Special Education Teacher interview questions and answers
A Special Education Teacher works with children with physical, emotional, mental, and learning disabilities. Special Ed Teachers help students achieve important learning milestones by using various teaching methods tailored to the specific needs of each student.
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Find related jobs in Workable’s job boardInterviewing for a special education teacher position requires careful preparation and understanding of the unique skills and experiences required for this role.
Use this sample with commonly asked interview questions for Special Education Teachers to find the best hire for this role.
10 good special education teacher interview questions:
- Describe a lesson plan that you put together and implemented recently. Was it successful and how?
- Which teaching strategies do you prefer and why?
- What is your experience with Individualized Education Plans?
- What would you do to integrate a student with learning disabilities in the classroom?
- What methods do you use to maintain discipline in your classroom?
- Describe a time you encountered a major challenge at work, and what you did to overcome that.
- Tell us about how you include parents and support staff in the educational process.
- Describe the most difficult student you’ve ever worked with and why. How did you work with them to succeed?
- What do you enjoy most about teaching?
- Why did you choose to work with students with disabilities?
1. Describe a lesson plan that you put together and implemented recently. Was it successful and how?
This question assesses the candidate’s ability to design and execute effective lesson plans tailored to the needs of special education students.
Sample answer:
“I recently designed a lesson plan focused on improving social skills. We used role-playing activities to simulate real-life social situations. The students responded positively, and I noticed significant improvements in their interactions.”
2. Which teaching strategies do you prefer and why?
This question helps understand the teaching methods the candidate is comfortable with and how they adapt to the needs of special education students.
Sample answer:
“I prefer a mix of hands-on activities and direct instruction. Hands-on activities allow students to learn by doing, while direct instruction ensures they understand the concepts being taught.”
3. What is your experience with Individualized Education Plans?
This question probes the candidate’s familiarity with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), a crucial aspect of special education teaching.
Sample answer:
“I have extensive experience developing and implementing IEPs. I believe they are essential for addressing each student’s unique learning needs and ensuring their success.”
4. What would you do to integrate a student with learning disabilities in the classroom?
This question gauges the candidate’s ability to foster an inclusive learning environment.
Sample answer:
“I would ensure the student’s needs are met through accommodations and modifications. I would also educate the other students about learning disabilities to promote understanding and acceptance.”
5. What methods do you use to maintain discipline in your classroom?
This question explores the candidate’s classroom management skills.
Sample answer
“I use positive reinforcement and clear, consistent rules. I also believe in teaching students self-discipline skills, such as self-control and responsibility.”
6. Describe a time you encountered a major challenge at work, and what you did to overcome that.
This question assesses the candidate’s problem-solving skills and resilience.
Sample answer:
“I once had a student who was very disruptive. I worked closely with the student, their parents, and school counselors to develop a behavior plan, which significantly improved the student’s behavior.”
7. Tell us about how you include parents and support staff in the educational process.
This question evaluates the candidate’s ability to collaborate with others in the educational process.
Sample answer:
“I believe in regular communication with parents and support staff. I also involve them in IEP meetings and seek their input on the student’s progress and needs.”
8. Describe the most difficult student you’ve ever worked with and why. How did you work with them to succeed?
This question tests the candidate’s patience, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
Sample answer:
“I worked with a student who had severe behavioral issues. I collaborated with the school psychologist and the student’s parents to develop a behavior intervention plan. With patience and consistency, the student’s behavior improved over time.”
9. What do you enjoy most about teaching?
This question helps identify the candidate’s passion for teaching.
Sample answer:
“I enjoy seeing the progress my students make. It’s rewarding to know that I’m making a difference in their lives.”
10. Why did you choose to work with students with disabilities?
This question reveals the candidate’s motivation for choosing this career path.
Sample answer:
“I chose to work with students with disabilities because I believe in their potential. I find it rewarding to help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.”
Need more interview questions?
Generate a complete list in seconds with AIIn general, the best candidate for this position will hold a degree in Special Education and will have relevant work experience. Also, it’s an advantage if the candidate can present a sample of previous lesson plans they have developed to demonstrate their teaching methods.
The job interview is the perfect opportunity to search for qualities that are not easily found on resumes. For example, you can test for skills such as conflict management and effective communication which are important when dealing with classroom crises and emergencies. The right candidate will also have a positive personality and will be an advocate of issues such as equality, diversity, and inclusion in schools.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- Describe a lesson plan that you put together and implemented recently. Was it successful and how?
- Which teaching strategies do you prefer and why?
- What is your experience with Individualized Education Plans?
- What would you do to integrate a student with learning disabilities in the classroom?
- What methods do you use to maintain discipline in your classroom?
- Describe a time you encountered a major challenge at work, and what you did to overcome that.
- Tell us about how you include parents and support staff in the educational process.
- Describe the most difficult student you’ve ever worked with and why. How did you work with them to succeed?
Role-specific questions
- What do you enjoy most about teaching?
- Why did you choose to work with students with disabilities?
- What do you hope to contribute to the special education field?
- What’s the biggest challenge/reward in working with students who require special education?
- Why do you want to work in our school?
Behavioral questions
- How would you build or maintain a positive relationship with a frustrated or angry parent?
- Imagine you have a student with a moderate mental disability. You notice they’re being bullied by a classmate because of their condition, but they can’t defend themselves. What do you do?
More resources:
You can download a PDF of the special education interview questions below.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the top interview questions to test special education teacher skills?
- The top interview questions to test special education teacher skills include asking about their experience with Individualized Education Plans, their preferred teaching strategies, and how they handle classroom discipline.
- What is the best way to prepare for a special education teacher interview as an HR professional?
- The best way to prepare is to understand the unique skills and experiences required for the role. This includes knowledge of Individualized Education Plans, teaching strategies for students with special needs, and classroom management techniques.
- What are 3 qualities of a special education teacher?
- A special education teacher should possess patience to understand varied learning paces, empathy to connect with students facing challenges, and adaptability to tailor teaching methods to individual student needs.
- How can a special education teacher foster an inclusive learning environment?
- A special education teacher can foster an inclusive environment by integrating students with learning disabilities into the classroom, educating other students about learning disabilities, and ensuring the needs of all students are met.
- What are some red flags to look out for when interviewing a special education teacher?
- Red flags may include a lack of patience, poor communication skills, or a lack of genuine interest in working with students with disabilities. These may indicate that the candidate is not a good fit for the role.