Special Education Teacher Interview Questions & Answers

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Resourcefulness
• Interpersonal skills
• Critical-thinking skills
• Patience

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Special Education Teacher positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate your qualifications for the job.

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand. They also must write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and share students’ progress with general education teachers, counselors, other specialists, administrators, and parents.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Critical-thinking skills

Why interviewers are interested in your critical-thinking skills:

Special education teachers must be able to assess students’ progress and use the information to adapt lessons.

Related: Special Education Teacher Cover Letter Examples & Writing Guide

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Special education teachers regularly work with a team of educators and the student’s parents to develop IEPs. As a result, they need to be able to build positive working relationships.

Patience

Why interviewers are interested in your levels of patience:

Special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand the material.

Related: Special Education Teacher Interview Questions & Answers

Resourcefulness

Why interviewers are interested in your resourcefulness:

Special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meets their students’ needs. They also help general education teachers adapt their lessons to the needs of students with disabilities.

(source: bls.gov)

Special Education Teacher Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Special Education Teacher Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Special Education Teacher Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. In your opinion, what qualities make a good special education teacher? Why?
2. How would you handle a student if he or she was misbehaving and being disruptive in your class?
3. Describe to me how you assess the learning and behavioral progress of your students.
4. How do you establish procedures and rules to maintain order among your students?
5. Do you have any preferred special education methods of teaching? Can you describe them?
6. What is your experience with Individualized Education Plans (IEP)?
7. Give me an example of the creative activities that you have developed that your students liked.
8. Tell me about a time you designed a lesson plan that did not work out. Why didn’t it work, and how did you correct the situation?
9. Give me an example of a time you had to deal with a difficult parent. How did you handle the situation?
10. Describe to me how you track your responsibilities as a special education teacher?
11. How do you encourage your students to explore learning opportunities?
12. What do you consider the most challenging aspect of working as a special education teacher?
13. What actions would you take to integrate a student with learning disabilities in your classroom?
14. Describe a time you encountered a major challenge at work. What actions did you take to overcome that challenge?
15. Tell me about the most difficult student you ever worked with in your career. How did you work with them to succeed?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.