Question Overview: A teacher assistant is going to have to deal with a lot of different situations. From misbehaving students to children who are having a bad day, the teacher assistant is going to have to know how to handle the situation. This question will give you an idea of how they react in stressful situations.
Sample Answer: I would first try to understand why the child is acting out. If they are upset or frustrated, I would try to help them calm down and talk about their feelings. If they are acting out because they are bored or don't understand the material, I would try to explain the material in a way that they can understand.
Question Overview: A CPR certification is a requirement for most teaching assistant positions. It's important that the candidate is willing to take the time to become certified. It's also important that they are able to effectively teach CPR to students and faculty in case of an emergency.
Sample Answer: I am very interested in becoming a certified CPR instructor. I have taken a CPR course before, and I feel that it's important for all teachers and teacher assistants to be certified. I am willing to take the time to become certified so that I can help others in the event of an emergency.
Question Overview: This question will tell you if the candidate is a good communicator. They should be able to express their thoughts and feelings in a clear and concise manner.
Sample Answer: I am very open with my family. I like to talk about my day and share my thoughts and feelings with them. I also like to hear about their day and what they are doing.
Question Overview: There are going to be times when a student is having a bad day, or they're just having a hard time adjusting to the classroom. A good teacher assistant will be able to handle these situations with ease.
Sample Answer: I would try to find out what was bothering the child and why they were acting out. I would try to get them to open up and talk about their feelings. Then I would try to help them work through their problems in a way that would benefit them.
Question Overview: Children can be cruel to each other. There are times when a child may feel insecure about themselves and their abilities. It's important that the teacher assistant is able to help the child feel comfortable in their environment and encourage them to participate in class.
Sample Answer: I would try to get to know the child better. I would ask them about their interests and hobbies. I would also try to get them involved in class by asking them questions or having them participate in group activities.
Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the candidate is a good fit for your school. It's important that the teacher assistant is able to handle their own child's behavior in a professional manner. They should be able to give you an example of how they would handle their child's behavior in a professional manner.
Sample Answer: I would first ask my child why they were misbehaving. I would then explain to them why their behavior was inappropriate and how it affected others. If they continued to misbehave, I would take away privileges and explain why their behavior was wrong.
Question Overview: A teacher assistant is responsible for a lot of different tasks. They need to be able to prioritize their time effectively and make sure that they are completing their work in a timely manner. This question will tell you if the candidate has the organizational skills needed to get their work done on time.
Sample Answer: I have a very organized schedule that I follow every day. I have a daily planner that I use to keep track of my tasks and appointments. I also have a weekly planner that I use to plan out my lessons and activities for the week. I am very self-disciplined and always make sure that my work is completed on time.
Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the candidate has experience dealing with children who have behavioral issues. It's important to know how the candidate will react when a child is acting out.
Sample Answer: I would first try to determine what caused the child to act out. If it was due to a lack of understanding, I would try to explain the situation in a way that they could understand. If it was due to a lack of motivation, I would try to motivate them by explaining how their behavior is affecting their learning. If it was due to a lack of discipline, I would ask the teacher for advice on how to handle the situation.
Question Overview: Parents can be very demanding, especially if they have a child that is struggling in school. It's important that the teacher assistant is able to remain calm and professional when dealing with an angry parent.
Sample Answer: I have never had to deal with an angry parent, but I know that it's important to remain calm and professional. I would listen to what the parent has to say and try to understand where they are coming from. I would also try to explain the situation from my point of view and how I plan on resolving the problem.
Question Overview: The classroom can be a very stressful environment. There are a lot of factors that can contribute to stress, such as behavioral issues, lack of supplies and other problems that arise. A teacher assistant needs to be able to handle stressful situations with a cool head and be able to communicate effectively.
Sample Answer: I have been in stressful situations before, and I know how to handle them. I always try to remain calm and think rationally about the situation. I try to communicate with the teacher or other students involved in the situation so that we can work together to resolve it.
Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the candidate is in line with the school's teaching philosophy. They should be able to explain how they believe children learn best. An inexperienced teacher assistant may not be able to answer this question as thoroughly as a seasoned teacher assistant. It's important to ask this question, so you know where their ideologies and values lie.
Sample Answer: I believe that children learn best when they are engaged in the lesson. I try to make lessons fun and interactive so that the students are interested and want to learn more.
Question Overview: Conflicts are inevitable in any school setting. Teacher assistants will need to be able to resolve conflicts between students and between the teacher and the teacher assistant. This question will tell you if the candidate is able to handle conflicts in a professional manner.
Sample Answer: I have dealt with many conflicts during my tenure as a teacher assistant. I always remain calm and assertive. I don't make empty threats, and I always follow through with the appropriate disciplinary measure if it is needed.
Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the applicant has experience working with children. They should be able to speak about their previous work experience with knowledge and confidence. An inexperienced teacher assistant may not be able to answer this question as thoroughly as a seasoned teacher assistant. It's important to ask this question, so you know where their work experience lies.
Sample Answer: I have been a teacher assistant for the past four years at a local elementary school. I have worked with students from kindergarten to fifth grade. I have also worked with special needs students. I am comfortable working with children of all ages and personalities.
Question Overview: Motivation is a key factor in the success of a student. A teacher assistant needs to be able to motivate students to want to learn. They should be able to inspire children to want to do their best and reach their full potential.
Sample Answer: I believe that every child has the potential to succeed. I try to motivate my students by praising them when they do well and helping them understand why they did well. I also try to motivate my students by giving them challenges that they can overcome.
Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the candidate is in line with your school's philosophy on learning. A good teacher assistant will be able to explain their philosophy on learning and how it aligns with the school's.
Sample Answer: My philosophy on learning is that every child has a different way of absorbing information. Some children learn best by reading, others by listening and others by doing. I believe that every child should be exposed to a variety of methods so they can find what works best for them.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the candidate has a good understanding of the course they are applying for. The applicant should be able to describe the course in detail and explain why they are qualified to be a teacher assistant for this course.
Sample Answer: I have taken this course twice and received an A both times. I have also taken several other courses in this subject and received A's in all of them. I have a strong understanding of the material and I am confident that I can help students learn the material and succeed in this class.
Question Overview: The school playground is a place for children to play and have fun. Unfortunately, accidents happen. It's important that the teacher assistant knows how to react if a child is hurt while on the playground. This question will tell you if the candidate has experience dealing with emergency situations and how they handle them.
Sample Answer: If a child was hurt on the playground, I would first check to see if they were okay. If they were, I would ask them if they wanted to go inside and get an ice pack or if they wanted me to call their parents. If they were hurt badly, I would call 911 and stay with them until help arrived.
Question Overview: This question is a classic interview question, but it's still important to ask. It will give you insight into the candidate's personality and work ethic. It's important to hire someone who is a good fit for the school.
Sample Answer: My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am very patient and understanding. I am also very organized and have a knack for planning ahead. My weakness is that I am a perfectionist. I tend to overthink things and worry about the small details.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate reacts to conflict. It's important that they are able to effectively resolve conflicts and work with people in a professional manner.
Sample Answer: I have had issues with a former employee, but I was able to resolve the issue by talking with them and explaining my side of the story. They understood and we were able to move past it.