For example, if we were learning about plants, I would bring in some live plants so students could observe them up close. This helps me keep students interested and excited about what they’re learning.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates applying for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their school. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any certifications or degrees you have.

Example: “I am passionate about STEAM education and believe it is important for students to be exposed to these subjects at an early age. I also think it’s crucial for teachers to understand coding and robotics because they are valuable tools in today’s world. In my previous position, I taught coding classes to elementary students and helped them develop basic programming skills. This experience has given me confidence that I can teach coding to older students as well.”

Which teaching methods do you prefer?

STEAM teachers often use a variety of teaching methods to engage students and encourage them to learn. Interviewers want to know which teaching methods you prefer so they can determine if your preferences align with the school’s curriculum. In your answer, explain which teaching methods you find most effective and why.

Example: “I believe that hands-on learning is one of the best ways to teach students about STEAM subjects. When I taught my last class, we had several projects where students learned by doing. For example, when we studied the solar system, we built our own model solar system using LEGOs. This allowed students to see how the planets moved in relation to each other and understand the concept better.”

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

This question is a great way to show your passion for teaching and how you can make an impact on students. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what you think is most important and why.

Example: “I believe the most important thing a teacher can do for their students is inspire them to learn more. I love watching my students get excited about learning new things and seeing that light bulb moment when they understand something new. It makes me feel so accomplished as a teacher to know that I helped someone reach that point in their education.”

How often do you update your lesson plans?

STEAM teachers often need to be creative and innovative in their teaching methods. Interviewers want to know how you plan your lessons, so they can understand if you have the skills necessary for this role. In your answer, explain that you are a highly organized person who is able to create lesson plans quickly.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which makes it easy for me to update my lesson plans regularly. I usually make changes to my lesson plans every week or two depending on what we’re learning. This helps keep students engaged because I’m always introducing new concepts and ideas.”

There is a new trend in education. Would you be willing to try something new in your classroom?

This question is a great way to see how open-minded the candidate is. It also shows that they are willing to learn and adapt as needed. When answering this question, it’s important to show you’re willing to try new things while still being confident in your current teaching methods.

Example: “I’m always looking for ways to improve my classroom. I would be happy to try something new if it helps students learn more or makes lessons more engaging. However, I am not someone who will change everything about their teaching style just because there is a new trend. I believe that education should be focused on fundamentals first.”