Teacher Assistant Interview Questions & Answers
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:
- Communication skills
- Resourcefulness
- Patience
- Interpersonal skills
In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for Teacher Assistant 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 that you’re qualified for the job.
Communication skills
Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:
Teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.
Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!
Interpersonal skills
Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:
Teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
Related: What Does a STEAM Teacher Do?
Patience
Why interviewers are interested in your levels of patience:
Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult. Teacher assistants must be understanding with students.
Related: Youth Development Specialist
Resourcefulness
Why interviewers are interested in your resourcefulness:
Teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles.
(source: bls.gov)
Teacher Assistant 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 Teacher Assistant Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- How would you describe yourself?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What interests you about this position?
- Walk me through your resume.
- What motivates you?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- Describe your work ethic.
- What is your greatest strength?
- How does your experience qualify you for this job?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
- What are your expectations for this position?
- What are your career goals?
- Why should we hire you?
- What did you like most about your last position?
- What did you like least about your last position?
- How do you handle stress?
- What is your greatest accomplishment?
Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!
Examples Of Specific Teacher Assistant Behavioral Interview Questions
Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.
- Why do you want to be a teacher assistant and not a teacher?
- What do you consider the main responsibilities of a teacher assistant?
- How do you explain information to students who have different learning styles?
- What qualities can you bring to the teaching assistant role? Can you give examples of times you have successfully used these qualities?
- In your opinion, what role does a teaching assistant lay in the classroom?
- Do you think it’s important that kids find school fun and enjoyable? Why?
- Say the teacher does something that you disagree with, how would you handle this situation?
- How do you convince a child to complete an assignment that they do not want to do?
- What do you think makes a good lesson?
- How do you handle children that are disruptive during class?
Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.