Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Regardless of your overall experience, having the proper skills and patience to teach students with special needs is part of what makes you so valuable.
After all, many of these students have complex physical, emotional, mental, and learning disabilities that wouldn’t be addressed in a typical classroom. With that in mind, the qualifications that an effective special ed teacher needs can be numerous, and in many ways, are incomparable to that of other teachers.
Employers know this, and will interview you with a critical eye. Remember, they want teachers that understand students who function and learn in non-typical ways.
Therefore, answering their questions in a professional and prepared manner, as well as showing that you have knowledge of special education teaching methods, will give you the best chance of moving forward in the hiring process.
This can be a bit overwhelming, considering all of the daily strategies you likely employ to help your kids. Maybe the thought of giving concise and straightforward answers in your interview seems overwhelming and difficult.
However, the more confident and prepared you are, the better you’ll be able to explain your strengths, strategies and methods.
Fortunately, this article will address common and important questions you may be asked in your interview, as well as provide sample answers you can use as a guide.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
When thinking about the kinds of questions you’ll be asked in your interview, it’s important to be mindful of the requirements and qualifications the hiring manager will be looking out for.
While odds are that you wouldn’t have received an interview unless you already have these requirements, you might still see them pop up in interview questions.
Generally speaking, you should have a recognized degree in Special Education, and/or several years of work experience. Expect the employer to ask about your educational background, as well as any relevant jobs you’ve had in the past. With that in mind, you’ll want to provide sample lesson plans from your previous work experience.
Overall, the hiring manager will be looking for a candidate who’s experienced with special ed students, as well as an inspiring teacher, excellent communicator, and empathetic listener. Their questions will reflect that.
During your interview, be on the lookout for behavioral and situational interview questions. These questions will give the employer vital information about your teaching experience, system knowledge and your overall thought process.
Behavioral interview questions. These questions will require you to offer more details about yourself and your experience. Think of questions like “tell me about yourself?” or ones that start with “tell me about a time when…”
When you answer these questions, you’ll have to highlight your strengths as much as possible and give straightforward answers.
Situational interview questions. These questions require you to hypothesize your response to a workplace situation or challenge. They test your judgment and decision making skills.
In the case of teaching a classroom, both types of questions are important and will crop up during your interview. The best way you can prepare is by thinking about your answers and potential examples beforehand.
Typically, you’ll be hit with one or more of these questions at the start of your interview. Be mindful of general questions so you can start your interview strong.
What experience do you have teaching?
Can you tell me about your educational background?
What inspired you to become a special ed teacher?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals?
What sets you apart from other candidates?
Why do you want to work with this school/district?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are some curriculums you’re familiar with?
What do you know about the IEP process?
Would you consider yourself an effective leader?
What are the biggest rewards and challenges that come with teaching special ed students?
Example Answer
Question: “What inspired you to become a special ed teacher?”
“When I was younger my best friend had AS, and I remember how ineffective and borderline cruel some of our teachers were when they worked with him. I always knew that I could do better, and provide a more understanding and positive environment for children with special needs.”
“I decided to pursue a degree in Special Education because my relationship with him inspired me. We’re still friends to this day, and I know we have a mutual sense of pride for how far we’ve both come.”
The way you choose to create and execute your lesson plans is a vital part of helping special ed students succeed. With that in mind, here are some common operational questions you’ll likely be asked:
Can you give me an example of one of your previous or potential lesson plans?
How would you differentiate between lessons?
How would you use your lessons to achieve state standards?
Do you have experience with individualized education programs (IEPs)?
How would you engage students?
How would you create a lesson plan that suits students of different ages?
What is your method for creating a new lesson plan?
Are there teaching strategies you prefer? If so, why?
Describe a time where you improved a failed lesson plan.
Example Answer
Question: “Can you give me an example of one of your previous or potential lesson plans?”
“When I was working as a special ed teacher for Williams Elementary School, I needed to teach my students a lesson in prehistory. I was well aware that many of my children struggled with traditional learning environments.”
“However, they all loved to fingerpaint, so I decided to incorporate ‘cave paintings’ into our lesson. Being able to paint their own cave paintings made it much easier for them to remember what they were taught about the prehistoric people and animals.”
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Whether you’re discussing your strategies with a parent or working to understand the quirks of your students, communication is a key skill for any special education teacher to have. Knowing that, here are some communication-related questions you might be asked during your interview:
Can you tell me about your experience supporting teamwork amongst students?
How would you communicate successfully with students? Especially non-verbal students.
How would you foster understanding between students?
Explain how you intend to keep communication open with parents.
How would you maintain a positive relationship with students and parents?
Describe a time you successfully motivated a student.
How would you report your classroom status and progress to the administration, supervisors, parents, and student services?
How would you communicate with and incorporate supporting staff in your lesson plans?
Example Answer
Question: “Explain how you intend to keep communication open with parents.”
“I know that parents play a huge role in the success of my children and that they want to stay updated on their child’s progress. Every quarter I like to send detailed progress reports to parents that highlight their child’s strengths and weaknesses.
“Additionally, I believe that it’s vital to open up communication before issues arise. For example, if I noticed that a student had a recorded history of nervous episodes, I would immediately reach out to the parents in order to gain further insight, as well as develop strategies going forward.”
As a special ed teacher, one of your most important goals will be helping your students succeed in the education system. For that reason, it’s important for you to monitor and report student progression.
Here are some common progression questions the hiring manager may ask:
Describe how you would support the strengths of your students.
How do you record important student data and progress?
In your opinion, what are the most important benefits of monitoring student progress?
What steps would you take to recognize student achievements?
Describe the most difficult student you’ve ever worked with and how you helped them succeed.
Describe an educational approach or strategy you support that helps special ed students succeed.
Have you been able to achieve state standards in the past?
How does the data you collect affect your lesson plans?
Example Answer
Question: “In your opinion, what are the most important benefits of monitoring student progress?”
“First and foremost, monitoring student progress allows me to stay on track with state standards. However, I also think that it’s important for all students, especially students with special needs, to see how far they’ve come.”
“I find that many of these students can feel frustrated with their disabilities, or misunderstood by the education system. Therefore, when I’m able to record their progress and show them how the lesson plans are helping them succeed, they can gain confidence and excel even more.”
Every classroom has its conflicts, but when you’re working with students who have special needs, it’s even more important to be mindful of issues when they arise.
Therefore, here are some conflict management and discipline-related questions you might be asked during your interview:
Describe how you would help improve student hygiene and boundaries.
If there was an issue between two of your students, what steps would you take to resolve the issue?
What is your strategy for calming down a distressed student?
If a student with a mental disability was being bullied for their disability, what would you do?
What do you do if there is a student or students that are refusing to follow directions?
What is your experience with de-escalating harmful situations?
In your opinion, what is the best way to handle discipline in the classroom?
What would you do if an angry or otherwise upset parent contacted you?
Example Answer
Question: “What is your strategy for calming down a distressed student?”
“When working with a student who’s become distressed, I would first evaluate the situation. Generally speaking, to calm the student effectively, I would then refer to their IEP, and any other information I know about their behaviors. Most commonly I find that playing music, going for a walk or just giving the student a quiet space can help significantly.”
“However, I know that I would need to take immediate action if there was any chance of self-harm, or someone else being hurt. This is why I find it especially important to avoid interference from other students, and try to distance them from the scene.”