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Effective communicator,both in writing and verbally. Critical thinking, language and problem-solving teacher
- English
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- English Literature
- Speed Reading
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Interview Question: “Why Do You Want To Teach?”
Interview Question: “Why Do You Want To Teach?”
Updated June 28, 2022
Three teachers help a group of four students with laptops seated at a long cafeteria table.
During an interview for a teaching position, employers ask several questions to gauge your commitment, effectiveness and passion for this highly demanding and rewarding career choice. You should prepare answers to common general and teaching-specific interview questions beforehand so that you can adequately express why you're the ideal candidate for that particular position and school.
In this article, we explain why employers ask "Why do you want to teach?," list steps for how to answer this interview question successfully and provide some examples of effective responses to this question.
Video: Why Do You Want This Job? Steps To the Best Answer
Taylor shares his strategy for creating a compelling 2-3 minute answer for this critical interview question.
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Why employers ask "Why do you want to teach?"
When they ask "Why do you want to teach?" interviewers really want to evaluate your passion for the profession and whether you are a good fit for that particular job and educational institution. An effective answer demonstrates a candidate's unique qualifications, skills, career path, professional goals and teaching philosophy.
Related: 16 Teacher Interview Tips
How to answer "Why do you to teach?"
are some steps to help you craft a successful answer to the interview question "Why do you want to teach?":
1. Be honest
A genuine and thoughtful response to this question reveals your dedication and motivations. Though you should refrain from mentioning the perks as a driving factor, such as having summers off, it's important that your answer is completely transparent. Everyone's career path is different so your response should be unique to you and your experiences. This allows interviewers to gain a better understanding of your personality and professionalism.
Related: Interview Question: “Why Do You Want This Job?”
2. Provide an anecdote
Use examples, stories and memories to explain your answer and provide context. Additionally, including a personal anecdote can make your answer more memorable and, therefore, effective. You can either draw from impactful moments in your teaching career or a time when you taught someone something before you had decided to become a teacher.
Related: 8 Types of Useful Stories for Interviews
3. Detail your reasons for becoming a teacher
A teacher can take on many roles in the lives of their students, such as a surrogate parental figure, a mentor, a leader or a motivator. Make sure to mention the kind of impact you're hoping to have on your students' lives.
Related: 50 Teacher Interview Questions (Plus 11 Example Answers)
4. Talk about your favorite teacher
This interview question tends to naturally lead to another common question about your favorite teacher in school. Kickstart this conversation by talking about the best teacher you ever had, how they inspired you or changed your life and why their impact was so meaningful to you. Aside from providing insight into your career goals, the characteristics of your favorite teacher that you mention can give employers a good idea of the type of teacher that you are and aspire to be.
Related: 32 Questions to Ask Your Interviewer in a Teacher Interview
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Example answers
You can use these effective example answers as you craft your own response to the interview question "Why do you want to teach?:"
Example 1: Inspiring teacher
Example 2: Teaching philosophy
Example 3: Memorable teaching moment
Example 4: Impact on the educational system
Example 5: Empowering students
Example 1: Inspiring teacher
"My 11th grade English teacher, Mrs. Aman, was a huge inspiration to me. She is one of the primary reasons that I developed such a love for literature, and absolutely one of the major reasons that I decided to pursue teaching as a career. Her teaching style was humorous and personable, while still incredibly passionate about the subject. I hope that I can create a classroom that encourages my students to have fun while learning the same way that she was able to."
Related: How To Ace a Teacher Interview (With Common Questions)
Example 2: Teaching philosophy
"I struggled a great deal in elementary school to learn how to read, and I remember feeling so lost and confused because I just didn't understand why I wasn't getting it. My teacher, Mrs. Armstrong, began tutoring me after school, and she quickly realized that the root of my problem was that I was struggling to grasp the concept of hard and soft sounds. She began using sandpaper to show me the difference, and it worked. I've always been so grateful for her innovation and commitment to meet me where I was, values that I strive to use in my own teaching."
Related: Interview Question: "What Is Your Teaching Philosophy?"
Example 3: Memorable teaching moment
"During my first year of teaching, I was tasked with a student that seemed uninterested and aloof. I continued to give him individual attention and try out new tactics to try and get him involved. Eventually, after much trial and error, I decided to create a sort of game show for the kids about the lesson, and the entire classroom loved it. When it was his turn, he answered a question about biomes correctly, and the joy I felt reassured me that I had chosen the right career."
Related: A Guide on What To Bring to a Teaching Interview
Example 4: Impact on the educational system
"I want to become a teacher so that I can make a real difference in children's lives. I take the task of developing young people into kind, thoughtful and contributing adults very seriously. I have always been so grateful to my teachers and the educational system for making me the person that I am today. I only hope that I can make that same kind of positive impact on the minds and hearts of my students."
Related: 11 Teacher Interview Questions for Classroom Scenarios
Example 5: Empowering students
"So many children need love, reassurance and attention, and I strive to be that person that builds them up when no one else ever has. I want to not only tell, but show my students that with commitment and hard work, they are capable of anything and can be anything that they want to be. I hope to create a safe place for the children in my classroom, where teamwork and empathy are rewarded just as enthusiastically as a good test score. Through love and understanding, I believe that I can help students achieve their highest potential."
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I give verbal praise for successful progress or accomplishment, I make sure my students understand me, I make sure my students pass. I provide informative,helpful feedback when it is immediately useful and I teach with love and respect. Having me as your teacher is blessing.
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