What gives you the greatest pleasure in teaching?

     Q:  What gives you the greatest pleasure in teaching?

     A:   I call it the “light bulb effect.”  It’s that time in a lesson, a unit, a whole class discussion when a student “gets it” – when that proverbial light bulb goes off over his or her head.  There’s nothing like it in the world!  It’s when that look of recognition crosses a student’s face, when a student exclaims, “Hey, this is really cool!”, or when a student jumps up and down with unmitigated excitement.  There’s a joy in the discovery and there’s an enthusiasm in the voice as students realize that they now understand something they didn’t previously.  That’s what I want to work for with all my students.  I want them all to experience that “light bulb effect” in each and every subject throughout the school year.

            Your answer should underscore your reasons for becoming a teacher.  Your response should be a validation of why you decided to enter this profession and what you will do in order to be one of the best.  Most importantly, there should be passion in your response!

How Would You Describe the Ideal Teacher?

     Q:  How would you describe the ideal teacher?

     A:   The ideal teacher is someone who embraces and practices several standards of good teaching.  While there are many standards I believe that three are critical and necessary for good teaching to take place.  These include 1) The ideal teacher understands how children learn and can develop learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.  2) The ideal teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.  And, 3) The ideal teacher understands and uses formal and informal assessment strategies that ensure the continuous intellectual development of all learners.  While these are certainly not the only standards good teachers should practice, I believe them to be three of the most important.  They are certainly ones I practice every day I'm with children.

            This is a question you’re likely to be asked near the beginning of the interview.  Then, the interviewer will try to determine (throughout the remainder of the interview) if, indeed, you are the candidate who best exemplifies these ideals.  Thus it’s important that you know what good teachers do and how you match up to those standards.  Be sure you share that "match" with the interviewer, too.